Oars or Paddles
Did the HBC men use oars or paddles in their boats? I would have thought paddles, but I think I am not correct in every instance. So, let’s find out!…
Read moreSamuel Black
Samuel Black was the oddest of all the HBC men. Black, born in 1780, was a young highlander of enormous size when he came to Canada and joined the fur…
Read moreJohn Keist Lord
My book, The HBC Brigades: Culture, Conflict, and Perilous Journeys of the Fur Trade, was published by Ronsdale Press in July 2024. You can order the book through your local…
Read moreWomen in the Boats
Here is a question I often get asked (especially by women): how many women and children travelled in the York Factory Express Boats going out of, or coming into, the…
Read moreDavid Douglas goes home
In this post, botanist David Douglas heads for home in England, after his journey down the Athabasca River with the outgoing York Factory Express. Edward Ermatinger was the leader of…
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