May 3^rd
"A bullfinch and two canaries I had bought in Japan died."

"We have two Japanese Lieutenants in the squadron. One in the flagship, and another in the Phoebe. They are coming to England with us for instruction."

"Our running has been first rate just 28 days doing 4300 miles. The last two days we experienced head winds but Saturday 14^th we entered the straights of St Juan de Fuca and Sunday 15^th sailed into Esquimalt harbour the entrance to which is very narrow."

"Found here the HM Ships Zealous iron clad frigate bearing the flag of Admiral Farquhar, the Charybdis a corvette and the gun vessels Sparrowhawk & Boxer."

"The harbour is very small and like the rest of the island densely wooded with pine trees. Went onshore as soon as we anchored to have a walk by night and managed to reach Victoria the capital. It is a dirty tumbledown looking place a great portion of the inhabitants being Yankee. All they think about is the almighty dollar then the Hudson Bay Company."

The Squadron in Esquimalt Bay

"Have great fur stores here but furs are just as expensive as they would be in England. I found going out to the lakes fishing was the best amusement and very profitable as I generally had good sport. The lakes are very picturesque situated down in valleys surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and the walk there by a trail through the wood is delightful."

"The Indians about here are very ugly in fact a loathsome race altogether. I purchased a brown bear skin off one and he wanted me to throw a bottle of rum into the bargain. They are all very fond of spirits but there is a heavy fine for anyone found selling it to them as they commit so many depredations when under the influence of liquor."

"There is a small island in the middle of the channel called St Juan which the Americans and ourselves claim so we each have a party of marines on it."

Indian Chiefs and their wives

May 24^th
"Queens birthday, dressed ship, general holiday went to see the horse races at Victoria they were very good for the place. I enjoyed myself very much especially the Naval officers races. Went to the theatre in the evening. The governor gave a ball also but I did not attend it."

May 25^th
"Departed this life of disease of the lungs � William Deake."

"A regatta took place in the squadron which was attended by numbers of people who came round from Victoria by steamer. The town of Esquimalt is only a collection of small houses but there is one small Naval club."

"Our fellows amused themselves very well what with fishing and shooting (there were a few deer shot). We live mostly on venison and Salmon (the harbour abound with the latter)."

"We heard here we were not going to call at Tahiti owing to some political disturbance."

May 28^th
"Steamed out of Esquimalt harbour Charybdis in company. She is coming with us as far as Valparaiso, Scylla having been left behind. Steamed for 8 hours and then made sail with splendid NW winds. Find the Charybdis rather a dull sailor but the squadron managed to get through 1200 miles in the first week. "

June 6^th
"Winds fallen light, hove too and exchanged Naval Instructors. Most of this week was spent in fleet manoeuvring. Admiral inspected Charybdis. Wind freshened as we approached the Islands."

Indians at Prayer

Gold diggings Cariboo British Columbia 1

Forest Scene, British Columbia

Indian Chief's Grave (Click on image to see a larger version)

¹     In the 1860's, the Colony of British Columbia came to the attention of the world. Gold had been discovered on Fraser's River and in Cariboo - land occupied by Salish and Chilcotin Indians, as well as by fur trappers and traders. The search for gold was a major force in opening British Columbia for settlement and in shaping the landscape, government and laws.

© Copyright Charles Fountain May 2002

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