For almost two months we have watched and endured a very cold winter in our region. The weather statistics that have come out of this prolonged cold snap have attracted a great deal of attention. In terms of the dangers that accompanied such periods in our distant past, there were many.
One such account comes from the winter of 1858 on the Fraser River prior to the founding of New Westminster. There was a lot of ice on the river, it was blocked in spots, and the few steamboats on its waters were having difficulties. On one occasion, the steamer Enterprise got trapped in the ice between Fort Hope and Fort Langley near the confluence of the Harrison and Fraser rivers.
As there were limited supplies and accommodation onboard, the passengers decided that, although they were unprepared for the task, they would walk along the frozen river and overland downstream to reach the fort. After a few days the ship broke loose and headed down river as well, blowing its whistle to hopefully attract the trekkers. The passengers were rescued, carried to Fort Langley, and disaster was averted.
A letter of thanks was printed in the Victoria newspaper: “We…beg to tender to Capt. Thomas Wright of the steamer Enterprise…our deep heartfelt acknowledgments for his humanity and Christian benevolence, in rescuing from destruction 110 men, one woman and three children, lost in the snow on the intricate route and almost impassable woods of the Fraser River…We feel that, but for our unexpected deliverance, the pall of death must have been stretched over us all.”
Other examples of these extreme early weather conditions occurred in the winter of 1862. One report states: “Everything is frozen tight at New Westminster. Horses and sleighs are driven across and up and down the river with perfect security. Livestock has also been driven across, and sleighing on the ice is daily indulged in. The snow is 10 inches deep at New Westminster.”
At this time, a vessel from Nanaimo was to drop off passengers at New Westminster, but entry into the river was impossible. The solution? “Intelligence of her arrival was dispatched to New Westminster and sleighs sent out to bring the passengers to town.”
Another vessel from Victoria to the Royal City was also unable to enter the river and it was noted the boat was “…at anchor off the mouth of the river with all her freight aboard.”
Those aboard walked up river, arriving in New Westminster nearly three days later. One of those walking was unable to go on and “praiseworthy exertions” by others carried him to his destination, otherwise he “must have lost his life.”
