James McNay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 31, 1907. Between 1951 and 1953, he worked in the payroll department for Alcan. He had to leave his wife Effie and his two young daughters, Margaret and Diane, aged 6 and 5 in 1951, at home in Surrey, B.C., during his 3-4 month stints in Kitimat. To fill some of his free time and show his family where he was and what Kitimat was like, he spent many hours walking in the area with a 35mm Kodak camera. He photographed the scenic beauty of the area and parts of the construction of both the smelters and the town. He died in Surrey on August 7, 1983.
Custodial History
Donated by Margaret McNay. Images were taken by her father and sent to their family in Surrey in the 1950s.
Scope and Content
Slide showing view of smeltersite from Douglas Channel side. On right is Delta King and the bunkhouses, and on the left is Hospital Beach.
Taken from top deck of Delta King showing Rec. Hall + Feed Ryan's workshop at left. Prior to closing of Helen's Cafe. Note Pum.p + Steam in forground. The pump was used to keep waterout of Coffer Dam around Delta King + is used to heat Rec. Hall, Hospital, School, Bunkhouses, and Cafeteria
Taken from top deck of Delta King showing Rec. Hall + Feed Ryan's workshop at left. Prior to closing of Helen's Cafe. Note Pum.p + Steam in forground. The pump was used to keep waterout of Coffer Dam around Delta King + is used to heat Rec. Hall, Hospital, School, Bunkhouses, and Cafeteria
White card stock card, outlined in black. Alcan symbol at right, 'a sincere than you from ...' in black print. Inside left text with thank you sentiment and signed by three officials. At right, glued to card stock is a cork and metal coaster with commemorative image of H.R.H. Prince Phillip and R.E. Powell. Kitimat-Kemano August 3, 1954-84.
White card stock card, outlined in black. Alcan symbol at right, 'a sincere than you from ...' in black print. Inside left text with thank you sentiment and signed by three officials. At right, glued to card stock is a cork and metal coaster with commemorative image of H.R.H. Prince Phillip and R.E. Powell. Kitimat-Kemano August 3, 1954-84.
