, 1859-01-07
The IN. Co 3 steamer Beaver

Swanston, which arrived in our harbof
some time since, is one Of the most remark
able vessels in the world. Her history il
written out, would Gil book, and the
many singular adventures that have trans
pired on her decks, make a volume more
strange than the works Of fiction. '1
The Beaver, we are assured, is the first
steam vessel that ever pulled its smoke in
the air Of heaven on the Pacific ocean, and
up to the present day, she retains her repu.
tation as pioneer by parting winters uu1
disturbed by other sea-goihg crafts. She
seorns to traverse seas known TO other Ves-
sells, and astenishes even the Indian 10 his
canoe by her temerity and sudden appear
ance ar
The steamer Beaver was built in the
year 1885, for the II. B. Co., at Blackwell,
England, of the best oak aud in the most
substantial manner. Her engiues are Of
Bolton & Watts make, and may be de-
scrbed as the old fashioned bean
engines" Although clumsy in appearance
they work well, aud seldom or never get.
out Of repair. Her wheels are placed far
forward, are very small, and doInot look
unlike the fore paws Of q land 3terrapin0
Her poop is high out Of the water, square,
aud slanting in towards the rudder. Her.
sides and timbers are unusually heavy and
substantial, and everything about the old
ship denotes durability and worth. Moth
ing for show and everything for use, seems
to have been the motto Of her builder. In.
the spring Of 1886, she arrived at Fort
Vancouver, on the Columbia river, having
sailed around the Horn. Soon after, she
steamed down the Columbia, and has never
since entered that river. At that time,
with the exception Of few trading posts
ut distant intervals along the river and
coast the whole Of the North Pacific coast
was an almost unknown wilderness San
Francisco contained less than fifty inhabi-
tants, and Victoria had not been laid cut
A few trappers and hunters were the only
white men in the country.
For the last twenty years, the Beaver
has been constantly engaged in running
from port to port Of tho extreme North
and trading With the Indians. Her yoy.
ages extend as far north as the 59th paral-
lei Of latitude, and IS seconds-the head
Of inland navigation, and the beginning Of
the Arctic region She usually is absent
from Victoria about seven months, leaving
in April and returning In November, and
deals entirely in skins and furs. The In.
dians are accustomed to her annual visits.
can tell almost, to a day when 70 expect
her, and are always prepared with their
skins and furs, which they trade for blank
cts, clothing, hard bread, and other artis
eles Of prime necessity aud ornament. She
carries 80 men, six-ponnders, and large
complement Of small arms. Her decks are
protected from invasion BY border netting
Of rope, so as to prevent the Indians from
clambering up her sides, and never more
than thirty are allowed 70 come On board
at any one time, unless accompanied BY
their wives aud children The trading IS
conducted under the direction Of one Of the
Il. B. Co.'S Chief Traders" !" (Capt Dodd)
and is kept entirely separate from the sail
ing Of the ship. The discipline on boards
as strict as on q man-of-War, aud the great
est cautisn Is used to prevent being taken
at any time BY surprise.
The Beaver generally, during her cruise,
makes six visits with n full cargo 70 Fort
Simpson--the extreme northern post Of the
Company, aud just within the British line
$40 4O'-making that Fort her depot
while absent from here. The Otter gen
orally pays this Fort q visit to bring down
these extra cargoos, soon after che arrival
Of the Beaver here. i
There are many Indian curiosiiies aboard.
the specimens Of Indian mechani-
cal skill aud ingenuity which 10 most peo-
pie possess great interest, as showing the
position the savage nations hold with re-
gard to the arts.-- Iioi0ria Gazsiie