CALL NUMBER: T0315:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1880-1912 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: William John "Wiggs" O'Neill begins this interview speaking about the establishment of the Henkel farm on Francois Lake, the story of Harry "Buccaneer" Morgan's adventurers in the Boer War, old man Jeffrey -- a Scotsman who pre-empted land in the Bulkley Valley, Mrs. H. Long's wedding day and Joe Merryfield's story about a Chinese miner and his Indian wife at Manson Creek. TRACK 2: Wiggs; O'Neill tells a story about a Kitselas Indian bootlegger named "Queen of Kitselas", the origin of Smithers and the Hubert site.

CALL NUMBER: T0315:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1880-1910 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More details about the "Queen of Kitselas" are provided -- including: the Kitselas magistrate (C.W. Clifford), Canon March and the Kitsumkalum policeman -- Tom Parsons. Wiggs O'Neill continue;s with a story about Father Coccola and an injured man from Francois Lake and the start of the St. Eugene mine in the Kootenays. Included are stories of Port Essington (Spokeshoot) the "summer capital;" of the Cassiar district (Port Simpson was the "winter capital") and a description of local celebrations of the Coronation of King Edward VII (1902). TRACK 2: This tape begins with a Wiggs O'Neill story about a drinking party in Essington involving the local magistrate and a commercial traveller, continues with the first municipal elections at Port Essington (1907) and the first fisherman's strike, 1899.

CALL NUMBER: T0315:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1890-1912 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Wiggs O'Neill talks about the musical abilities of the local Indians, Walter Wright -- first mate to Captain Bonser, Cunningham's wharf in Port Essington, details about the steamboats, passenger loading and embarkation, steamer captains and engineers, steamer operations, bell signals between the Captain and engineer, the activity of the steamboat leaving the dock, the cordwood piles on the Skeena River and more on the boat signals. TRACK 2: More about the signals aboard the steamboats between the captain and the engineer, noises of the paddles and the noise of the exhaust. Wiggs O'Neill provides some information about the machinery, engines and construction of the steamboats. He talks about the activities of the passengers on board the boat, the excitement of the trip, the element of danger on the Skeena River, the role of the crew, types of passengers, Sir Richard McBride's visit to Hazelton, Mrs. Campbell Johnson, settlers and the crew.

CALL NUMBER: T0315:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1890-1912 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Wiggs O'Neill continues speaking about the crew of the steamboats, provisions, steamboat construction, meals and dining, "bootlegging" by the steward, gambling, sleeping accommodations, washing facilities, the main cabin, crew's quarters, the engine and boiler areas, loading the wood, overnight stops, "lining", music from the Indian crew and navigating the Kitselas Canyon. TRACK 2: More; details are provided about navigation through the Kitselas Canyon, "lining", ringbolts, the wreck of the "Mount Royal", an incident with Captain Bonser and a potential accident and Captain Bonser's character.

CALL NUMBER: T0315:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1890-1912 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Wiggs O'Neill describes Port Essington (Spokeshoot) during its heyday, Bob Cunningham, Indians of the lower Skeena, shipping at Port Essington, steamer schedules, currency, high and low water, the town of Kitselas, the travelling season, the riverboat journey and stops along the Skeena: Kitsumkalum, Kitwanga, Hazelton and New Town. TRACK 2: This tape continues with more details about the riverboat journey: Kitselas, New Town, Lorne Creek, Cedarvale (Minskinisht) and Rev. Tomlinson, Captain Jackman, the Copper River area, supplies and provisions and Kitwanga. Information is provided ;about Captain Bonser's crew members including: Paul Kato (a Japanese carpenter) and a story about a repair, purser -- Gordon Lockerby, engineer -- Pat Hicky on "Caledonia" and the rivalry between Captain Johnson and Captain Bonser. Wiggs O'Neill speaks about Kitwanga and Rev. Price, and the steamboat's arrival at Hazelton.

CALL NUMBER: T0315:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The riverboat era on the Skeena River PERIOD COVERED: 1890-1912 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1961-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape continues with recollections about the steamboat's arrival in Hazelton, Hazelton's role as the river terminus and transportation centre, the town site and buildings, Jim Kirby -- provincial policeman, the "stone cellar" liquor outlet and Jim May. Information about local characters and incidents is related including: Joe Doyne, "Mocassin-Face Jenny", John Hetherington and a spiked cake prank, a bear-skin prank and Gordon Lockerby, and mock trials on the steamboats. TRACK 2: Wiggs O'Neill recalls passenger and cargo accommodation onboard the steamboats, "traveller men", names; of local hazards along the river: "Hole-in-the-wall", "Devil's Island", "Beaver Dam", "Devil's Elbow", "Whirlygig", "Hornet's Nest" and the wreck of the "Pheasant" and the "Northwest". He describes ;a typical steamboat, size, draft etc, the railway construction boom and a drowning.