It was an interesting day when the keel of this wonderful little black steamer was laid, but how much more interesting must the 29th day of August, 1835, have been when the “Beaver” glided down into the English Channel and out on the trackless ocean on her voyage to the north Pacific ocean to become famous in the annals of the west.
The “Beaver” arrived at Robinson Crusoe Island, via Cape Horn, December 17th, 1835, and Astoria (Columbia River) April 4th, 1836.
H.B.C. Fur Headquarters on Columbia River
The Hudson’s Bay Company’s fur trade up to this date had as its headquarters on the Pacific Coast the Columbia River, but as the trade was being developed it was soon apparent that Columbia River was not the most suitable location from which to administer affairs. The ships from London were taking great risks when crossing the Columbia River bar, and as there were no steam tugs available, going up the Columbia River with a sailing vessel for one hundred miles or more was not at all to their liking. The coastwise boats, apart from the “Beaver,” were all small sailing-ships and the voyage to the Columbia from Puget Sound was really a stupendous undertaking.
The Hudson’s Bay Company’s possessory rights in Oregon were the stumbling blocks. If the Columbia River establishments were abandoned the Company’s claim might be jeopardized, and rather than do that a route was opened through from Fort Vancouver to Nisqually on the Puget Sound via the Cowlitz River, where trade goods could be transported by boat and ox-cart and shipped north on the ships engaged in the trade, thereby saving much time to the ships but wasting considerable of the time of the land forces.
The “Beaver’s” Coast Route
From Nisqually, the “Beaver” took a full cargo in January, proceeding to Fort Simpson, calling en route at all Indian villages where she would anchor, throw out her boarding nets and proceed to trade, so that by the time she reached Fort Simpson a large part of her cargo would have been traded.
At Fort Simpson the furs collected were taken ashore and stored and the ship restocked with trade goods; then she proceeded, calling at all villages en route to Taku. Returning to Fort Simpson, furs were unloaded and more goods taken.
This procedure was kept up all summer, the “Beaver” making about four trips north, and the same number south, leaving off in time to reach Victoria before Christmas.
The “Beaver” was not subject to orders from any but Sir James Douglas, but she had all Posts on the route she covered under her control. It was estimated that she had to cater to the wants of forty thousand natives.