Slide showing the graving dock where the Alcan wharf caissons were constructed. It is filled with water. Boats and structures are visible on the edge. This area was used for the Kitimat Yacht Club. Behind, the Kitimat River estuary is visible, and beyond that the mountains (Mount Elizabeth obscured by cloud).
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 the graving dock where the Alcan wharf caissons were constructed. It is filled with water. Boats and structures are visible on the edge. This area was used for the Kitimat Yacht Club. Behind, the Kitimat River estuary is visible, and beyond that the mountains (Mount Elizabeth obscured by cloud).
Photograph - aerial view of graving dock showing rough outline of excavation, Access Road into Dock at North West corner, and shovels, double handling base material.
Photograph - aerial view of graving dock showing rough outline of excavation, Access Road into Dock at North West corner, and shovels, double handling base material.
N/W corner of Smelter Site, looking east. North access road in left foreground. Area for service buildings in center foreground. Cold deck pile No. 1 in right foreground. Overburden disposal ramp in background.
N/W corner of Smelter Site, looking east. North access road in left foreground. Area for service buildings in center foreground. Cold deck pile No. 1 in right foreground. Overburden disposal ramp in background.
General view of the site looking north showing the Smelter at upper centre, and the Graving Dock and Wharf at lower centre. Taken from a helicopter on Wednesday, April 1, 1953.
General view of the site looking north showing the Smelter at upper centre, and the Graving Dock and Wharf at lower centre. Taken from a helicopter on Wednesday, April 1, 1953.
Photograph of smeltersite looking west from eastern boundary. Compacted gravel fill being placed. Note that the fill under the pipes at the centre is at final grade of 45' 6". Material, construction, and buildings visible in back.
Bud Powell is a longtime resident of Kitimat and former smeltersite resident. He worked for Alcan.
Custodial History
Donated by Bud Powell.
Scope and Content
Photograph of smeltersite looking west from eastern boundary. Compacted gravel fill being placed. Note that the fill under the pipes at the centre is at final grade of 45' 6". Material, construction, and buildings visible in back.
Photograph of southern edge of smeltersite, looking east. Side slopes of gravel fill being completed to grade. Truck dumping gravel, and workers visible. Powerlines along left side.
Bud Powell is a longtime resident of Kitimat and former smeltersite resident. He worked for Alcan.
Custodial History
Donated by Bud Powell.
Scope and Content
Photograph of southern edge of smeltersite, looking east. Side slopes of gravel fill being completed to grade. Truck dumping gravel, and workers visible. Powerlines along left side.