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.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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coming from New West. We were as close to the Point as it is safe to run. If there is no whistle blown the port side is the proper side to pass. One whistle mean's to pass on the port side - that is - each vessel has its port side towards the other. The Rithet had a quarter of a mile of searoom off the Point. She struck us between 2 and 3 points on the bow. We has run in the flood tide about 200 yards when the collision occurred. The forecastle was under water in 15 seconds after the collision. The after room in which the bodies were found must have been under water in two minutes after the collision. It was used for Indians and the Chinese cooks - sometimes for lumber. Everything was working well. Four boats were on the davits and one on the top of the salon. The boats were all well furnished and the davits worked properly. I have worked the Rithet. She answers her helm well and quickly. I am properly certificated, and so is my mate Leech. About 30 seconds before the collision I saw it was inevitable.
To Mr. Garraway. Passengers had no right in the room in which the bodies were found.
George Rudlin
The above depositions of Lee Yee, John Chipp, William Ingram and George Rudlin were severally taken upon oath and acknowledged at the place first above mentioned on the fourth day of August in the year
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BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 4 File 1 / BRITISH COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.