Item AAAB1970 - John Muir interview

CALL NUMBER: T1795:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: John Muir brought steam trawler "Orantas" from Great Britain to Kildonan Cannery on Vancouver Island. Cannery was owned by Wallace Brothers. Collected fish on the west coast 1912-1913. Loaded coal for; bunkers in the "Empress of India". Was hired off the dock to work on the Union Steamship Company boat "Cowichan". Aboard "Coquitlam" in 1918 when it struck rock in Drumlommon Inlet. Rescued longshoreman from the River Clyde. Describes navigating in the fog. "Chelosin" wrecked on Siwash Rock. Describes stops along the Skeena River.;

CALL NUMBER: T1795:0002 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: John Muir describes calling at canneries up and down the coast, Nass River and Skeena River. Describes making landings, freight handling, navigation in the fog. Union steamship runs aground near Powell River. Entering Vancouver harbour in the fog. People on the coast helped in finding docks and floats by putting their own "navigation lights" out. Seymour Narrows was a difficult spot. Settlers at Cape Scott.;

CALL NUMBER: T1795:0003 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: John Muir describes difficult places to navigate such as the Skeena River flats and the Seymour Narrows. Capt. C.B. Smith runs the "Chilliwack" aground to balance a cargo of ore from Surf Inlet. Problems of avoiding fish boats and fishing nets during salmon season. Crossing Hecate Strait for Moresby Island in foul weather. Was founding member of Canadian Merchant Service Guild. CMSG strikes in 1917. Later went ashore as Union Steamship Company shore superintendent. Japanese firemen were not re-hired after 1935 strike. Brought machinery from Surf Inlet mine to site of proposed mine at Khutze Inlet.;

CALL NUMBER: T1795:0004 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: John Muir describes the "Cassiar", an ex-sailing ship, logging camps and the changes which took place with the formation of large forestry companies, seeing whales on the north coast, difficulties of maneuvering with single screw vessels, problems of navigation during fishing season, especially when there were shadows at night thrown by the moon.