1766 to 1838.
The War of Independence -- A Governmental Harbour Survey – The U. E. Loyalists

At the outbreak of the American revolutionary war the batteaux were being gradually superseded by the Schenectady, and still later by the Durham, boats, though they did not finally disappear until half a century later. The Schenectady boats were so called after the town of that name on the Mohawk river, in the State of New York, where they were built. They were greatly used by the U. E. Loyalists, who fled from the revolted North American colonies during the progress of the war and on the conclusion of peace to make their homes in Canada. They are described as "being flat-bottomed, generally small, and rigged with an ungainly sail
Of the vessels built at Carleton Island during the war of independence one of the largest appears to have been the Ontario, which was pierced for and carried 22 guns. She was under the command of Captain Andrews, of the Royal Navy. This officer was also the first commissioner at the dock yard, besides being the commodore of the small fleet which was maintained upon the lake principally for the conveyance of troops and stores for their use. Some time between the years 1780 and 1783 whilst the Ontario was proceeding from Niagara to Oswego, having on board, in addition to her crew, a detachment of the 8th King's Regiment under the command of Colonel Burton [sic: Bolton], she encountered a fearful storm, and her gallant commander and all under his charge were totally lost. No less than one hundred and seventy-two persons perished on this occasion.
The Government had ship building yards at Murney's and at Navy Points. Among the vessels constructed there was the Speedy, schooner, besides the Mohawk, Mississaga and the Duke of Kent. The most of the early commanders of ships plying upon the lakes belonged to the Royal Navy. Among them were Captains Bouchette, Earle, Fortiche [sic: Fortier], McKenzie, Richardson, Steele and Paxton. The first named of these officers had in 1793 the entire command of the naval force on Lake Ontario.
THE FIRST MERCHANT VESSEL.
In the summer of 1793 there appeared on Lake Ontario for the first time the premier merchantman built in Canada. She was named the York, and had been constructed on the River Niagara in the previous year, 1792. Although sailing vessels were now being used, not only for the conveyance of merchandise, but also of passengers, other modes of transit by water were far from being obsolete, for we read in the Gazette, published August 1st, 1793, that "a few days ago the first division of his Majesty's corps of Queen's Rangers left Queenston for Toronto, now York, and proceeded in batteaux round the head of the Lake Ontario, by Burlington Bay." The second detachment of this gallant corps was, however, more favored, for we learn from the same authority that they "sailed in the King's vessels, the Onondago and Caldwell, for the same place." The last portion of the regiment left on the 29th of July, and they were accompanied by the General himself, the Gazette telling us: "On Monday evening his Excellency, the Lieutenant-Governor, left Navy Hall and embarked on board his Majesty's schooner, the Mississaga, which sailed immediately, with a favorable gale for York, with the remainder of the Queen's Rangers." Some days later the Onondago and Caldwell, having returned to Niagara from York, (Toronto) again sailed from the former port, the first conveying the Chief Justice of the province, the Honorable William Osgoode, and the Attorney-General, Mr. John White, to Kingston, the second having on board, en route for York, Major Littlehales, who was the much valued private secretary to the Lieut.-Governor. The next notice we have relating to the fleet on Lake Ontario is contained in the following general order, dated York, 26th of August, 1793 "His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor, having received information of the success of his Majesty's arms under His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, it is His Excellency's orders, that on the raising of the Union Flag at twelve o'clock to-morrow, a royal salute of twenty-one guns is to be fired, to be answered by the shipping in the harbor, in respect to His Royal Highness and in commemoration of the naming this harbor from his English title, York. E. B. Littlehales, Major of Brigade." The records of 1794 are very barren, but we do learn that early in that year the "Anondaga of 14 guns," the same vessel as that commanded by Commodore Bouchette, the "Onondago," there being some slight confusion in the names, was stranded at the entrance to the harbor and given up for lost. She was, however, got off the shoal and floated into deep water by the exertions of Lieutenant Joseph Bouchette. Several journeys appear to have been undertaken on the lake and River Thames during 1794 by the Governor, but they were all performed, so far as we can ascertain, in open boats. The following year, 1795, in June, General Simcoe is again at Navy Hall, Newark, and there is visited by, and hospitably entertains, the famous French traveller, the Duke of Rochefoucault de Liancourt. We quote from the published diary of that nobleman the following remarks. Again, says the same writer, "Governor Simcoe intends to make York the centre of the naval force on Lake Ontario. Only four gun-boats are at present on this lake, two of which are constantly employed in transporting merchandise; the other two, which alone are fit to carry troops and guns and have oars and sails, are lying under shelter until an occasion occurs to convert them to their intended purpose. It is the Governor's intention to build ten smaller gun-boats on Lake Ontario and ten on Lake Erie. The ship carpenters, who construct them, reside in the United States and return home every winter
Six Eventful Years, 1809-15
The First Steam Vessels -- The War of 1812 and the Battles on the lakes
The six years from the beginning of 1809 to the new year of 1815 form one of the moat interesting periods in Canadian history. They were marked by the first introduction of steamboat navigation on inland waters in Canada, and also by the occurrence of one of the most fiercely waged wars and hotly contested battles both by land and sea that England has ever been engaged in in conjunction with any of her dependencies. The first steamboat that ever floated on any waters or in any country appeared on the great River Hudson, in the United States, in the year 1807. The second sailed on Canadian waters in 1809, from and to Canadian ports. Canniff thus describes both vessels!--
"The River Hudson, named after the navigator of that name, who ascended this splendid stream--called by the native Indian: ' The Great River of Mountains'--in 1609, has the honour of being the place whereon floated the first steamboat that existed in the world. The boat was launched in the year 1807, being named Clermont. It was of 150 tons burden. The engine was procured from Birmingham. Robert Fulton, of New York, though not the originator of steam power, was the first in America who directed it to the propelling of boats. Fulton, the pioneer in boats by steam, lived not long enough to see accomplished the grand end of propelling boats across the Atlantic thus. He died in 1815. The second steamboat built in America was launched in Montreal 3rd November, 1809, built by John Molson. It was called Accommodation, and plied between Montreal and Quebec. At the first trip it carried ten passengers from Montreal to Quebec, taking thirty-six hours. The whole city of Quebec came out to see her enter the harbour. The fare was eight dollars down and nine up."
Of the vessels upon the lakes in 1809 and 1810 there are scarcely any records. There was the Bella Gore, in the latter year under the command of Captain Sanders, running between Niagara, York and Kingston. Another, commanded by Captain Grace, the name of which was not given, ran between the same ports; while yet a third plied between York and Niagara, commanded by Captain Conn, and from some peculiarity in her shape often spoken of as Captain Conn's coffin. The difficulties experienced in travelling from one portion of Canada to another in those days can hardly be even imagined by the younger generation of Canadians. They are accustomed to regard a trip to Montreal in a Pullman car or one of the floating palaces of the lake as a luxury rather than a toil, yet this is a description (contained in "Canniff's Upper Canada") of what travelling was here only three-quarters of a century since. He says: --
"The following is a most interesting instance of batteaux travelling put in our hands by the Rev. Mr. Miles:--' I left Kingston on the 6th of April, 1811, but as the travelling then was not as it is now, I did not arrive in Montreal till the 15th. I will just copy verbatim the journal I kept on my passage. Durham boats were scarce on the Canada tide at that time, but it was thought if I could get to the American shore I would find one on its way to Montreal. Well, I found a man in Kingston just from Grindstone Island, who had brought up some shingles and tar to sell, and he told me if 1 could get toBriton's Point, several miles down the river from Cape Vincent, and to which place he would take me, that he thought I would find a Durham boat there, and the following is my journal on that route;
"'GRINDSTONE ISLAND, April 11, 1811.-- Left Kingston yesterday, April 6th, at 3 p.m., in an open skiff, with R. Watson, a clerk in Dr. Jonas Abbott's store, and two hands belonging to the skiff; headwind; rowed hard till about eight in the evening, when, having blistered both hands and being very much fatigued, we drew our skiff on shore and camped on the shore of Long Island, about five miles above Grindstone Island; wind strong from the north; very cold and without victuals or fire; feet wet; slept some, walked some, and by daybreak was somewhat chilled; strong head wind; stuck close to our dear lodgings until eight, when the wind abated, and we stuck to our oars till about eleven o'clock, when we made Grindstone Island, weary and very hungry; eat a hearty dish of "sapon" and milk; rested about an hour; set off for Briton's tavern on the American shore, where we arrived about 4 p.m., the water being entirely calm; had not been on shore ten minutes, as good luck would have it, before we engaged a passage for Cornwall in a Durham boat, and a breeze coming up directly from the south, our American boats immediately hoisted sail and proceeded about thirty miles,when the wind changed, and we put into a bay on Grenadier Island, about nine in the evening; ate some supper at a house owned by Mr. Baxter; spread a sail upon the floor, and seven boatman and four passengers camped down before the fire; in the morning I felt my bones as though they had been lying on the soft side of a hard, rough floor. April 8--Head wind still; wished myself either at Kingston or Montreal. April 9--Still a head wind; must take it as it comes; reading and writing the order of the day; at 7 p. m. hoisted sail; at 1 a.m. arrived at a house on the Canada shore, and slept on the floor until daylight. April 10--Left for Ogdensburg. where we arrived at 3 p.m.; found an old acquaintance and passed the afternoon quite agreeably, April 11--Had a good night's rest; still a head wind; found the printing office and composed types the greater part of the day. April 12--Still a head wind. April 13-- Left Ogdensburg and arrived at Cornwall. April 14.--Left Cornwall and arrived at McGee's, Lake St. Francis. April 15--Left McGee's and arrived at Montreal about 8 p.m. Travelling expenses from Kingston to Montreal, $9 75.' "
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.
The fact has already been referred to that in the previous October a steamboat, the first built in Upper Canada, had been commenced near Kingston. The following account of the circumstances attending her construction is taken from "The Settlement of Upper Canada," the bay referred to is that of Quinte:--
The first steamboat on Lake Ontario, the Frontenac, was built upon the shores of the bay, at Finkle's Point, Ernesttown, eighteen miles from Kingston, and within the corporation of Bath. She was commenced in October, 1815, and launched the following season. The three years of war had caused many changes in Upper Canada. On the whole it may be said that the war materially benefited the province.
After peace things did not relapse into their former state. A spirit of enterprise was abroad, especially in the mercantile community. The leading men of Kingston conceived the idea of forming a company to build a steamboat to ply on Lake Ontario and the navigable waters of the St. Lawrence. A company was consequently formed composed of individuals belonging to Kingston, Niagara, Queenston, York and Prescott. The shareholders of Kingston were Joseph Forsyth, Yeomans, Marsh, Lawrence, Herkimer,John Kirby,Capt. Murney, William Mitchell, and, in fact, all of the principal men except the Cartwright family. Advertisements were issued for tenders to construct the boat. The advertisement was responded to by two parties, a Scotchman by the name of Bruce, from Montreal and Henry Teabout from Sackett's Harbor. Bruce was several days at Kingston before the other person arrived, and he supposed he would get the contract. Mr. Finkle says Teabout came with a letter from Hooker and Crane to Johns and Finkle, informing them who Teabout was, and asking them to favor him with their influence in procuring the contract. The letter was shown to Mr. Kirby, of Kingston, who was one of the committee of the company. Mr. Kirby assured Finkle and Johns that, notwithstanding the prejudice which existed on account of the war, the tender of Teabout should receive every justice. No other tender being made, the committee met and decided by a small majority to accept Teabout's. All those who voted for Bruce "were either Scotch or of Scottish descent." Teabout having received the contract, at once, with Finkle, set about to find a place to build. After two days' examination of the coast he selected Finkle's Point, in consequence of the gravelly nature of the shore, as thereby would be obviated the delay which frequently followed rains, where soils would not quickly dry. The next consideration was to advance £5,000 to go to New York to procure a ship carpenter and other necessaries to commence operations. " Accordingly we (Johns and Finkle) became security, with the understanding that so soon as the boat should be so far advanced as to be considered worth the security, our bond will be returned. So satisfactorily did the work progress that the bond was shortly handed to us by the Treasurer, who was William Mitchell. Here I will digress a short time. During the war of 1812David Eckford [sic: Henry], the master ship-builder of New York, was sent to Sackett's Harbor to take charge of the shipbuilding at that place and brought with him his carpenters. Among them were three young men, Henry Teabout, James Chapman and William Smith. The last was born on Staten Island, the other two in New York. Teabout and Smith served their time with Eckford. Chapman was a block turner. At the close of the war these three formed a co-partnership, and Teabout, in contracting for building the Frontenac, was acting for the company. Before building the steamboat they had built for themselves at Sackett's Harbor, the Kingston, the only craft plying between Sackett's Harbor and Kingston, and a fine schooner for the lake called the Woolsley. Chapman was in charge of the Kingston and was doing a more than ordinarily profitable business. Bruce's friends wished to do something for him and had him appointed at a guinea a day to inspect the timber of the Frontenac. His study was to delay the building of the boat. There was a constant contest between him and Teabout."
The contract price of the wood work was £7,000. When the boat was almost ready for the machinery the contractor's funds were expended. The engine cost £7,000. Before the vessel was completed the cost reached nearly the sum of £20,000.
THE STEAMER LAUNCHED.
The Kingston Gazette informs us that:-- " On Saturday, the 7th of September, 1816, the steamboat Frontenac was launched at the village of Ernesttown. A numerous concourse of people assembled on the occasion. But, in consequence of an approaching shower, a part of the spectators withdrew before the launch actually took place. The boat moved slowly from her place, and descended with majestic sweep into her proper element. The length of her keel is 150 feet; her deck 170 feet (the tonnage was about 700). Her proportions strike the eye very agreeably, and good judges have pronounced this to be the best piece of naval architecture of the kind yet produced in America. It reflects honor upon Messrs. Teabout & Chapman, the contractors, and their workmen; and also upon the proprietors, the greater part of whom are among the most respectable merchants and other inhabitants of the County of Frontenac, from which the name is derived. The machinery for this valuable boat was imported from England, and is said to be of an excellent structure. It is expected that she will be finished and ready for use in a few weeks. Steam navigation having succeeded to admiration in various rivers, the application of it to the waters of the lakes is an interesting experiment. Every friend to public improvement must wish it all the success which is due to a spirit of useful enterprise." The Gazette adds:--" A steamboat was lately launched at Sackett's Harbor. The opposite sides of the lake, which not long ago vied with each other in the building of ships of war, seem now to be equally emulous of commercial superiority." Gourley says the boat at Sackett's Harbor was on a smaller scale and less expensive. "She the Frontenac, was estimated to cost £14,000; before she commenced her journeys, her cost exceeded £20,000." "The deck was 170 feet long and thirty-two feet wide, draws only eight feet when loaded. Two paddle-wheels with about 40 feet circumference; answers slowly to the helm."
In the following year this interesting information is gleaned from the columns of the Kingston Gazette of May 24th:--
"Yesterday afternoon the steamboat left Mr. Kirby's wharf for the dock at Point Frederick. We are sorry to hear that through some accident, the machinery of one of the wheels has been considerably damaged, notwithstanding which, however, she moved with majestic grandeur against a strong wind. We understand she has gone to the dock, it being a more convenient place for putting in a suction pipe."
Just a week later, on May 31st, the same paper tells its readers that " The steamboat Frontenac, after having completed the necessary work at the naval yard, left this port yesterday morning for the purpose of taking in wood at the Bay Quinte. A fresh breeze was blowing into the harbor, against which she proceeded swiftly and steadily, to the admiration of a great number of spectators. We congratulate the managers or proprietors of this elegant boat, upon the prospects she affords of facilitating the navigation of Lake Ontario, by furnishing an expeditious and certain mode of conveyance to its various points." "June 7th, 1817. The Frontenac left this port on Thursday, 5th, on her first trip for the head of the lake."
Upon this, her maiden trip, the Frontenac was under the command of Captain James McKenzie, a gallant sailor, who had previously served in the Royal Navy. A. G. Petrie was her purser. Captain McKenzie commanded the Frontenac as long as she remained on the lake.
The route of the Frontenac was from Prescott to York and back once a week. Later on she went further westward than the latter port, but in her earlier days, or very early days rather, there is no record of her having done so.
Captain James McKenzie first served on the lakes during the war of 1812. When peace was concluded he, like so many others, both of the naval and military services, was placed on half pay. An inactive life in England, though, was foreign to his tastes, so, having in the meantime made himself acquainted with the nature of the steam engine, and seeing that it was the propelling power of the future, he returned to Canada in 1816, and his services were soon made available in constructing the first of her now magnificent fleet of steamers.
ERIE'S FIRST STEAMER.
The first steamboat built to ply on Lake Erie was Walk-in-the-Water, built at Buffalo at the same time the Frontenac was commenced at Kingston, beginning her voyages at almost the same period as the former.
Referring to the Kingston, the vessel mentioned as having been built by Teabout and Chapman, at Sackett's Harbor. She was meant to run from Lewiston to Ogdensburg, her length was one hundred and her width twenty-four feet, her burthen being about 246 tons. She appears to have been a failure and speedily disappeared.
The arrival at Ernesttown of the machinery for a second steamer has already been referred to. She was named the Queen Charlotte, and was launched April 22nd, 1818, the Frontenac having resumed her trips for the season, navigation having re-opened, three days earlier, on April 19th.
The following additional details concerning her are given by Canniff.
"Almost immediately after the Frontenac was launched a second steamboat was commenced. The material which had been collected while building the Frontenac had not all been used, and went far in the construction of the Queen Charlotte, which was destined to be the pioneer steamer upon the Bay Quinte and River St. Lawrence in its upper waters. She was built by shares of £50 each. Johns and Finkle had nine shares. She was built (Gildersleeve, being the principal shipwright), launched, and commenced running in the early part of 1818. The engine was furnished by Brothers Wards, of Montreal, being made at their foundry. She was not long launched before she was ready to run. She made trips twice a week from Wilkins' Wharf, at the Carrying Place, to Prescott. She was commanded a few of the first trips by an old veteran captain named Richardson, who lived then near Picton and afterwards to the close of the season, by a young man named Mosier. Of the number of passengers on the first trip we have no knowledge, but suppose them to be few, for Belleville, then the largest place above Kingston, was a mere hamlet -- Trent,Hallowell, Adolphustown and Bath were the only stopping places from the head of the bay to Kingston. They were regulated in their course the first summer by frequently heaving the lead, an old man-of-war's man being on board for the purpose. (Collins reported in 1788 that vessels drawing only from eight to ten feet of water can go into the Bay of Quinte). For two seasons she was commanded by Captain Dennis; Mr. Gildersleeve was purser the second and third seasons; and the fourth commenced his captaincy, which lasted as long as the boat was seaworthy, a period of nearly twenty years: he was at the building, a master shipwright, and became a stockholder.
The fare from the head of the Bay of Quinte to Kingston for the first season was £1 5s. currency, equal to $5; this included meals. The Charlotte was a very acceptable improvement in the navigation of the day. A few of the owners of sailing craft, perhaps, suffered for a time; but the settlers regarded her as an unmixed blessing. During the first years she was so accommodating as to stop anywhere to pick up a passenger from a small boat or let one off. She was not a commercial success until Gildersleeve became her commander; after that she paid well. She ran for many years, and was finally broken up on the shores of Cataraqui Bay. In this year an important amendment was made in the Lighthouse Act, which has been before referred to as having been passed in 1803. It was felt to be a great hardship at ports where there was no lighthouse that the ships frequenting or passing that port should be subject to lighthouse dues, so it was enacted that "No vessel, boat, raft, or other craft of the burthen of ten tons and upwards shall be liable to pay any lighthouse duty at any port where there shall be no lighthouse erected, any law or usage to the contrary notwithstanding."
MORE CHANGES STILL.
The Kingston Gazette, in its impression of May 12th, contains the following paragraph,
dated York, April 30, relating that:-- " Captain Patterson, of the schooner May Flower, last week tried in this harbor the power of a machine which he has invented for propelling small vessels in light winds or to work out of harbor with a contrary wind. The experiment completely answered his expectations, the vessel proceeding with a comparatively small power at the rate of three knots, or miles, per hour, and he feels confident that when the machinery is complete it will perform at the rate of five miles per hour." This is the first reference to the schooner named herein, also to the machine of Captain Patterson's invention. It is also the last, so it may be presumed it was not a very great success The same paper contains an advertisement from the Assistant Commissary General's office offering for sale "a number of batteaux and Durham boats, with their appurtenances," also a "second-hand cable." On May 8th the Frontenac arrived at Kingston from Niagara, having on board two companies of the 70th regiment. The following week, May 19th, the Gazette mentions the fact that the stage between Kingston and Prescott had been discontinued, adding, "This would be more regretted had not the new steamboat Charlotte now commenced running up and down the river, so that travellers on this route may be accommodated with a safe and agreeable passage by water instead of the former carriage by land." A terrible storm swept over Lake Ontario in the middle of this month. The Gazette thus refers to it:--" The steamboat Ontario, which was, in the recent storm, driven on a ledge of flat rock near Oswego, has been got off and arrived here this morning." The paper aids that the damage, though not inconsiderable, is less than was anticipated, and concludes its remarks thus:--" It is expected she will be ready for further operations in a week or fortnight at the fartherest (sic)." The Ontario was an American vessel, belonging to Sackett's Harbor.
As soon as navigation opened in 1819 the Frontenac is again mentioned, for the Kingston Chronicle, April 30th, contains this advertisement:--
"The steamboat Frontenac, James McKenzie, Master, will in future leave the different ports on the following days:--
"Kingston for" York on 1st, 11th and 25th days of each month. York for Queenston on 3rd, 13th and 23rd days of each month. Niagara for Kingston, 5th, 15th and 25th days of each month.
"Rates of passages from Kingston to York and Niagara £3. From York to Niagara £1; children under three years of age half price, above three and under ten two-thirds. A book will be kept for entering the names of passengers and the berths which they may choose, at which time the passage money must be paid. Passengers are allowed eighty pounds weight of baggage. Surplus baggage will be paid for at the usual rate. Gentlemen's servants cannot eat or sleep in the cabins. Deck passengers will pay fifteen shillings, and may either bring their own provisions or be furnished by the steward. For each dog brought on board five shillings. All applications for passage to be made to Captain McKenzie on board."
The advertisement then gives particulars as to the charges for freight, concluding:-- "For each small parcel, 2s 6d, which must be paid on delivery." The date is "Kingston, April 28, 1819."
RATES AND CHARGES.
A few weeks previously to the date of the foregoing advertisement, the following notice was issued by a syndicate who were "running" a line of Durham boats. In it the Frontenac is referred to by name and the Charlotte by inference. It is thus worded:--
"The subscribers, having established a line of Durham boats from this place, propose forwarding from the different ports of the lake to that of Montreal on the following terms, viz.:--
"From York, Niagara, Queenston and the head of the lake, far each barrel of flour delivered at the port of Montreal, 5s 6d.
"From Kingston to the port of Montreal, for each barrel of flour, 4s 6d.
"From York, Niagara, Queenston and the head of the lake, for each barrel of potash delivered at the port of Montreal, 12s 6d.
"From Kingston to the port of Montreal, for each barrel of potash, 10s.
"From York, Niagara, Queenston and the head of the lake, for each barrel of pork delivered at the port of Montreal, 8s 3d.
"From Kingston to the port of Montreal, for each barrel of pork, 6s 9d.
"Merchandise will be transported by the same means from Lachine to Kingston, at the rate of 5s per cwt.
"An elegant passage boat will also leave Kingston every tenth day for Montreal, which will be fitted up in the most commodious manner and prevent any delay to passengers leaving the upper part of the lake in the steamboat Frontenac, it having been built for the purpose of leaving this place immediately after her arrival.
"These arrangements will take effect at
the opening of the navigation, and be continued during the season.
" THOMAS MARKLAND,
" PETER SMITH,
" LAWRENCE HERKIMER,
" JOHN KIRBY,
" WILLIAM MITCHELL
"Kingston, February, 1819."
There were on the lake in the year 1819, besides the sailing vessels already mentioned, the Wood Duck, apparently a small schooner, the Red Rover, (Captain Thew), and the Britannia, the property of Matthew Crooks, of Niagara. She was splendidly modelled, of 120 tons burthen, and was under command of Captain Miller. In addition to these we find at various times from 1815 to 1819, the Jane, under Robert Hughson, the Willing Maid, John Smith, and the Asp, under George Miller, The May Flower also still plied from York to Niagara and Kingston.
A new steamer, known as the Dalhousie, was commenced in 1819, which will be described fully in the next chapter.
A Progressive Enterprise, 1819 to 1837.
The March of Improvement -- More Steamers and More Trade
In the preceding chapter a very brief reference was made to the Dalhousie as being a new addition to the fleet of steamers on the lake. She was built at Prescott, ran from that port to Kingston, and was a large steamer of 350 tons burthen.
There was a very well known schooner on the lakes about 1820 called the John Watkins; she was afterwards commanded by Captain Thew. This gentleman once found himself in an awkward position in consequence of flying from his masthead an ensign which vessels of the Royal Navy alone have the right to carry. She, to his great amazement, when lying off Kingston, was boarded by an officer and detachment of marines from an English man-of-war adjacent, and his colours confiscated. They were, however, soon afterwards restored to him upon his representing to the Admiralty that they had been displayed inadvertently. As a matter of fact the flags had been a present to Captain Thew from Mr. Thomas Dennie Harris, of Toronto. This gentleman was the well-known merchant of King street west. His place of business was situated at the warehouse known as No. 124. He retired from business some years later, and at his death was harbor master of the city.
The Lady Sarah Maitland was another of the lake schooners, Sinclair was her captain. Like others of those who commanded sailing craft he afterwards had charge of a steamer.
This schooner received her name in compliment to the wife of Sir Peregrine Maitland. Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada for nearly ten years. Lady Sarah was a daughter of the Duke of Richmond and was one of the "fair women" who were at the celebrated ball given in Brussels by the Duchess of Richmond on the eve of Waterloo.
Early in 1820 a schooner known as The Brothers, built for a joint stock company, of which Mr. Gates was one of the principal shareholders, was launched at York. No such event had taken place for a number of years previously. There was another small vessel called the Caledonia. She ran between York and Prescott, or crawled rather, as it took her no less than six days on one occasion, and that in September, to accomplish the distance from Prescott to York.
A WONDERFUL VESSEL !
On July 1820 there was launched at York a sloop called the Richmond, of 100 tons burthen. She sailed from York to Niagara under the command of Edward Oates, who was a large shareholder in her. We learn from an advertisement in the Observer, dated July 17, 1820, that: "The Richmond has excellent accommodations (sic) for ladies, gentlemen and other passengers, and nothing will be omitted to make her one of the completest and safest passage vessels of the class in America, being manned with experienced mariners." This very modest announcement is signed by Edward Oates and is issued from York. Captain Oates' trumpeter had evidently been dead for a very considerable period.
Two years afterwards Captain Oates is again to the fore, for he advertises the sailing arrangements for that summer. Not only does he "respectfully inform his friends and the public, that his packet shall leave York and Niagara" on certain days specified, feat he also adds this emphatic assurance that "passengers may depend on a passage on those days." He concludes thus loftily: "The superiority of sailing and accommodation for ladies and gentlemen are too well known to the public to make any comment upon." This advertisement bore date York, June 1st, 1822. As an amusing specimen of "putting on frills" in the advertising line, it has few equals. There are still some old people remaining with us (1893) who as children were passengers on this incomparable packet. The lapse of more than sixty years has failed to obliterate the wretched memory of some, at least, of her voyages from York to Niagara. This schooner came to a disastrous end, being wrecked near Brighton, on Presqu'Isle Bay, in 1826.
SOME NOTABLE STEAMERS.
In 1824 another steamer of no less than 350 tons was built at Queenston, and was called by that name when she was launched in 1825. She was owned by the Hon. Robert Hamilton, and at first commanded by Captain Whitney. The Queenston ran from Prescott via York to Niagara, and was in constant demand by the Government as a trooper. This boat will be mentioned frequently as the history proceeds.
In the spring of 1825, just prior to the launch of the Queenston, there was an ice jam in the Niagara river, causing the river to rise. Owing to the great pressure of the ice against her it was found desirable to keep blocking the vessel up and extend her ways. Owing to this she was forced some distance up the gully or ravine beyond the place upon which her keel had been laid.
A small steamer known as the Caroline, of only 75 tons burthen, was built at Kingston in 1825. Her route was from the head of Bay of Quinte to Prescott.
On June 3, 1826, the Loyalist publishes this announcement:
"The new steamboat Canada was towed into port this week by the Toronto from the mouth of the River Rouge where she was built during the last winter. She will shortly be fitted up for her intended route, which we understand will be from York and Niagara round the head of the lake and will add another to the increasing facilities of conveyance in Upper Canada. Six steamers," the Loyalist adds, " now navigate the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario in this province besides the Canada and a boat nearly ready for launching in Brockville."
In this year, as in its predecessors, the Frontenac was steadily employed. On June 9th she arrived in York harbor having on board for duty at the garrison the headquarters division of the 70th Regiment, and as that corps disembarked she received a detachment of the 76th Regiment en route to Quebec. The same paper refers to the arrival at York on the preceding Tuesday of the steamer Queenston.
An American vessel known as the Martha Ogden was also plying this year between York and Niagara. She was the property of a United States firm of merchants.
THE FIRST "CITY."
The steamer Toronto was commenced at York late in the year 1824 or early in 1825. She was built at the foot of Church street, on the bay, and was of peculiar build, being constructed of half inch planks and the same shape at both ends. She is described by Dr. Scadding as being "A shell of successive layers of rather thin boards placed alternately lengthwise and athwart, with coatings between of stout brown paper, pitched." She ran between Kingston and Prescott a short time, afterwards to Toronto. She proved a failure, and after a few seasons disappeared. She was commanded by an American captain named Shaw, and afterwards by Capt Mclntosh.
Of the steamboat Canada, which has just been referred to as being in tow of the Toronto, the Loyalist, in its impression of August 18th, 1826, says (and as evidencing the strides that were being made in the means of communication on the lakes, the following passage is quoted in extenso):--
"The new steamboat Canada, Captain Richardson, made her first trip to Niagara on Monday last, and went out of the harbor in fine style. Her appearance reflects much credit on her builder, Mr. Joseph Dennis, and the machinery manufactured by Messrs. Wards, of Montreal is a specimen of superior workmanship.
"The combined excellence of the model and machinery of this boat are such as will render her what is usually termed a 'fast boat.' The trip to Niagara was performed in four hours and some minutes. Her present route we observe is advertised from York to Niagara and the head of the lake.
"On noticing this first trip of another steam boat we cannot help contrasting the present means of conveyance with those ten years ago. At that time only a few schooners navigated the lake, and this passage was attended with many delays and much inconvenience Now there are fire steam boats all affording excellent accommodation and the means of expeditious travelling. The routes of each are so arranged that almost every day of the week the traveller may find opportunities of being conveyed from one extremity of the lake to the other in a few hours." The paper then gives a list of the steamers running at that time and their routes. They were "The Niagara and Queenston from Prescott, the Frontenac from Kingston once a week, with the Canada and Martha Ogden, between York, Niagara and the head of the lake every day. Affording," remarks the Loyalist, most complacently, "facilities of communication which the most sanguine could scarcely have anticipated at the period we speak of." After a passing reference to a steamer called the Cornwall, running on Lake St. Louis, and to the Charlotte, Toronto and Dalhousie, the article concludes thus eloquently:
"These are some of the evidences of improvement among us during the past few years, which require no comment. They speak for themselves, and it must be pretty evident from such facts as these that those who cannot or will not see the progress we are making must be wilfully blind."
The Niagara mentioned in the preceding paragraphs had been built at Prescott, and was under the command of Captain Mosier, who is mentioned previously as in command of a schooner between Kingston and Sackett's Harbor. The Niagara had rather a curious history. She was originally a sailing vessel, owned and commanded by Captain Mosier, and called the Union, of Wellington Grove. Owing either to her being faultily built, or from some unknown cause, she suddenly capsized in the River St. Lawrence, near Prescott. Captain Mosier, nothing daunted, succeeded after a time in righting and getting her into dock at Kingston. There he cut her in two, added about thirty feet to her length by an insertion, and then launched her as a steamer. The Loyalist describes her as "a handsome and well built boat with a powerful engine and most excellent accommodation for travellers."
Frequent mention is made of this vessel throughout the season. Early in the month of September " the steamboat Niagara, Captain Mosier, made her trip last week from York to Prescott and back again in something less than four days," She called each journey at Kingston, Gananoque and Brockville, and the distance covered was nearly five hundred miles. Considering the numerous and lengthy stoppages that had to be made, this must certainly be considered as, for the period, a very creditable performance.
SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS.
The accident which occurred to the Niagara in the previous November was much more serious than had been anticipated, for the Loyalist of May 26th, says:
"The report in circulation last week that the steamboat Niagara had been got off from the beach near Long Point where she was unfortunately stranded last fall is incorrect." The paper adds the expression of its confident hope that she will in a few days be afloat and that they will soon have it in their power to announce her safe arrival in port.
The Loyalist of April 21st records the fact of the accidental drowning of the mate of the Canada in these words:--" George Reid, mate of the steamboat Canada, was last night drowned by falling from the plank leading from the wharf to the vessel. It is painful to hear that the unfortunate man leaves a wife and five children to lament his sudden loss."
THE "LOYALIST" ASKS FOR MORE.
The Loyalist is at this time desirous that more steamers should be added to the lake fleet and thus brings the subject before its readers.
"The Queenston performs her trips regularly from Prescott to York and Niagara once every week. The convenience of a second and even a third boat would, however, be a great accommodation to travellers. We are happy to hear that Captain McKenzie, late in command of the Frontenac, (now laid up) has made arrangements for building a new boat to be propelled by an engine of greater power than that of any other now navigating the lake. The acknowledged ability of Captain McKenzie while in command of the Frontenac, the regularity with which her trips were performed, and the attention he at all times bestowed on the comfort and convenience of his passengers, induce us to hope that the undertaking he has commenced will speedily be carried into effect."
The Dalhousie, under the command of Captain A. McDonell, resumed her trips between Prescott and Kingston on May 2nd, leaving the former port on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the latter on Mondays and Thursdays, stopping each way for half an hour at Brockville and Gananoque. The advertisement concludes thus:--"Passengers must be punctual, as the boat carries the mail; she cannot be delayed for anyone." On June 9th, following, an advertisement appears in the Kingston papers offering the Frontenac for sale. We quote the same in its entirety.
"By public auction will be sold on Monday, the second of July next, at Kingston, as she now lays at wharf, the steamboat Frontenac, with her anchors, chain-cables, rigging, etc., also the engine, of 50 horse power, manufactured by Messrs. Watt and Boulton. Sale to commence at 10 o'clock a. m., on board. For any further information application to be made to Mr. Strange, Kingston, or to John Hamilton, Queenston, June 1, 1827."
No sale took place or if the vessel was ever offered publicly it was withdrawn.
The Queenston, under the command of Captain James Whitney, running between Prescott, Kingston, York, the head of the lake and Niagara, was constantly employed in 1827 in the conveyance of troops from and to these various ports. It is announced in her advertisement for the season under date May 25th, that "every endeavor has been made to render the accommodation and fare on board of the best description."
Captain Richardson's steamer, the Canada, was rather unfortunate this year. In the end of July, while crossing the lake from Niagara to York, she broke her main shaft.
GOOD-BYE THE FRONTENAC.
This accident was, though, happily repaired in about three weeks, for we learn from the Loyalist that she re-commenced her trips to and from Niagara on the 7th August. She was again subject to severe damage in a storm on the lake during October, but was not incapacitated for service. On December 1st she made her last trip for that season and laid by for the winter.
We have just mentioned that an attempt had been made to dispose of the Frontenac. It came to nothing at the time, and at the end of August her owner, Mr. Hamilton, removed her to Niagara There she was set on fire, the Loyalist of September 29th thus referring to this dastardly act:--
"The Messrs. Hamilton, proprietors of the steamboat Frontenac, have offered a reward of £100 for the discovery of the persons who set fire to that vessel some time ago. The Frontenac, after being fired, was loosed from her moorings and had drifted some distance into the lake, when she was met by the Niagara, Captain Mosier, who took her in tow and succeeded in bringing her to the wharf at Niagara, where, after some exertions, the flames were extinguished." She was soon afterwards broken up, and thus terminated the existence of the first steamboat built on Lake Ontario. Sic transit gloria mundi.
THE FAMOUS ALCIOPE.
Early in 1828, on March 27th, Sir Peregrine and Lady Sarah Maitland, the former being the Lieutenant-Governor of the Upper Province, embarked at York, on board the Canada, for Stamford. This journey of his Excellency's involved Captain Richardson in an amusing, though somewhat heated, discussion in the columns of the Colonial Advocate, with the editor of that journal. Captain Richardson had been accused of permitting undue exclusiveness on board the Canada, in the exclusion of other passengers upon the occasion of the Lieutenant-Governor's journey. After first of all denying the report that on account of the presence of their Excellencies other passengers were declined, and then giving an emphatic assurance that had his distinguished guests so wished ii no one else would have been taken on that trip, Captain Richardson concludes his letter to the Advocate thus:
"As long as I command the Canada, and have a rag of color to hoist, my proudest day will be when it floats at her masthead indicative of the presence and commands of the representative of my King.
"HUGH RICHARDSON,
"Master and managing owner of the Canada steam packet, April llth, 1828."
Among sailing vessels employed upon the lakes in 1828 was the Canadian, built at York, and launched there about the middle of April. She was the property of William Gamble, afterwards of Milton Mills, Etobicoke, and Captain Bowkett, who commanded her. She was used principally for the transport of grain.
A passenger vessel, of about 80 tons burthen, known afterwards as the George the Fourth, and plying between Kingston and York, was also launched a day or two earlier than the Canadian. There was besides a well known schooner called the Catherine, commanded by Captain Campbell, conveying goods and passengers between York and Niagara.
Late in May or in the very early days of June, 1828, a new steamer, designed to succeed the Frontenac, was launched at Niagara, where she had been constructed by her owners, Robert Hamilton and Andrew Heron. She arrived in York, it being her first voyage, on June 26th, 1828. The Loyalist thus speaks of the event:--
"The new steamboat Alciope, built at Niagara, owned by Robert Hamilton, Esq., and commanded by Capt. McKenzie, late of the Frontenac, with a number of ladies and gentlemen on a party of pleasure, made her first entry into our harbor on Thursday last. She is a fine model, and fitted up in a most elegant and convenient manner for passengers. She commences her regular trips, we understand, next week, and under the command of Captain McKenzie, so well known for his skill and experience as a seaman, and for attention to his passengers, we have no doubt the Alciope will be found a valuable acquisition to the regular communication which is now afforded by means of the several steamboats plying on the lake, and that she will receive a share of that public patronage which is so deservedly bestowed upon the owners and commanders of other boats whose public-spirited exertions are worthy of the highest praise."
Many people have wondered why this vessel received the name she did. It is a purely fanciful one, and though apparently of Greek origin, does not belong to any of the ancient heroes or heroines, whether real or mythological.
SOME MORE FAMOUS BOATS.
On June 7th, 1828, the Loyalist mentions that Commodore Barrie in " his Majesty's schooner Cockburn entered this port (York) on Monday last, and on landing at the Garrison was received by a salute, which was returned from the schooner. The yacht Bullfrog was in company with the Cockburn."
The Commodore intended to proceed by land to Lake Simcoe, thence on a tour of inspection of the several naval depots of the lakes.
There is a passing allusion to the Alciope in the Loyalist of September 6tb, respecting the movements of that vessel for the remainder of the season.
On the 27th of the same month Mr. George Savage advertises from York that " His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to appoint him Collector of Customs for that port." He succeeded Mr. William Allan.
The schooner George Canning ran between York and Niagara at this time. Captain J. Whitney, afterwards famous as captain of one of the lake steamers, was in command.
In the following year, 1829, was built at Bath, upon the Bay of Quinte, by Gildersleeve, the Sir James Kempt. She was commanded by various captains and ran between Prescott and Belleville, attaining a speed of about twelve miles an hour.
SOLDIER AND STATESMAN.
This steamer received her name out of compliment, not, as might be supposed, to a famous sailor, but to a noted soldier and statesman. Sir James Kempt, sometime Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia, afterwards Governor-General of Canada. He had seen service in many different parts of the world; in India, Holland, Naples, Sicily; during the Peninsular war also, where at the assault on the Castle of Badajoz he was severely wounded. He recovered from his injuries, and during the remainder of the campaign was present as Major-General, commanding a brigade at the battles of Vittoria, Vera, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes and Toulouse. Though he was again wounded at Nivelle he remained on the field until the conclusion of the action. Finally he commanded the 8th Brigade at Quatre Bras and Waterloo.
In a history of the lake shipping, published some years since, this vessel is erroneously described as the Sir James Kemp. It is difficult to understand how such an error could have been made, as there was but one Sir James Kempt and but one steamer named after him. No one of the name of Kemp ever occupied any prominent position in Canada either. But humanum est errare.
In 1829 we have the Canada, Niagara, Queenston and Alciope all plying between Kingston, York and Niagara. The opening of navigation was exceedingly late in this year, for on May 16th it is noticed in the Loyalist that "the steamboats have some difficulty in getting into the Niagara river from the large quantities of ice passing down from the upper lake."
The Toronto and Dalhousie in this season were both running between Kingston and Prescott.
In 1830 a famous vessel was commenced and launched. This was the Great Britain of 700 tons, owned by the Honorable John Hamilton and at first commanded by Captain J. Whitney, and her route was from Kingston to Niagara by the head of the lake. She was a great favorite with the emigrants from the old country, possibly to a very great extent on account of her name. She was the largest vessel then on the lakes. The Upper Canada Herald, published at Kingston, announces on December 8,1830:
THREE NOTABLE STEAMERS.
In addition to the Britannia, in the same year were built the Cobourg, the Kingston and the Brockville. Each of these steamers received its name from the place where it was constructed. The Cobourg was of 500 tons burthen, and up to this date only one vessel, the Frontenac, had equalled her in this point, and only one excelled her, namely, the Great Britain.
She was the property of Charles and James McIntosh, two brothers, both of whom died on board of her from an attack of cholera in the year 1834. She plied from Prescott to the head of the lake, and for some time was under the charge of Captain Zealand. She will be heard of again from time to time in this history, notably in 1837 and 1838 during the rebellion. She finally became a tow boat.
The Kingston was a comparatively small steamer of only 200 tons. Her route at first was from Hamilton to Toronto, when she was in charge of Captain Ives. Then she was sent to the Bay of Quinte, where, at a later date, Captain Grass took charge of her. She was built by J. G. Parker, a well-known Kingston man. She did not prove a very great success.
The Brockville was of 350 tons burthen, in length 145 feet, in width 22 1/2 feet, and her cabin was 84 feet long.
The Brockville Recorder of August 30, 1833, says: " The steamboat Brockville is to be launched on Wednesday, September 4th, at 12 o'clock noon. The Great Britain and William IV. are expected to be in this port at that hour." In another paragraph the editor complacently remarks regarding the Brockville that "she will probably be the fastest and best finished boat on the Canadian waters."
Her builders were Shay & Merritt, of Montreal, and her engines were supplied by Avery, of Syracuse. She made her first trip between Brockville and the Long Sault, under the command of Captain L. Hilliard, on April 1st, 1834.
STILL MORE STEAMERS.
In an advertisement respecting the movements of the steamer Cobourg for the season of 1834 it is noticeable that York has now become Toronto. The latter place is so described with the parenthetical addition "late York."
In 1834 the Commodore Barrie was built at Kingston by Henry Gildersleeve. She was of 275 tons capacity, and her commander was James Sinclair. Her route was from Prescott to Toronto and Niagara. Her advertisement states that she was propelled by two superior low pressure engines of Messrs. Ward & Co. manufacture.
From the Western Mercury of August 7. 1834, published at Hamilton, it is learned that a new steamboat built at Oakville, (and known as the Oakville,) had commenced running daily between Hamilton and Toronto, Sundays excepted. This steamer is described as being a very handsome boat and elegantly fitted up. . Her captain was James Mills.
The St. George, a fine steamer of 400 tons, was built and launched at Kingston early in 1834. She ran from there to the head of the lake. A paragraph is contained in the Hamilton Western Mercury of June 16th in that year saying that the steamers Constitution, with 70 emigrants,the Cobourg, St. George and William IV. with 350, 110 and 90 respectively had landed these passengers at Hamilton.
The St. George's commanding officer was Lieutenant Harper, R. N. The vessel he commanded was at this time the only low pressure, schooner-rigged vessel on the lake, and it was claimed for her by her owners that as a sea-boat there were none to surpass, if any to equal, her. Among the other steamers plying between the various lake ports at this time was an American steamer, whose route was from Ogdensburgh to Kingston, thence by Sackett's Harbor, Oswego and Rochester to Toronto, proceeding from there to Niagara and Lewiston. She was called the Oswego, Captain J. T. Homans. A steamer known as the Enterprise was also built at Kingston in 1834, but she ran for a very brief period, being speedily broken up. Another, known as the Union, to ply between Hamilton and Toronto, was also completed at Oakville at nearly the same time. She was owned by a joint stock company. She was afterwards converted into a barque.
A steamer called the Peter Robinson, built late in 1833, or very early in the following year, to ply upon Lake Simcoe, was offered for sale in the summer of 1834 by her owner, Mr. Charles Thompson, the reason alleged being that he (Thompson) found it impossible to be absent from home to attend to the boat himself. However, Mr. Thompson had to make it possible, for no sale was effected just then at any rate. Those who knew Lake Simcoe at a much later date than 1834 will not much wonder at it.
A paragraph appeared in the Kingston Chronicle late in July of a somewhat enigmatical nature, announcing that several " should circumstances permit," would be speedily added to the lake service. What this referred to was never clearly explained, or even explained at all.
STILL THEY COME.
Another steamer that did good service on the lakes was built in 1835 in Scotland and put together in Montreal, and under Captain James Sutherland plied upon the lake. She was called the Traveller, and she did not belie her name, for she was of excellent speed and capacity. In the end she was put to useful but somewhat ignoble work, being converted into a tow-boat. She will be often heard of in the next few years. For the first time in the history of the Canada steamship she appears in 1835 under another commander. Frank Bury in this year takes the place of Captain Richardson; the latter remains though as managing owner. The steamer's route was the same. On February 24th an advertisement appears in the Toronto Courier offering for sale the schooner Humber of 50 tons burthen. She was lying east of Cull's wharf.
W. L. Whiting & Co., of Brockville, also advertise in the same and in other provincial papers " that they will be prepared at the opening of navigation with a sufficient number of most improved covered barges to ensure despatch in the transport of produce to Montreal, and merchandise from thence by the St. Lawrence to any part of Upper Canada. " These gentlemen also notify the public that " entries are passed at the Custom House without charge of commission."
What wind and water did for the inhabitants of Toronto some dozen years later was in 1835 proposed to be effected by artificial means. The proposition was to build a canal or " cut" across the peninsula, opposite Toronto. A meeting was called in furtherance of this project on March 3, 1835, when one of the reasons given in support of the scheme was that " It would most certainly, by letting in the pure water of the lake, purify the waters of the bay." Nature made this " cut," now many years ago, and yet,strange to say, people are to be found who venture to assert that " the waters of the bay" are only even comparatively pure, when compared with, well, let us say a very dirty canal.
The steamer Cobourg in 1835 had as her captain C. Paynter and made her trips as in the season previously. The Constitution became the Transit, and under Hugh Richardson, (formerly master of the Canada and still her manager,) ran from Hamilton to Toronto, Port Hope, Cobourg and Rochester. On June 18th, 1835, the Great Britain, Captain J. Whitney, arrived in Toronto harbor with a very large number of emigrants. This steamer ran from Prescott to Toronto and Niagara. At the latter port the American steamer United States, Captain J. Van Cleve, ran in connection with her to ports on the opposite side.
This season the Peter Robinson was again upon Lake Simcoe, Charles Thompson still being her owner, and connecting with her was the Penetanguishene for Isle St. Joseph, the Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac.
AN INGENIOUS PLAN.
Late in the year, on November 10th, a terrible storm took place on the lake. Two schooners were wrecked off the "Ducks," near Kingston, a place that has been mentioned several times already, and always, or nearly so, in connection with some shipping disaster.
Other sailing vessels that are mentioned include the Three Brothers, so called after the Mclntosh Brothers: John, who commanded her; Charles, who had charge of another lake schooner, the Superior, and Robert, the master of the Eunice, previously mentioned. There were several others also, namely, the Robert Burns, the Emily, the Prosperity, Fanny and Perseverance; besides the Guernsey, Peacock, Caroline, Fair American, Sovereign, Jessie Woods, Erin, Charlotte, Winnebago, Lord Nelson, Enterprise and Boxer. Of these the Fanny, Sovereign and Jessie Woods, were the property of Mr. James Lockhart, of Niagara. The first named was under the command of Captain Dick, a gallant sailor and enterprising man. A great deal will be heard of him as this history progresses. Captain Pecke, a veteran sailor, was the officer in command of the Boxer. He is stated at this time to have been navigating the lakes for nearly forty years.
Captain George in his barge from Quebec visited Toronto in 1835. This man was not a sailor by profession, but he was a born nautical mechanician. He had a scheme for enabling loaded vessels to overcome the rapids of the St. Lawrence and reach the upper ports on the river without disturbing their cargoes. This was to be done by pulleys or chains anchored in the bed of the river or fixed upon the banks. He contrived to get his own vessel up in this way, loaded with a general assortment of merchandise. But the expense was too great for private owners, and as the construction of canals round the rapids was soon afterwards completed, contrivances like that of Captain George, however ingenious, were useless. Dr. Scadding describes George's barge as possessing a peculiar rig, its masts forming above the deck a sort of large St. Andrew's cross, such being, in his opinion, the most convenient arrangement for working the leg of mutton or triangular sails which he used. In reference to the navigation of the rapids let us here mention that Captain Maxwell first navigated in a steamboat the deep channel of the Long Sault, and Captain Hilliard on board the Ontario first descended the rapids at Lachine.
In the Hamilton Gazette, of February 6th, 1836, this advertisement is found:
"The Schooner Aurora,
"Edward Zealand, Master,
"Intends running during the winter, when the weather will permit, between the Burlington Canal and the Garrison wharf at Toronto. Enquire for her arrival and departure at Mr. Hurley's Hotel."
NEW YEAR CHANGES.
Navigation opened early in May in 1836, and the Hamilton Gazette thus alludes to the steamboats on the lake:
"The Transit, Captain Richardson's beautiful vessel, is ready to start the moment her icy tetters are broken, and our old safe and comfortable friend, the Canada, is ready to follow in her wake. We hear she is intended to go to some port to the eastward, and if the ice remains much longer we shall, sure as egg3 are eggs, see the gallant captain, as he has done before, cut his way out."
The Cobourg had had new boilers put in at a cost of $2,500, and both it and the Traveller had been generally repaired.
The Transit made her first trip from Toronto to Niagara on May 1st.
On May 18th the Hamilton Gazette publishes this advertisement:
"Office of the Grand River Navigation Company, Seneca, Grand River, July 21,1835.
"At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Grand River Navigation Company of this date it was
"ORDERED
"That the first steamboat of not less than fifteen horse power that shall ply on the Grand River, from Dunnville to the head of the navigation when opened, shall be allowed to pass toll free through the locks of this navigation as long as she shall ply thereon."
The same privilege was also to be extended to the two first covered barges costing not leas than $1,000 that passed through. The advertisement was signed " By order of the Board, James Little, Secretary. "
Three steamboats, the Sir James Kempt, the Brockville and the Kingston, were in this season plying between Prescott and the Bay of Quinte, touching at Hallowell both up and down.
A steamer known as the Thomas McKay plied between Quebec and Bytown (Ottawa) in this year, but her journeys appear to have been somewhat spasmodic.
In the same season we find between Toronto and Hamilton the Britannia, under Captain Herchmer. She had been built in Kingston and was of 200 tons burden.
The steamer William IV. was in the season of 1836 placed under the command of Captain Hilliard, who has been previously mentioned as the captain of the Brockville on the Bay of Quinte.
The Kingston Chronicle of an early date, in May, 1836, speaks of the steamer Bytown, running from Kingston to Bytown. (Ottawa) also of the Cataraqui, belonging to the Ottawa and Rideau Canal Forwarding Company, as having just been launched. This vessel was under Captain Chambers. The same company had two other steamers on the route between Bytown and Montreal, namely, the Ottawa and the Shannon.
The following advertisement appears in the Toronto Courier of May 28th: "
"CUTTER FOR SALE."
The well-known Government built cutter, Bull Frog, about 40 tons burthen, with all her running and standing rigging complete, and in good sailing order, will be sold very low for cash or approved endorsed notes fur half the purchase money. For particulars apply to " BURKE & O'NEILL,
"Toronto."
Another advertisement, relating to the navigation of the lake, appears in the same paper on August 18th. It tells us that:
"The well-known steamboat Oswego, Captain Malcolm, and Oneida, Captain Smith, will ply daily (Sundays excepted) between Oswego and Lewiston, in connection with the steamer Transit, Captain Richardson, running from Lewiston and Niagara every morning to Toronto. Travellers who take passage on board said boats will arrive in Toronto by noon next day and at the low fare of $4 50 from Oswego."
It will be seen from this notice that a change has been made in the command of the Oswego, it being transferred from Captain Homans to Malcolm.
KINGSTON NAVAL STORES.
On June 27th, 1836, there was a great public sale of naval stores at Kingston Dock Yard. Besides stores of every imaginable kind used in ship building the sale included one frigate, in frame, 56 guns; one ship, in frame, 22 guns; one brig, in frame, 14 guns, and one schooner, in frame, of 4 guns; also the Cockburn schooner, 70 tons, paid off in 1834. with her masts and spars; also the Bull Frog, tender of 60 tons, with her sails and rigging in store; also ten gun boats in good condition, " as far as they are finished," to quote the exact words of the advertisement, besides " one old schooner and four old ships of war lying aground on the mud in the harbour," to again quote the same source. But besides this decidedly miscellaneous collection there were twelve boats new, and in use, from 14 to 32 feet, chiefly built of the best rock elm, and in addition were offered for sale six fire engines, three in good repair; the other three the advertisement contents itself by describing as " repairable," which was a strictly non-committal statement.
The papers of the day give no information how this sale resulted. There was no alteration made for the season of 1836 in the sailing arrangements of the Great Britain and United States from that which obtained in 1835, and their respective commanders were unchanged. There was, though, a small steamer, subsidiary to them, running from Prescott to the head of the Long Sault rapids, called the Dolphin. She does not appear to have been a vessel of any pretensions.
The Montreal Gazette of June 28th has this brief advertisement:
"For sale, the new steamboat Toronto, forty-five horse power, and the Lady Aylmer steamboat. Apply to A. T. Hart, Three Rivers."
These were probably small river steamers running to Montreal. The first named of them must not be connected with the boat of the same name, which has already been mentioned as having been built in Toronto.
Under the heading " Port Credit Forwarding Business," on July 6th, Captain John Mosier acquaints his friends and the public that he has established himself at the new and thriving village at the mouth of the river Credit for the purpose of carrying on the forwarding business in all its branches. He respectfully solicits patronage, and in doing so adds the assurance that all business entrusted to his charge will be promptly and carefully attended to.
In the Toronto Courier of the same date, and side by side with Captain Mosier's advertisement, is another announcing that the schooner Adelaide, of 120 tons, Captain J. Atkinson, will sail from Toronto for Penetanguishene, Kettle Creek, Amherstburg, Sandwich or Goderich, on or about July 15th or 20th. Intending passengers were to apply to James Browne, Esq., Toronto, or to the master on board. There is something delightfully vague in the announcement " on or about the 15th"; a day or so either way appears to have been of no moment.
The Peter Robinson was on Lake Simcoe this as in the preceding season. There is a reference made to her in the announcement of a pleasure trip across Lake Huron, contained in the Toronto Courier of July 23rd, which states that the steamer Penetanguishene will leave the port of the same name on August 9th for the Grand Manitoulin and St. Joseph Islands, the Sault Ste. Marie and Michillimackinac, stopping a day or two at each place, returning by the same route to the port of departure. That was purely pleasure. The business-like part of the excursion is shewn in the concluding paragraph of the advertisement with its peremptory statement that intending excursionists will be required to leave Holland Landing in the steamboat Peter Robinson, on Monday morning, August 8th, at 8 o'clock.
In the Toronto Courier of August 20th, is a notification of the intended sale by auction on the 30th of the same month by James M. Strange, at his rooms on Yonge street, of the schooner Plough Boy and the sloop Martin Van Buren, they having been condemned for offences against the revenue laws. These two vessels were probably both American smugglers. Among their cargoes was not only " a large quantity of Young Hyson tea," but also " one barrel of whiskey and seven boxes of segars."
On September 3rd Sir Francis Bond Head, the newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, returned to Toronto from a short tour in the eastern division of the province in the steamer Great Britain, taking up his quarters at Government House.
In the Toronto Courier of September 17th, copied from the Detroit Advertiser of the previous August 27th, is a paragraph to the effect that the editor of that paper had heard from Captain Robinson, of the steamer General Gratiot, that a schooner of thirty tons burden, without color or name, and containing a crew of twenty-three persons armed with pistols, dirks and muskets, was taken in the St. Clair River under strong suspicion of having piratical intentions. Referring further to these men the Detroit paper says " they were all ornamented with huge moustaches, and were commanded by one whom they called General Dixon."
The steamers on the late throughout the season of 1836 comprised among them the Traveller, Transit, Britannia, Hamilton, Great Britain, Canada, Commodore Barrie, Cobourg and Oakville; on the Bay of Quinte the Sir James Kempt, Brockville and Kingston; on Lake Simcoe the Peter Robinson, and making occasional trips on Lake Huron was the Penetanguishene. In addition to these there were the American steamers we have more than once mentioned, namely, the Oswego, Oneida and United States. In the following year, 1837, several other steamers were added to the now rapidly increasing fleet. They were the Sir Robert Peel, of 350 tons; the Queen Victoria, of 200 tons, and the Experiment, of 150 tons. More will be said of these presently.
A FAVORITE DISAPPEARS
The Provincial Parliament assembled early in 1837, and on March 22nd the Hamilton Gazette gives a long list of Bills which had passed during the session. Among those relating to the provincial marine there were as follows:--"The Acts incorporating the Grafton Harbor Company, providing for the survey of the Ottawa River; granting a loan to the Louth Harbor Company,Niagara, and also to a similar company at Gananoque; Acts compelling vessels to carry a light at night, and also for the improvement of the navigation of the River Trent; also incorporating the company of the Port Darlington harbor; enabling the Canada Company to erect a harbor at Goderich; incorporating the Beverly Navigation Company, the Fort Erie Canal Company; and several Acts authorizing loans to various towns to enable them to perfect their harbors or complete the erection of lighthouses.
The schooner Britannia, forming a portion of the estate of William Crooks, of Niagara, deceased, was offered for sale on March 23rd by his executors. Beyond the fact that she was at the time of sale lying in Oakville, there is no further information given concerning her.
The Traveller in 1837, Captain James Sutherland, made two trips a week between Rochester, Cobourg, Port Hope and Toronto, and between Hamilton, Toronto, Port Hope and Cobourg. The Britannia, no longer under Captain Herchmer, but under William Colclough, ran daily between Toronto and Hamilton, calling each way at Port Credit, Oakville and Burlington Bay.
The Hamilton Gazette on April 19th refers to the lake steamers and to their routes and commanders for the season then commencing:--The William IV., Captain Hilliard, was to sail from Prescott to Toronto. The Great Britain, Captain Whitney, continued the same route as in 1836. The Commodore Barrie, Captain Herchmer, did likewise. The Cobourg was commanded this season by Captain Harper, R.N., late of the St. George. The latter was under charge of her former purser. These vessels ran from Prescott to Toronto in conjunction with one another during the season.
The Sir James Kempt and Brockville. Captain Calder, continued to run from Prescott to the Bay of Quinte. The Transit, Captain Richardson, was between Toronto and Niagara. Captain Richardson's former steamer, the Canada, had now been finally withdrawn from service on the lake
During her entire career, with the exception of one season, when she ran from Oswego to Kingston, she had been on the Niagara route. Her end came through running ashore near Oswego, when she was wrecked and finally broken up.
LIGHT HOUSE COMMISSIONERS.
On April 6th the Upper Canada Gazette announced that his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor had been pleased to appoint William Chisholm, George Chalmers, and Merrick Thomas, Esquires, to be commissioners for the erection of a lighthouse at Oakville; Colin C. Ferrie and Edmond Ritchie, Esquires, to complete the Burlington Canal; also to be commissioners, under an Act passed in the previous session, the Honorable Z. Burnham, G. S. Boulton, Alex. McDonell, A. S. Fraser, and Robert Jameson, Esquires, to improve the navigation of the inland waters of the district of Newcastle; also William Sowden, John T. Williams, and William Owston, Esquires, for the erection of a lighthouse on Gull Island; finally, Major Bonnycastle, William Henry Draper, and Hugh Richardson, Esquires, commissioners for the improvement of the harbor of Toronto.
The Hamilton Gazette of May 10th publishes the following paragraph extracted from the Cobourg Star:--" Rice Lake--The steamboat Sir F. B. Head (formerly the Northumberland) will commence running in a few days. She is intended to perform the trip to Sully and back every day (Sundays excepted). The Pemadash has also been fitted at great expense by Mr. W. Boswell, and will be ready in a few days for the same route."
Capt. James Sutherland, of the Traveller, has already been mentioned several times, and there are not many men now living in Toronto who can look back twenty-five or thirty years or more without calling to mind this popular, good, honest and thorough seaman, (although bluff in his demeanor). He came to this country shortly before the rebellion of 1837.
A GALLANT SAILOR.
He navigated the first steamship (the Unicorn) across the ocean to Quebec. He was also in the Hudson Bay service, and was placed in command, shortly after his arrival in Canada, of the steamer Traveller, which, in 1835. and gome years following, ran between Hamilton and Prescott, and during the rebellion carried troops to different points on lake and river. In 1840 he was placed in command of the new steamer, Niagara, (name afterwards changed to Sovereign). She was a fast vessel for those days, and was placed in the line of Royal Mail steamers. In 1842 Capt. John Elmsley and Donald Bethune, Esq., purchased the Sovereign from Hon. Jno. Hamilton, and Capt. Elmsley commanded her. Capt. Sutherland was then placed in command of the St. George, a good, staunch sea boat, but inferior and slower than the Sovereign. This change was not agreeable to him, particularly as he frequently suffered the mortification of seeing his former ship pass him on the route up the lake. The St. George was on the direct route between Kingston and Niagara, and it occasionally happened that the Sovereign also left on her trip from Kingston to Toronto nearly an hour after the St. George had started on her upward trip, and it was on one of these occasions that Capt. Sutherland came out with one of his queer sayings. When the St. George was off the "Ducks," about twenty-five miles west of Kingston, the Sovereign was observed some distance a-stern, but overtaking the St. George rapidly and would soon pass her. Sutherland paced the deck, now and then casting his eyes on the approaching Sovereign. His mate said to him, " Captain, here comes the Sovereign after us." Sutherland looked astern again, and hitching up his trousers, sailor fashion, said with a sort of grin, "So she is after us, is she ? Well, we will soon pay her off in her own coin, and be after her shortly." The writer calls to mind just now, another of Capt. Sutherland's characteristic remarks, and many more might be added if fully remembered. One of his cabin waiters was quite a clever musician, and performed very well on the cornopian, be having been a bandsman in one of the regiments stationed at Toronto. On certain occasions, when leaving or arriving in port, this musician would treat the passengers to some popular air. One day, as the vessel, the Niagara, was approaching port he went forward to the wheelhouse, where Capt. Sutherland stood, bringing the steamer to the wharf, and commenced playing some lively air. The Captain appeared annoyed, and said to him, in not very complimentary language: " I say there, stop blowing that horn of yours, you land lubber, and bear a hand in hauling in the slack of that bow line." The poor performer was frightened out of his wits, and made direct for the cabin to hide his mortification at the abrupt termination of his favourite melody.