Fraser River Gold Rush
When news of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush reached California, Hunt's owners sent her north to take advantage of the situation. Hunt arrived in Victoria in the middle of August, 1858. Because there was a shortage of British vessels, the colonial government at Victoria had decided to license American steamers to move the resultant gold rush traffic up the river. and ran for a short time on the New Westminster route. Another vessel running on the same route was the Sea Bird, which on September 7, 1858, caught fire en route and was destroyed, with the loss of two lives. Fortunately the Hunt was not far behind her and was able to take off her surviving passengers and crew.
Read more about this topic: Wilson G. Hunt (sidewheeler)
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