Colonial Despatches

In 1860, Bazalgette was sent to command the British camp on San Juan Island.1 Bazalgette landed in Garrison Bay, San Juan, on March 21, 1860.3 At this time Bazalgette was a thirteen-year-veteran after serving in both the China Campaigns and Crimean War.4

Bazalgette was born in Nova Scotia and came over to British Columbia to serve alongside the Royal Engineers.5 His family was greatly involved with the British Colonies, his brother Evelyn died in the Indian Mutiny, and his cousin Joseph engineered the London sewage system.6 Bazalgette, during his time on San Juan Island, worked closely with American Captain George Pickett, and was described as a merry fellow of rather affected manner with a genial nature.7

On the north end of San Juan Island, Bazalgette built and maintained a very clean and comfortable British camp.8 Considering both Bazalgette and his American counterpart, Pickett, were career professionals from a middle class background, they became fast friends and their relationship had a significant impact on the Island.9

Bazalgette worked on San Juan Island for six years, from 1860-1866. On July 24, he was relieved of his duties and sent to work in Plymouth until 1870. Two years later he was listed for retirement and appointed to Major. He lived until August 1885 and is buried in London.10

• 1. Douglas to Newcastle, 27 March 1860, No. 15, Military, 4818, CO 305/14, 116.
• 2. Wodehouse to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary), 27 June 1860, 6479, CO 305/15, 200; Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary), 29 August 1861, 7861, CO 305/18, 48.
• 3. Michael Vouri, The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay. (Friday Harbour, WA.: Griffin Bay Bookstore, 1999), 190.
• 4. Ibid.
• 5. E. C. Coleman, The Pig War: The Most Perfect War in History. (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2009), 131-132.
• 6. Ibid.
• 7. E. C. Coleman, The Pig War: The Most Perfect War in History. (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2009), 200; Michael Vouri, The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay. (Friday Harbour, WA.: Griffin Bay Bookstore, 1999), 162.
• 8. E. C. Coleman, The Pig War: The Most Perfect War in History. (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2009), 137.
• 9. Michael Vouri, The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay. (Friday Harbour, WA.: Griffin Bay Bookstore, 1999), 200-203; E. C. Coleman, The Pig War: The Most Perfect War in History. (Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, 2009), 176.
• 10. Ibid.