Transcription Page

Lee Sam

As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, we’ve digitized a small selection of inquests and inquiries from 1872 to 1934, found in series GR-0431. These were chosen to reflect the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to B.C. – their living and working conditions, and their unfortunate accidental or unusual deaths.   They range from a woman working in a brothel in Barkerville who died of natural causes to three sawmill workers who died from malnutrition. Learn more.

*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person. 

BC Archives GR-0431

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.

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was a sidewheel steamer. The Rithet is a stern wheel steamer. The Enterprise drew the most water. There is plenty of sea-room off the Point. I was keeping in close to avoid the tide. There was half a mile searoom on the other side from the Point. It might have been an hour after the collision that I went on board the wreck. I pulled round her in the boat and then went on board the Western Slope which towed her into Cadborough Bay. When the wreck had grounded in the Bay I went on board it. There were a number of passengers on the Enterprise. The forward boat on the port side was cut off by the Rithet. the starboard boat aft was lowered by McDonald a deck hand. The port boat aft was lowered by another man. The Enterprise carried five boats - all in good working order - none of them were smashed. I did not see any one in the water except the two Frenchmen and some Indians, all of whom were taken on board the Rithet. I saw a number of people in the boats. There were 7 boats in the water altogether, and 2 or 3 canoes. I cannot swim and therefore could not board the wreck until I got a boat. I then pulled round the wreck but did not board it. I saw a bullock in the after saloon above water. I saw no reason for going on board - saw nothing to save.

To Mr. Irving. The Rithet struck us on the port bow. Our general practice is to keep to the shore in

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BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 4 File 1 / BRITISH COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

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