As the bulk of the transhipment appears to be at an end, the remaining
Officers take some time off to visit.
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19th
Tuesday – I rode over to Victoria, had lunch with the Governor,
Mr. Douglas,
where I met Cooper and St. John of the
Marines. I afterwards called with them upon some people about
a mile and a half out of
Victoria, and then rode back to the Pilgrim’s Rest Barracks
where I
dined with Bauerman and
Lord and pulled back to the ship about
10 p.m. --From the Journal of Lt. Lempriere, RE,
on board the Thames City in
Esquimalt Harbour. |
Meanwhile, in on the Brunette, the Royal Marine party struggles on.
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"...On the Second day (19th) I despatched
Captain Bazalgette R.M., to reconnoiter the head of the lake and he
discovered a river which he followed up on a Westerly course for 3 miles
(Still Creek).
This river runs into a lake but with
an almost imperceptible motion, it is also much deeper than any other part
of the latter that I sounded. Its average depth being three fathoms, it
also winds in small turns of every fifty of sixty yards but its general
bearing is West, its shores are swampy and covered with alder, its general
appearance might be likened to a Canal.
On the same day I started with an
Indian and two days provisions and took a course due North from the
eastern point of the lake over a Mountain 600 feet above the level of the
sea – covered with dense forest – on reaching the summit I found Burrards
Inlet to be immediately beneath it on the opposite side branching off into
two arms the Southern most one of which bore to the eastward and appeared
to terminate within a short distance. The Northern most one hugging the
base of the opposite high range of mountains was shut out from any
observation. The mountain I ascended had an exceedingly steep descent to
the Northward the breadth of the inlet was at the broadest part two miles:
observing on this occasion that the mountain a short distance from where I
had crossed it terminated abruptly to the Eastward and that a
comparatively cleared valley about a mile in width skirted it in the
direction of the Inlet..."
--25 April, 1859,
report from Lt.
Blake, RMA to Col. Moody |
Back in the Camp, suitable quarters appear to be on the minds of many.
Col. Moody,
Queensborough,
19th April, 1859Sir,
As in all probability it will be requisite for me to reside
here for some time where I can be near the office to attend you at
short notice, I should find it a great comfort if it were in your
power to obtain the approval of His Excellency, the Governor to my
building a small residence for myself on some convenient site of no
commercial value to be selected and approved by you - and which I
might be allowed to purchase at the Government upset price.
I need scarcely explain how greatly I appreciate the kind
hospitality you have always shown me, but you will readily
understand my desire to have my own quarters without feeling that I
am in some measure encroaching on your comfort and convenience.
I cannot devise any other plan to effect this than but
preferring the present request, which I trust will not be considered
inadmissible, my only object being to settle down at once where I
can be ready to attend to my duties when required.
I shall be greatly obliged by your laying my application
before his Excellency for his favourable consideration.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your Most obedient Servant
Robert Burnaby
(notation in margin reads "Approved Jas. Douglas")
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{Note: At this point, the Un-married RE are all at Queenborough and
quartered in Bell Tents. The Married Men with their wives and Children,
are quartered at the recently completed RE Barracks at Derby.}
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