Transcription Page

Chung Chi

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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11

Harry King, fireman. Sworn:-

By Mr. Potts:- Were you fireman at No.6 mine on the day of the explosion, July 15th?

A: Yes.

Q: What time did you go on?

A: Five o’clock in the morning.

Q: What time did you come off?

A: About 3.30.

Q: You made those first two reports entered there in the report book?

A: Yes.

Q: How long have you been engaged as fireman?

A: About 18 months.

Q: Got a certificate? A: Yes.

Q: How many shifts were working on July 15th ?

A: Two.

Q: In these two reports of yours, no time is given. When would the first report be made?

A: About seven o’clock in the morning, before seven.

Q: And the last? A: About half past 3.

Q: That was when you came A: Yes.

Q: Did you take the air pressure that day?

A: Yes, I too the barometer.

Q: Would that be any indication of the air pressure?

A: Yes. Q: What was the barometer?

A: 29.80.

Q: What does that indicate as regards air pressure?

A: It indicates pretty good pressure.

Q: In each of these reports, Mr. King, you stated that you found gas in Second South level? A: Yes.

Q: Did you state any quantity?

A: A very small quantity. A matter of a few inches.

Q: Why wouldn’t you put a very small quantity of gas was found?

A: Well, you would have considerable trouble in measuring gas, and then you might make a mistake in the exact dimensions.

Q: Would the air pressure keep about the same all day?

A: Yes, I think so.

Q: Would the fact of there being gas have any effect on the barometer?

A: No, I don’t think so.

Q: Were you acting as shot lighter as well.

A; yes.

Q: When was the last shot fired in your shift?

A: About one o’clock; it might have been a little sooner; may be a little later.

Q: Did you test for gas? A: Yes.

Q: What did you do?

A: I tried it with my lamp, raised my lamp up to it and found it was so small a quantity that in fact I hesitated about putting it in the report at all.

Q: On the first examination?

A: On every examination, four times.

Q: Then the gas was not increasing in desnisty?

A: NO, it was less than it had been the day before.

Q: At what height did you hold the lamp?

A: I suppose about seven feet.

Q: What is the height of the mine there where you were testing in the 2nd. South level?

A: Something over six feet.

Q: The height of the roof?

A: The roof where it is not broken.

Q: How could you hold the lamp up seven feet?

A: Because there was a cave there.

Q: I am talking of before the explosion?

A; Before the explosion



BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

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