York Factory Express

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Map of the route of the York Factory Express, 1820s to 1840s. Modern political boundaries shown.
Map of the route of the York Factory Express, 1820s to 1840s. Modern political boundaries shown.

The York Factory Express, usually called "the Express" and also called the Columbia Express, was a brigade operated by Hudson's Bay Company in the early 19th century connecting York Factory and Fort Vancouver. It was named "express" because it was not used to transport furs and supplies but rather to quickly move departmental reports and letters. It was the main overland connection between the Columbia Department and the Hudson's Bay Company's headquarters at York Factory. Bulk cargo to and from the Columbia Department was shipped by sea. The express brigade was known as the York Factory Express on its eastbound journey in the spring, and as the Columbia Express or Autumn Express on its westbound journey in the fall. The same route was used in both cases. Its length was about 4,200 kilometres (2,600 mi).

[edit] History

The York Factory Express evolved from an earlier express brigade used by the North West Company between Fort George, at the mouth of the Columbia River, to Fort William on Lake Superior.[1]

In 1821 the North West Company was merged into the Hudson's Bay Company. George Simpson, director of Hudson's Bay Company, visited the Columbia District in 1824-25, journeying from York Factory. He investigated a quicker route than previously used, following the Saskatchewan River and crossing the mountains at Athabasca Pass. This route was thereafter followed by the York Factory Express brigades.[2]

By 1825 there were usually two brigades, each setting out from opposite ends of the route in spring and passing each other in the middle of the continent. Each brigade consisted of about forty men and two boats and travelled at breakneck speed. A 1839 report cites the travel time as three months and ten days.[3]

[edit] Route

From west to east, Fort Vancouver to York Factory, the express route ran as follows. Up the Columbia River past the posts of Fort Nez Perces, Fort Okanogan, and Fort Colvile to Boat Encampment (today under Kinbasket Lake), then over Athabasca Pass to Jasper House, down the Athabasca River to Fort Assiniboine, then overland to Fort Edmonton. Thence down the North Saskatchewan River and Saskatchewan River to Lake Winnipeg and Norway House. Finally the brigade would travel down the Hayes River to York Factory on Hudson's Bay.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mackie, Richard Somerset (1997). Trading Beyond the Mountains: The British Fur Trade on the Pacific 1793-1843. Vancouver: University of British Columbia (UBC) Press, p. 61. ISBN 0-7748-0613-3. 
  2. ^ Mackie, Richard Somerset (1997). Trading Beyond the Mountains: The British Fur Trade on the Pacific 1793-1843. Vancouver: University of British Columbia (UBC) Press, p. 46. ISBN 0-7748-0613-3. 
  3. ^ Mackie, Richard Somerset (1997). Trading Beyond the Mountains: The British Fur Trade on the Pacific 1793-1843. Vancouver: University of British Columbia (UBC) Press, p. 61. ISBN 0-7748-0613-3. 
  4. ^ Route info from Mackie, Richard Somerset (1997). Trading Beyond the Mountains: The British Fur Trade on the Pacific 1793-1843. Vancouver: University of British Columbia (UBC) Press, p. 97. ISBN 0-7748-0613-3.  and Meinig, D.W. [1968] (1995). The Great Columbia Plain, Weyerhaeuser Environmental Classic edition, University of Washington Press, p. 69. ISBN 0-295-97485-0.