SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Alfie Kamitakahara : Japanese in Steveston - community life and evacuation RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1972?-08-15 SUMMARY: Alfie Kamitakahara discusses the Japanese and their community life in Steveston, and their evacuation during World War II. [Very little documentation is available for this tape.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Asamatsu Murakami RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1972-03-09 & 15 SUMMARY: Asamatsu Murakami was born in 1885 in Japan. Came to Steveston in 1898 with his older brother. Went to school for half a year, then engaged in fishing all his life except during the war, when he and his family when to Alberta to work for a sugarbeet farm. His oldest son is a fisherman.

SUMMARY: "The Hornby Collection" is an anthology of plays, documentaries, interviews and selected fiction for radio -- all written, prepared and produced in British Columbia. "Cancer Magister, or Crab Fishing ;on the West Coast": Jurgen Hesse interviews individuals involved in the crab fishing industry in Steveston and Sidney, BC.;

PERIOD COVERED: ;1899;-;1901 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1969-06-26 SUMMARY: E.K. "Ned" DeBeck is introduced by the president of the B.C. Historical Association. Mr. DeBeck recalls his experiences at the Canadian Scottish Cannery at Steveston, and related events during the years 1899 to 1901.

RECORDED: [location unknown], [1962 or earlier] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Captain Douglas talks about his early years on the sea; his impression of the harbours in Vancouver and Steveston in 1897; a concert at Steveston; and the Klondike Gold Rush. He describes Vancouver in the 1890s, streetcars; roads; the fire; and transportation. He recalls his cousin, B.C. Lieutenant Governor Sir Henri Gustave Joly de Lotbiniere. He discusses his career with the English merchant marine. TRACK 2: Captain Douglas continues with his recollections about his career in the merchant marine; he describes the CPR liner "Empress of Asia" [on which he served as chief officer]; recalls the war years; describes the Victoria of 1905, and the north shore [of Burrard Inlet?].

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Charles Deagle RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1976-03-07 SUMMARY: Charles Deagle discusses his father, Billy Deagle, who worked for B.C. Electric as a conductor for 39 years. His father would take trainloads of halibut out of the cold storage plant in Steveston and take them to Vancouver. Discusses how his father brought the first trainload of Japanese to Steveston during the fishing strike in which the militia were used. The Japanese were brought in to break the strike. There wasn't another strike until 1936. Stagecoaches used to run out of Steveston. Describes early Steveston and Richmond, noting buildings, locations, people, and businesses. Discusses the several fires in Steveston. He attended Lord Byng school. Everybody got along well in the town because they were all busy making a living. Lots of drinking and bootlegging in those days. Big train station in Steveston at one time with freight shed. Discusses Moffat & Martin which imported Model T Ford cars and Ford tractors by the trainload. Moffat was a smart operator and Martin was on the work end. One year Moffat sold so many cars that Henry Ford gave him an especially built car as a bonus. The Japanese are good neighbours and good people. When WWII broke out it was terrible for the Japanese people. He entrusted with many belongings including 4 new cars, to look after until the war ended. He kept all of these until the custodian made him give them up. Some people thought that the Japanese were a threat during the War but they did not really know them. He lived with them and did not see them as anything but good people. After the War the canneries helped get the Japanese back into the industry by providing boats and gear. He built boats for Nelson Brothers at an old American army base in Port Edward. Later he became a fish buyer, and discusses his success. Unions and co-ops. Discusses pollution in the Fraser River. The Gulf of Georgia is just a big septic tank. He was so competitive to the companies that the cannery manager wouldn't talk to him during the fish season.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Charles Dumont RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1976-04-06 SUMMARY: Charles Dumont began fishing on Lesser Slave Lake in northern Alberta. Used small open boats and also ice fished. The nets were set, anchored on the bottom; they don't drift like in the ocean. Caught whitefish, pickerel, jack-fish, and suckers. Most of the fishermen were Metis Indian fishermen, and Whites. Low prices for fish. There were no canneries; they were all shipped fresh and frozen in refrigerated railway cars. Fishing not like in B.C.; you move to a deeper part of the lake as the weather gets warmer. They fished the lake out by using herring nets; of course they killed everything. The fish buyer became a millionaire, so he must have been getting something out of it. They brought in fish spawn from other lakes and hatched it in the hatchery and brought the fish back. He was in Vancouver during the Depression. There were squatters shacks in False Creek. When he came to Vancouver in 1940 he went to work for Evans and Coleman and there was a lot of work then. He fished dogfish during the War, and he fished soup-fish (?) in the Hecate Straits which Canadian Fish Co. bought and used the liver from. He stopped work in 1960 when his back gave way. He lived in Steveston behind the present (1976) hotel. Company houses were poor but inexpensive. The Japanese had been evacuated during the War and when they returned they received a rough reception in Steveston. Steveston history. Working in the net loft. Discusses the union. Discusses canneries in operation during the 1940s. He fished the Skeena and all the way up to Portland Canal. Fishing is hard work and you have to work hard to make the money. Nylon nets are better than linen ones. Used to be all dairy farming in Steveston; now it's all built up and all that farm is lost.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Charlie Gillespie RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1973-02-23 SUMMARY: Charlie Gillespie was born in 1916 in Vancouver. His dad started in a cannery in 1910, and worked his way up to manager. Lived on Sea Island his whole life. When three canneries joined together to make B.C. Packers in 1928, his father was made the manager of the Fraser River District. Remembers going to Star Cannery and looking out the window at the boats going out on a Sunday night. The boats had sails in those days, and they fished both night and day. More boats now (1976). Worked in the net loft one summer when he was young. Helped fill the net needles so the men could make the nets. Three years later in 1932, started work in the Great Northern Cannery in North Vancouver for 3 years. Worked in the boiler, and on the lines, then was night watchman for a while. All cannery machinery was owned by American Can Co., canneries only leased them. Discusses wages. When to the Skeena River for two years, and worked for Oceanic Cannery on Smith Island. Looked after the retort machine and the oil and gas shed. In 1937 came back down to Steveston to work in the Imperial Cannery, pipe fitting and working with the engineer, also did carpenter work. Worked in a reduction plant one winter doing odd jobs. Then went to warehouse for 2 or 3 years. No fork lifts in those days, salmon moved by hand. Bought a gillnetter, and went fishing with his dad one season. Didn't catch much fish that year, and only fished one season. After that he went to work in the stores department at Imperial. All canneries had their own stores where they sold all supplies to the fishermen. When the store closed in 1965 he moved to the stock room. Discusses the work of Chinese workers in canneries. Canning fish by hand. Describes canning. Discusses company houses. Japanese workers. Unions. Discusses employment by canneries, month to month, and season to season.

This series consists of correspondence related to police patrol vessel on the Fraser River during fishing seasons. Includes
a record of activities of a police patrol vessel on the Fraser River during fishing seasons 1904 to 1907. Vessels mentioned in the records include the S.S. City of Tipella, 1904; S.S. Sonoma, 1905; S.S. Tasmanian, 1906; S.S. Annie, 1907. Other records include correspondence inward, 1905-1907; and lists of fishermen, 1906.

The DeBeck family were residents of Victoria, B.C. Edwin Keary DeBeck was Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of B.C. (1949-1973).

The records consist of personal correspondence, notes, reminiscences by Edwin DeBeck and his relatives; essays on Indians of the British Columbia coast.

Photographs transferred to Visual Records, accession 198206-100. Published material transferred to BC Archives Library, see box 2, file 16.

Related records in 198202-19; 198202-42; 197909-10

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Edna Tremeer RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1976-01-08 SUMMARY: Edna Tremeer worked on Quadra Island in 1932 and came to Steveston in 1948. In 1932, every job was done by hand except can cutting. Kids were tied to their mother's backs. Worked from 7 am to 12 am at night, no overtime. Better quality of fish then. No day-care. Describes "steam-box" a vacuum packer. Describes the steps in processing the fish from tallyman to packing, took about 4 hours to complete and cans had to be lacquered. Women paid less than men. Non-Indians get a guaranteed income. Whites and non-whites kept separate. Piecework was more profitable, no quota set. Had dances in the net loft. The internment of Japanese during WWII allowed the native people to make more money.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Edwin DeBeck Interview RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1974 SUMMARY: T0271:0001-0003 comprise a three-part interview about DeBeck's life, conducted by Inez O'Reilly. Topics include his early years in New Westminster and Vancouver; his work at the Canadian Scottish Cann;ery in Steveston; his later life at and around Alert Bay, where his father was Indian Agent (1903-1906); his experiences as a defense lawyer during the Potlatch trials in the 1920s; experiences as Sup;erintendent of Brokers and Inspector of Credit Unions (1937-1940); and Clerk of Legislative Assembly (1940 -).;

CALL NUMBER: T0445:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Iverson recalls his work on the Sumas Lake dredging project and the King Edward Dredge. He talks about his family; his Norwegian father; his early life; his father's work as a fisherman; arriving at Sunbury in 1901; riverboats; living in scow houses; Collingwood; Tronjeim (Little Norway); Norwegian fishermen. TRACK 2: Mr. Iverson continues discussing the community of Norwegian fishermen; Mr. George Mackie; other ethnic groups in the area; Chinese workers in the canneries; canneries along the lower Fraser River; methods of fishing; Easthope brothers engines; setting nets.

CALL NUMBER: T0445:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Iverson discusses gillnetting and seining methods; Steveston; canneries; Annieville; selling fish; contracts with canneries; fish runs of 1913; salmon prices; nets. [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Eva Vaselenek RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1976-01-13 SUMMARY: Eva Vaselenek began work in 1943 at the Phoenix Cannery because her little girl was sick; washed and then inspected fish as they went into the cans, got paid thirty-five cents an hour. There was no union at the time. Next season she went to the Gulf of Georgia plant to work on herring. Then later to Imperial Cannery. Couldn't count on hours, depended upon whether the fish were in or not. You could sit around all day and not get paid. That changed with the union. Worked at Imperial Cannery filleting for one year. Next year became a supervisor. Describes the first organization of the union at the Imperial Cannery. Began holding meetings with management. Cannery workers became part of the U.F.A.W.U. but negotiations remained separate. Advantages of union. The return of Japanese fishermen after the War. Discusses Indian women who chose to remain outside the union, they joined the Native Brotherhood. Finally she did sign the Indian women to the union. She describes the company's reaction to her organizing attempts, and confrontation. She had to fight for every wage increase. Safety features slowly improved. Remained at the Imperial plant until 1968. Different species of fish described. She describes the changes in mechanization in the plant and dangers in the fresh fish part and the fish and chip line. Used to be a big difference in men's and women's wages, but that has changed. Describes early incident of discrimination against women. Describes the living conditions of cannery workers. Houses were rented to the workers, social conditions, dances, Christmas party, children's conditions -- no day care. Steveston is described as a "real bad place". Her children came to the cannery so she could keep an eye on them. Was laid off at 65. Her five children are all well educated now (1976). Story of being threatened by a hammer-wielding captain. Describes hectic union meetings and her ability to control them. Comments on drinking problems and liquor licenses during prohibition.

Newsreel tootage. The record commercial salmon season of 1958 is illustrated with a sequence showing a seiner setting its net and hauling it in, brailing the salmon aboard, and unloading it onto a packer ship at the BC Packers wharf in Steveston. Gill netter feleet at anchor.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1972-02-20 SUMMARY: Frank Nishi discusses the Japanese in Steveston; internment; life after the war; fishing rights; record runs of sockeye; cannery fire; Lethbridge. [Very little documentation is available for this tape;.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Geiri Sigurgeirson RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976-01-21 SUMMARY: Geiri Sigurgeirson was 83 at the time of interview in 1976, a former sailor. He was born at Lake Winnipeg at Gimli, an Icelandic community. Not much education. Came to B.C. in 1942 and worked in the cannery as a carpenter, then went to the Skeena River in 1943 and built boats there. He calls himself a boat-builder, a boat-designer; he sailed boats with his dad when he was 9 years old. Shows photos of his first boat "The Tempest". Story of the building of the boat, made with a cabin big enough to stand up in and all the other boat builders laughed at his boat saying it would blow over. Three boats went out, two blew over, the other one, his boat, towed the other two back in. The next day 3 or 4 fellows came and asked him to build them a boat! He took a boat designing course in 1910 and talks of designing the "Olympic" which took 3 years. You need to be a sailor to design a boat. He is a skipper with his captain's papers who has been all over the world. Boats got heavier, beamier and wider. Those that copied his designs ie: when he introduced the square stern, they were all double enders. He built the first square stern in 1943 on the Skeena River. He changed the whole style of boats on the west coast. Boats are mostly of fibreglass now (1976). Building is easier with modern tools and machines. Last boat he built was "Noble Savage". The companies did not like him building at less than their price. Steveston in 1943: mostly farming, potatoes, corn, cows and chickens. Large Japanese community before WWII and then they returned there was some reluctance to accept them. Discussion of the politics of the Japanese return. Steveston is a rough place now (1976), crowded, bigger but not better. Not a large Indian community. He also put the first Flare on the bow of the boat. Early boats were $2,000.00. The "Tempest" was $3,500.00 with a car engine. He was in the Navy during WWI and took convoys to Iceland for 2 to 3 years. (tape garbled, slow speed). Where boats are built now.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1972 SUMMARY: George Mackie discusses early Steveston and Richmond. [Very little documentation is available for this tape.];

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Harry Thompson RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1976-04-07 SUMMARY: Harry Thompson was born and raised in Steveston at No. One Road and Steveston Highway. His father worked on the original Steves' Farm, for Harold Steves' grandfather. Later, his father acquired his own farm between Georgia St. and 6th Avenue. They had about 15-18 cows and a milk delivery route. Harry delivered the unprocessed, raw milk on the route, which was about 15 deliveries. They stayed in the milk business until sanitation regulations during the War forced them out of the business, so they began shipping all the milk to be processed in Vancouver. Harry started fishing at age 12 in 1936 with his older brother in a skiff. Their father made a deal with a Japanese farmer and they got a fish net for the good run in 1936, it was a linen net. Their father had a license which allowed them to fish. In 1938 he went to Rivers Inlet with an old fellow to fish. He fished for Goose Bay Cannery. In the daytime they fished along the shore, at night they moved into the middle of the inlet and turned on their lamps; it was like a little city, they were kind of lost. There were many Native fishermen and cannery workers, and a few Chinese and Scandinavian people. Their first boat was the "S.S. Box", an old square thing, with a Model T Ford engine sawn in half and one cylinder running. They never went out of sight of Steveston, and did most of their fishing in the mouth of the river. Recalls fishing stories. His family never lacked food or clothing during the Depression, but his parents worked hard. Discusses different boats owned and profits. The Japanese internment during WWII. Changes that resulted in fishing and Steveston after the Japanese were evacuated. His wife worked in the cannery for Canadian Fish when he met her. Discusses new nylon nets and equipment. Fishing for halibut. Joining the Union, 1944-45. Changes in the fishery over the years. Discusses the reasons for the many accidents in the recent herring fishery.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Helen Zesko RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1976-01-09 SUMMARY: Helen Zesko started working for B.C. Packers in 1940 at age 16, washing fish, filleting fish and running machines. New filling machines installed in 1942. Work conditions tough in 1948 (cold, etc.) Canning done by hand (salmon and herring). Many women employed then but less women now (1976) due to machinery. Describes "hand filling". Started work at $0.20 /hour in 1940. No compensation in 1940. Used to be more men than women due to heavy work. Work has improved in canneries -- safety regulations, heating. There were bunkhouses in 1940. Camps were made of regular houses. No children under age 16 working for B.C. Packers in 1940. All people (Japanese, whites, Indians) paid same rate except pieceworkers who made more. Women made 20 cents and hour while men made 30 cents. Describes a machine called the "gang knives" used for the 1/4 lb. cans. Oysters and clams began to be processed in 1950 and ended in 1960. Cannery work went on normally but busily during the War. Cannot remember any unusual or interesting events in cannery history since 1940. Some of the work in the cannery is demanding depending on what you are doing. Work in the canneries has improved 100%. Has enjoyed working in the cannery.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Hideo Kokubo : modern life in Steveston RECORDED: Steveston (B.C.), 1973-01-17 SUMMARY: Hideo Kokubo discusses how Steveston was no longer a Japanese town following the Second World War. The Japanese and white people mingled and the white population increased. The Japanese find their pre;sent life (1973) far more enjoyable than prior to the war.;

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Fishing out of Steveston PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1972 RECORDED: Steveston (B.C.), 1972-10 SUMMARY: Three fishermen from Steveston comment on their lives in the fishing industry. Hideo Maeda's father was a barber in Richmond, while Hideo Kokubo and Samejima Toshiharu's fathers were Steveston fisherm;en. Hideo Maeda has one brother who is a fisherman, while two of Samejima's brothers are as well. They do not mind being fishermen. Great improvement in living conditions since World War II. Best equi;ped fishing boats owned by them. Their children have higher education than themselves and will not be fishermen. [Recorded outdoors, poor sound.];