British American Cannery with Ecstall River on the right and Raspberry Islands across the river, Courtesy the Olson Family 1905-1906 and Prince Rupert City and Regional Archives
The British American Cannery was built in 1883 and operated at this site until 1923, when a fire destroyed the main cannery building. It was not re–built; instead they moved to the vacant Skeena River Commercial Cannery located next to it.
In the early days of the Skeena, Americans were referred to as “Boston men”. Because British American Cannery was owned by an American, the cannery was also referred to as “Boston Cannery”.
In 1894, Henry Bell-Irving purchased the property and ownership was transferred to the Anglo-British Columbia Packing Co.
Alternate Names
Location
Year Built
Best pack
Last Season
Boston Cannery, Anglo-British Columbia Packing Co.
East side of Port Essington
1883
1919, 39,452 cases
1923
British American Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
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British American Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
A view of Port Essington from behind the town with British American Cannery on the right side of the picture Courtesy the Olson Family and Prince Rupert City and Regional Archives
British American Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Halo Kishimoto and son at British American Cannery Courtesy Harris Family and Prince Rupert City and Regional Archives
British American Cannery with Ecstall River on the right Courtesy the Harris Family and Prince Rupert City and Regional Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Anglo British Columbia Packing Co. Courtesy BC Archives
Sources:
Armstrong, Cliff Sternwheelers on the Skeena , 2001
Bennett, Norma V Pioneer Legacy: Chronicles of the Lower Skeena River, 2001
Blyth, Gladys Y, Salmon Canneries-British Columbia North Coast, 1991
O’Neill, Wiggs Steamboat Days on the Skeena River, 1963
