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Mining History in Nanaimo, B.C.
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First Coal Discovered in Fort Rupert
Coal was discovered on the northern tip of Vancouver Island at Fort Rupert. The person who discovered the coal is unamed. The discovery of the coal brought the HBC Company to began a coal mining industry. This became the begining of Nanaimo and surrounding cities. -
First Shipment of Coal Sent to be Tested
The first shipment of coal was taken by the HMS Cormorant, a steam sloop. The ship departed from Beaver Harbour, headed to San Fransisco to be tested. -
Trading License with HBC Signed
The Hudson's Bay Company of "Vancouver's Island" was granted a ten-year exclusive trading by Queen Victoria. There was one condition, to develop and settle the island. -
Scottish Ayshire Miners enlisted
Experienced Scottish Ayshire miners were enlisted by the HBC aqnd were brought to Fort Victoria aboard the first immigrant ship the Harpooner. They were transported to Fort Rupert to begin the mining operations. -
Coal Discovered in Nanaimo Area
Coal Tyee discovered an abundance of coal in the Nanaimo Area. -
Immigrant Miners arrive on the Norman Morison
Eighty more immigrant miners arrived on the Norman Morrison and were sent to Fort Rupert to assist with the mining operations. -
The Search for coal in Nanaimo
Joseph William McKay began to search for coal in Nanaimo. He discovered the Douglas vein, Coal tyee had taken his samples from this location. Joseph D. Peberton and Benjamin William Pearse began surveying the Nanaimo district. -
More miners arrived on the Tory
150 labourers and their families and eighteen recruits from the Orkney Islands in Scotland arrived aboard the Tory. -
The Dunsmuir, Dick, and Gilmour families arrived in Fort Vancouver
The Dunsmuir, Dick, and Gilmore families arrived on at Fort Vancouver, on the Pekin. While travellign across the Columbia River, the passengers were tranfered to the Mary Dane for the trip to Fort Rupert. -
Governor James Douglas visits Nanaimo
Governor James Douglas made a canoe trip from Fort Vctoria to Nanaimo -
Joseph William McKay is appointed HBC officer in charge
When he arrived in Nanaimo, he ahd written instructions from Douglas to take over the coal beds, and sell coal to any ship that offers payment. McKay also began builfing the first cabin. -
Miners arrived from Fort Rupert
The miners from Fort Rupert arrived in Nanaimo aboard the Cadboro. -
First Shipment of Coal
The first shipment of coal from Nanaimo, it departed of the Cadboro with 480 barrels of coal. The barrels of coal had been mined and loaded by the Snuneymuxw. -
Squaring of Wood for the Bastion
Joseph W. McKay wrote in his journal that squaring wood for the construction of the Bastion, he noted that it had been Versailles and Robillard who had begun the construction. -
HBC Secured Land for Coal Mining Operations
The HBC purchased 6,193 acres of land to secure land for the Nanaimo coal mining operation. The purchased land was from the Crown and it included Cameron, Newcastle and Protection islands. ANother 1,024 cres were reserved for public use, for roads and the benefit of the Snuneymuxw. -
House of Assembly
The first House of Assembly of Vancouver Island met for the first time in Victoria. -
Gold discovered on the Fraser River
The discovery of gold on the Fraser River brought many prospecters, the discovery brought Great Britain to the conclusion that they should establish a new colony on the mainland named British Columbia. -
Colville officially changed to Nanaimo
The name Nanaimo had already been adopted by McKay and Douglas. Colville was formally removed from maps and the town was officially named Nanaimo. -
Thomas Crosby began teaching the Snuneymuxw
Thomas Crosby began teaching the Snuneymuxw children. He began to learn the language and he put together a small dictionary. He taught by the example and taught them how to plant fruit trees and vegetables. -
Coal Sent to California
Collectively 32,818 tons of coal were exported to California
