Raincoast Chronicles 19: Stories and History of the British Columbia Coast

Ann Turner is the financial and budget manager of the University of
British Columbia Library.

The Raincoast Chronicles series gathers B.C. local history and tales of
life on the coast for reader enjoyment and education. This new issue
contains 11 stories and historical essays; most of them include personal
reminiscences and are illustrated with black-and-white photographs and
drawings. Topics range from marine disasters to the antics of a pesky
crow rescued by a lighthouse keeper.

Of particular historical interest in this issue is “Memories of
Ceepeecee,” by company carpenter Alder Bloom. Located on Tahsis Inlet
on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Ceepeecee (California Packing
Corporation) cannery and reduction plant operated in the 1930s and
1940s. Bloom describes the processing plants, the labour force, and life
in the remote company town. Following the memoirs is an extensive photo
essay showing the workers and technology of the salmon-canning line in
full production at that time, with accompanying descriptions of each
step in the process.

The Raincoast Chronicles are always enjoyable as well as enlightening,
and this 19th volume is no exception.