Diary entries for Arthur Thomas Bushby, BC Archives call number MS-0809, vol. 1, Dec. 25 and 28, 1858

In this extract, A.T. Bushby recounts his experiences travelling from New York City via the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco and finally to British Columbia. Among the other passengers he encounters along the way are several other well known names in early British Columbia such as Colonel R.C. Moody and family, commanding officer of the Royal Engineers stationed at New Westminster, Captain W.D. Gossett, Treasurer of the Colony of BC, Robert Burnaby, Thomas Elwyn and the Reverend W.B. Crickmer and family. On Dec. 21, 1858 he left San Francisco aboard the "Panama" bound for Vancouver Island. The variety of spellings and lack of punctuation by Bushby were retained.

Dec. 25, 1858: Here we are in Esquimalt Harbor, V.I. The voyage per "Panama" very pleasant - officers agreeable - living excellent - Xmas Eve we had a regular musical bout, finishing up by the Purser bringing in a bowl of whiskey punch. On Tuesday night we had a fearful gale and got close inshore thanks to a very dark night: we were compelled to heave to until daylight - & this M[ornin]g we came in sight of Vancouver Isld. and by 10 am. we steamed into Esquimalt Harbor Here endeth the recital of my voyage from S'hampton to Vancouver Island.

V. Island from the Sea coast looks like the Scotch Coast - fir trees to the waters edge. Esquimalt Harbor is quite land locked - H.M.S. "Satellite" "Plumper" and some merchantmen are anchored, and lots of native canoes paddling abt with long haired flat faced Indians - some fishing.

We were landed at a rough w[h]arf bag & baggage and some of us adjourned to the only visible grog shop and drank a Merry Xmas in a glass of excellent scotch whiskey. Knocked abt the harbor and wharf all day. Shot a gull - my first trial. At last a little Str came round from Victoria & took us all on board - we packing our own trunks on our shoulders, and away we steamed for Victoria - getting there at dusk, landed on a wharf and we wended our way to the Hotel de France and bunked on the floor with Haines [Haynes], two others in the same room - much astonished at the size of the Town.

Dec. 28, 1858: On getting to the Hotel we determined to have a good Xmas dinner happen what might. So some 12 of us sat down @ 5/6 a head - 12 bottles of ale! What a treat the beer was & how we enjoyed ourselves! After dinner we adjourned to a large Saloon and regaled ourselves with hot whiskey punch and saw a number of rough looking miners next M[ornin]g. Burnaby & I went to church, a near little conventicler - heard a rather decent bass voice in the choir - it was Begbie, whom I met coming out of ch: he did not recognize me at first owning to my rough dress & beard & moustache. He seemed glad to meet me. He then introduced me to the clergyman & a Mr Pemberton, & then to a Mr Brew who made me acquainted with a Mr Crease - a barrister living next door to the Hotel