Item AAAB2293 - Barney Johnson interview

CALL NUMBER: T2101:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1950 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-05-28 SUMMARY: Barney Johnson was born in Vancouver. His father was a well known waterfront figure. Grandfather was manager of the Marble Bay Mine at Van Anda and he remembers Chinese workers there and Union Steamships calling in. Talks about Pacific Salvage Company, towboating, the "Lorne" in a mishap at the Second Narrows, Westward Towing Co., Standard Oil of B.C., Royal Canadian Navy, father's career on the Grand Trunk boats and in the pilotage. At age 14, Barney Johnson was lookout man on the "Prince Rupert". Talks about towing Davis rafts across Hecate Strait, the first log barge, Hecate Strait Towing. CALL NUMBER: T2101:0002 PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1950 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-06-22 SUMMARY: Barney Johnson describes early use of barges for logs, the Canadian Merchant Marine on the west coast, "Canadian Farmer" running down to Los Angeles, "Boronite" trip to Hawaii with Christmas trees and grain during the U.S. west coast waterfront strike, Imperial Oil ships such as the "Vancolite", accident at the Second Narrows bridge, Pacific Salvage Company, passenger liners using Vancouver harbour. Father was master of the "Prince Rupert" and headed a rival pilotage service for Vancouver in the early 1920s. CALL NUMBER: T2101:0003 PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1950 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-07-08 SUMMARY: Barney Johnson describes methods of selling marine fuel in Coal Harbour, father's career with the Union Steamship Company, the Grand Trunk Pacific, Boscowitz Steamship Company and experiences during World War I. Father established B.D. Johnson-Walton Company which was Lloyds Agent in Vancouver and also shipping agent for several deep sea companies including Standard Oil and East Asiatic. Member Vancouver Chamber of Shipping. Describes "Stephen's Folly", first grain elevator. Vancouver harbour: bulk shipment of pot ash and sulphur. Also talks about Hastings Mill, lumber handling, Griffiths Steamship Company, Pacific Salvage Company, "Anyox", the "Lorne" and use of old sailing ship hulls. CALL NUMBER: T2101:0004 PERIOD COVERED: 1920-1950 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-07-08 SUMMARY: Barney Johnson describes use of old Dollar Line hulls for moving logs down the coast, the salvage of the main span of the Second Narrows Bridge by Pacific Salvage. "Salvage King". Describes changes in tug boat technology and design. Conversion of tugs from oil fired steam to diesel, log towing and booms. Conversions of the "G.E. Foster" and "Northshore".