letter
Document/Book
Accession Number
2018.008Description
Typewritten letter in blue ink, on letterhead for R. Dunsmuir & Sons, Wellington Collieries. Top right corner of the letter head shows a map of southern Vancouver Island with steamer routes and Dunsmuir wharves and mines marked. Wharf, bunker and water depth information for the Oyster Harbor shipping point in printed in red at the top, with the R. Dunsmuir & Sons, Wellington Collieries logo and office information printed below. The letter, dated January 29th, 1907, discusses a discrepancy on an invoice for a compass. Paper had been cut by hand along the bottom and is watermarked "Colonist, Victoria".Narrative
This letter from accountant Douglas D. Muir of the Wellington Collieries Victoria office to San Francisco nautical instrument maker Louis Weule & Co. explains that a Wellington Collieries cheque payable to them was for the correct amount notwithstanding a note on Weule’s receipt advising of a 50-cent overpayment for a compass for the Dunsmuir collier, “SS Wellington”.
This extremely rare letter documents the loading and storage capacities at the Dunsmuir colliery wharves and offers a glimpse into office procedures at the firm’s Victoria office. It also confirms the name of one Dunsmuir employee.
The letter provides information that aids in the understanding of Dunsmuir business activities. It is also aesthetically attractive and will be useful in presentation projects such as exhibits and publications.
