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.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Alexander [Selespie?], fireman: sworn
By Mr. [Potts?]: Were you the fireman on duty at No 6 Mine on the night of the explosion, July 15th A: Yes
J: When did you come on duty? A: Three o clock
J: What is the first thing you do when you come on duty? A: I get the report from the fireman on the shift preceding me.
J: Then you got Mr. King's report? A: Yes
J: You noticed there was gas in the second South level? A: Yes
J: When you get the report of the preceding fireman, what did you do? A: I started to make my own rounds
J: Did you make any examination of the mine on the [?] of July 15th? A: Yes. I made one round.
J: Had you been through the Second South Level? A: Yes
J: What time did you get through there? A: I left about a quarter past five
J: Did you test for gas there? A: Yes
J: Did you find any? A: Yes
J: In any quantity? A: No.
J: Have you made a report? A: Yes, I reported on the 15th as I found it before the explosion.
"I have examined [ill?] walking places in No 6
"mine, and found gas in 7 [level?] in 2 South
"[?] level in 4 [incline?] all the rest are clean."
J: When did you make that report? A: I guess it was about 2 days after the explosion
J: Did you test the ventilation? A: Yes.
J: Ventilation good? A: Yes
J: What was the air pressure? A: About 29.80.
J: The same as it was in the morning? A: Yes
J: Does 29.80 indicate a good air pressure?
A: Yes, sir.
J: What time did the explosion occur?
A: About 7 o clock
J: Where were you at the time of the explosion?
BC Archives GR-0431 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Box 6 File 3 / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia