Editorially speaking...
Better late than never...
Last week, I complained that Nanaimo doesn’t really remember or honour its coal mining history when the 135th anniversary of the No. 1 Esplanade Mine disaster, the second worst in Canadian history, passed without a word in the NewsBulletin.
(As it happened, this year’s anniversary coincided with the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and maimed on the job. Seriously, couldn’t editorial staff see a connection?)
The following issue of the paper, May 11, more than a week after the anniversary, belatedly acknowledged this epic historic event with the headline, “Nanaimo remembers mine disaster.”
The six-inch-long piece noted that the City had observed the occasion by flying flags at city locations at half-mast. Mayor Leonard Krog (a friend of history, I know from when he was a local MLA during my days of campaigning to save the Morden Tipple/Headframe) said in a statement, “We will all take a moment on May 3 to remember the many lives lost in this tragic event.”
The City’s press release acknowledged the horrendous impact of the disaster: 150 men of a population of 2000 killed; 46 women widowed; 126 children orphaned.
Nanaimo citizens and visitors were encouraged to tour the virtual coal mine in the Nanaimo Museum to learn more about the city’s coal mining history.
They can also visit the semi-restored Morden Colliery tipple at South Wellington.
Last week’s post on “Hell Ships” inspired friend and reader, Bill Irvine to write this detailed comment:
Thanks, Tom for another edition of the Chronicles for May 5 2022
You had many interesting items to read but I zeroed in the “Hell Ships” as I referenced its conditions during researching and publishing the “Irvines in Victoria BC — since 1851”, published in 1996
Tom wrote: “This was when it was accepted internationally that a ship’s captain was little short of God. He was to be obeyed, instantly and without question—period.”
After referencing the book: “H.M.S. Virago in the Pacific 1851-58” by G. P. V. & Helen B. Akrigg, I learned that prior to 1851 the Virago — under contact to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) — had made land in Valparaiso, Chile, where the passengers mutinied to the extent they would not reembark on to Vancouver Island, their initial destination. Conditions in those days were, without a doubt, horrific.
Reportedly, because of this debacle the HBC implemented a policy that any future ships carrying HBC servant[s] to the New World would not make land under any circumstances. This item was germane to the report about the Irvines et al who sailed aboard the Barque Tory in 1850 because it did make land in Cape Verde's Port Pago docks, December 7th 1850.
The Tory's Captain Duncan was able to escape the wrath of the company's directors due to the fact he had three other HBC ranking captains on board his ship. They being Capt. William Mitchell (to take command of the Beaver); Capt. James Cooper, supercargo and Capt. Langford.
As you recall, Tom, there are some references to the Virago being used as a prison ship (jail?) upon its arrival at Nanaimo. I do not have those references at hand.
One of the early customers for Nanaimo coal was HMS Virago. The Virago was a wooden paddle-wheeled steam sloop, about 180-feet long. Under favourable conditions, the ship was sailed, but if necessary, it could proceed under steam at up to 9½ knots. The British Royal Navy’s Pacific Station at that time was in Valparaiso, Chile, but the difficulties with the United States over the border had made Esquimalt an increasingly important port of call from 1848 onward.
In December 1852, HMS Virago left Valparaiso on a long cruise to Vancouver Island, via Callao, Peru; Pitcairn Island; Tahiti; and Hawaii. After a very stormy passage, the vessel arrived in Esquimalt on April 17, 1853. The captain was James Prevost.” — Nick Doe
Thanks for all you do, Tom. What would British Columbia history look like without you? Sad.
Reference cited:
H.M.S. Virago in the Pacific 1851-58 G. P. V. & Helen B. Akrigg
Citations: Around the Island in 1853, SHALE 1, pp.36–40, by Nick Doe, November 2000
https://www.nickdoe.ca/pdfs/Webp272c.pdf
P.S. I know this is too much information (TMI) so no reply is necessary.
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My reply:
Thanks, Bill, you obviously put time and thought into this and I welcome readers' (and friends') input.
I'd bet the family jewels that there are merchant ships today that fly under so-called 'flags of convenience' with third world crews who are almost as abused as their predecessors in the "good old days".
That said, I encourage readers to share their thoughts on our history which, I remind them, is alive and well and happening all around us.
Until next week...cheers, TW.