PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 357a number of Islanders then in the Eastern states had hurried thither to make their fortunes. News did not travel in those days as rapidly as it does today. But Peter Pool 's fervid description of the richness of the new found fields, which he had reached some time previously, with a strong invitation to come out and participate in the treasure, was received by his brother in Charlottetown and quickly communicated to the whole population of the Island. Nat¬ urally there was much excitement and a dis¬ position on the part of young men able to undertake the hardships of the voyage, to arrange their affairs in their own quiet homes and become part of a band of adven¬ turer? in search of rich fortunes on the Pa¬ cific slope. There were no trans-continental railways then and hence the resolve quickly readied by a large company to enter into partnership, purchase a suitable vessel and attain the gold fields by way of . A substantial ship was obtained from James Peake , Esq., in the good brig "Fanny," built in Charlottetown by Joseph Pippy , of over two hundred tons burden, jumper built, coppered and copper fastened. The price exacted was four thousand pounds Is¬ land currency, which was paid, the shares of the company being placed at one hundred pounds each. The gold seekers then pre¬ pared themselves for their long and ardu¬ ous voyage; they were drawn from the. best families of the province and their move¬ ments were eagerly watched by the whole people. The following is a complete list of those who composed the company, crew and passengers, which set sail from Char¬ lottetown on the 12th day of November, A. D. 1849, followed amidst the Godspeeds of the entire population: Company—Ed¬ ward Buxton, James Hancock , John H. Gates, John McDonnell , John Pidwell , James Connel , John Norton , John Orr , Douglas Davison, Robert Percival , Mal¬ colm McGougan, Stephen Bouyer , Thomas Keating , George W. Owen , Charles Wright , B. J. Hodgson , Stephen McCallum , Chris¬ topher Smith. Edward Love , Thomas Snel- grove, J. McLaine , Richard Smith , Peter McKinnon , George Holman , William N. Kewell , John Putnam , John Hawkins , Charles Blatch , James Howatt , James C. Pope , Artemas Davison , Edward Moore , James Millner , Thomas Chappell , William Barrett , Isaac Rider , Jabez Bernard , W. W. Moore , Robert Boyle , George Moore . Names of the crew: Captain Irving , First Mate Smith, Second Mate Fred Comp- ton, W. " H. McKay —McRae .—Mckae. Duncan McGougan , John Sinclair . There were three passengers, namely; Edwin White , Thomas Poole and --------- •Gardener. Only the other day one of this historic company passed away, but prior to the fatal call he penned for this sketch the particulars which follow and which may be considered perfectly accurate. I need not apologize for giving the particulars of the voyage in the words of my esteemed friend, the late John Orr , of French River , New London ; since his demise, but three of those who sailed in the "Fanny" are alive, John H. Gates and Edward Moore , of Char¬ lottetown, and Duncan McGougan , of Princetown . Story as told by John Orr , of French River , Prince Edward Island : The brig "Fanny" was built in Char¬ lottetown in the year 1845 by Joseph Pippy for James Peake , Esq. She was a stanch jumper built craft, about two hundred and fifty tons register and a very slow sailer. A company of forty was formed, who