Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Correspondence (private letter)
Heinke, Colonial Engineer W. to Lytton, Sir Edward George Earle Bulwer 22 September 1858, CO 60:3, no. 9758, 162.
Abstract
Correspondence (private letter).
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5), Other documents (1).
Heinke presents his company’s “patent diving apparatus” which supersedes the Diving Bell.
He suggest that “the entire work at the new Westminster [sic] foundations” can be done with the apparatus.
The minutes refer Heinke to BC officials and note that the apparatus may be useful in pearl fishing at Ceylon.
Enclosed is the Colonial Office to Heinke stating that the proper course would be for him to contact the governor directly;
a printed advertisement, “Improved Diving Helmet, Dress & Apparatus, Manufactured
by C.E. Heinke, Submarine Engineer;” printed certificates awarded to Heinke’s company for improvements to their diving apparatus; and three documents testifying
to the effectiveness and careful workmanship of the apparatus.
Heinke to Lytton
Permit me to bring to notice our patent diving apparatus.
I supply the Royal Engineers at Chatham. They would be found
invaluable in British Columbia. The entire work at the new
Westminster Bridge foundations are done with our diving
apparatus. They have entirely superseded the Diving Bell.
I should be most happy to furnish Your Excellency with further
information if required.
[P.S.] A Diver can work under water 4 or 6 Hours.
Minutes by CO staff
Acke receipt: saying that it is open to the writer to
communicate his system to the Authorities of B. Columbia if he
wishes it, but that this Office cannot undertake to do so.
This Diving apparatus might be very useful in the Pearl fishery at
Ceylon.
ABd
23 S
Annex dt.
HM
S 24
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Heinke, 1 October 1858, stating that the proper course would be for him to contact the governor directly.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Printed advertisement, "Improved Diving Helmet, Dress &
Apparatus, Manufactured by C.E. Heinke, Submarine Engineer."
Printed certificates awarded to company for
improvements to their diving apparatus, presented at the Great
Exhibition of 1851 and the Paris Exhibition of 1855.
W. Hartland, Victoria Dock, to Heinke, 4 May 1858, testifying
to the effectiveness of his apparatus.
Charles Manby to Thomas Jackson, 29 June 1858, highly
recommending the effectiveness of Heinke's apparatus.
A. Pestchouroff to Heinke, 17 June 1858, testifying to the
sound and careful workmanship of his apparatus.