Colonial Despatches

Pike was sent to command the HMS Devastation in 1860.1 His orders were to control the illegal trade of liquor between trading ships and First Nations on the coast of Vancouver Island, “Stekin,” Sitka Sound, and other coastal areas of British Columbia.2

Pike successfully captured two First Nations people who were involved in the murder and robbery of two white men near Fort Simpson in 1862.3 He was also involved in an 1863 expedition to arrest certain Lamalcha Indians involved in the murder of William Brady.4

In 1863, Pike captured three vessels which were illegally trading a large quantity of pure alcohol and manufactured spirits.5 Due to his skill in navigating the uninhabited areas of the Vancouver Island coast, he also stopped a ship of whiskey sellers hiding near Hornby Island.6

His work is commended in the despatches and he is described as being relentless in his duties as well as excellent at detaining and inspecting vessels, scrutinizing paperwork, interrogating traders, seizing contraband liquor and impounding ships.7

• 1. Hurst and Blackett, Promotions and Appointments, Colburn's United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal, (Volume 17, 1862), 276.
• 2. Douglas to Newcastle, 18 November 1862, No. 2, Stekin Territories, 438, CO 60/13, 528; Douglas to Newcastle, 21 May 1863, No. 33, 6930, CO 60/15, 343.
• 3. Romaine to Under-Secretary of State, 3 February 1863, 1181, CO 60/17, 3.
• 4. Paget to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary), 29 June 1863, 6392, CO 305/21, 3.
• 5. Douglas to Newcastle, 21 May 1863, No. 33, 6930, CO 60/15, 343; Allan Pritchard, The Royal Navy and Comox Settlement British Columbia History, (Vol 40, 2007), 20.
• 6. Ibid.; Stephen Schneider, Iced: The Story of Organized Crime in Canada (John Wiley & Sons, 2009), 66.
• 7. Ibid. Douglas to Newcastle, 21 May 1863, No. 33, 6930, CO 60/15, 343.