PACIFIC SALMON FISHERIES. 71 
BRITISH COLUMBIA.2 
Fraser Rwer.—This, the largest river in British Columbia (it is 
over 1,000 miles in length), has been important from a fishery stand- 
point ever since salmon canning was taken up as a commercial 
proposition. | 
The Hudson Bay Co. was the first to engage in the preparation of 
salmon for commercial purposes; the company bought the fish from 
the Indians and pickled them in barrels for export, mainly to the 
Hawaiian Islands and Asia. At times this export amounted to as 
much as 4,000 barrels a year. The company claimed a monopoly of 
the fisheries, but with the revocation of its license in 1858 this claim 
fell. Several salteries were subsequently established on the Fraser 
River by whites. 
In the early sixties some canned salmon was prepared in a small 
way for local use, but the industry was not taken up commercially 
until 1867, when Ewen & Wise started at New Westminster. In 
1870 Deas & Co. started at Deas Island. Of these two the only one 
to continue was Ewen & Co., who had succeeded Ewen & Wise, and 
they continued in business until they sold out to the British Columbia 
Packers’ Association in 1902. 
In 1872 Holbrook & Co. purchased a small cannery which had been 
started at Sapperton by Capt. Stamp sometime before, and operated 
it for a few years, 
In 1876 there were three canneries running, consisting of Holbrook 
& Co., Ewen & Co., and the British Columbia Canning Co. (Deas 
Island). 
The following year this was increased by English & Co. and Fin- 
layson & Lane, the latter quitting after one season, being succeeded 
in 1878 by Lane, Pike & Nelson. King & Co., the British Columbia 
cannery (Annieville), and the Delta cannery also commenced opera- 
tions the lattér year. 
In 1879 Holbrook & Co., and Lane, Pike & Nelson dropped out, 
and Haigh & Sons (succeeded in 1884 by the Bon Accord Packing 
Co.) commenced operations. 
King & Co. were burned out in 1880, and Adair & Co., afterward 
known as the Wellington Packing Co., commenced. A year later 
Laidlaw & Co. commenced operations. 
In 1882 the British Union Packing Co., afterwards known as the 
Harlock Packing Co., commenced packing salmon. The British- 
American cannery and J. H. Todd & Sons (Richmond cannery) also 
began operations. 
a ee ee) 
@ The author is indebted to Henry Doyle, of Vancouver, British Columbia, for practically all of the 
historical data relating to the canning industry of British Columbia, and hereby expresses his deep appreci- 
ation for this and many other courtesies, 
