Kingston News (Kingston, ON), April 20, 1846

p.1 Welland Canal - The St . Catharines Journal of the 2nd instant, states that the canal is now ready for the letting in of the water, which will be done as soon as Lake Erie is clear enough of ice to admit of its navigation. The feeder is full, and the canal can be filled in a very short time.

The business of ship-building appears to be extensively carried on at St. Catharines. The same Journal informs us that Shickeluna's shipyard presents a pleasing aspect of active and successful industry. Eighty men are employed. There are five vessels on the stocks; one brig - painted, masts up, and otherwise nearly finished - 110 feet keel, 26 feet beam, and 11 feet hold; four barges, of 94 feet keel, of 19 1/4 feet beam, and 8 feet hold. Two of these and the brig were to be launched on Monday the 13th, between one and two o'clock. As a tribute of respect, Mr. Brown, of Hamilton, and Mr. A.K. Boomer, have presented him with a bell weighing 125 lbs., for the use of the shipyard. [Colonist]

p.2 Launch - On the afternoon of Thursday last, precisely at the hour of three o'clock, Capt. Patterson's new propeller was launched from the shipyard of Messrs. Fowler & Hood. The launch was a beautiful one, but so punctual as to disappoint a number of our good town's-people, who counted upon the allowance of a little "grace". The propeller was duly named the Ireland, and the green flag of Erin was displayed from the peak.

As the Ireland is fully three times larger than any propeller previously constructed on this side of the lakes, considerable interest has been felt in her progress. We copy the following dimensions, etc., from the Chronicle. In point of construction we are confident the Ireland will compare favorably with any vessel turned out on either side of the lake. She will be ready for service in about three weeks; -

"We were tempted by the accounts we heard of the size, and beautiful model of this vessel, to take a peek at her, as she lies on the stocks, and we are happy to say, that we found, as far as we are a judge, that those discriptions were by no means overcharged. Her length is 140 feet, breadth 24, her depth of hold 9 3/4, her height between decks, 7, and she is capable of carrying 2,000 barrels of Flour in her holds. Her main deck is covered in to within 15 feet of her bows, and consequently, she is calculated to afford superior accommodation to Emigrants, or deck passengers, the deck being completely sheltered from the weather; under this shelter 150 to 200 passengers may be accommodated.

Her cabin is on the main deck, is 40 feet long, and occupies the whole breadth, comprising the Saloon and 15 State rooms; 40 cabin passengers may be accommodated. She is rigged with one mast forward, and can carry 600 yards of canvas. She will be worked entirely on the upper deck, her cylinder is 32 inches in diameter, stroke 21 inches. Screw 7 1/2 feet in diameter, 300 copper tubes in her boiler, each 8 feet long making an aggregate of 2400 feet of copper tubes, she possesses 1,500 feet of superties ? of fire surface, can carry 75 lbs. of steam, is expected to be able to sail 10 miles an hour; and is intended to run between Kingston and Montreal, her build being adapted for the Rapids as well as Lake navigation.

This fine vessel has been built for Captain Patterson, and no pains or expense have been spared, either in the quality of the materials used, or in the style and manner of theworkmanship to render her equal, if not superior, to any boat that navigates our waters. Messrs. Fowler & Hood deserve much credit for this specimen of their style of ship-building. They have however, adopted the only sure method, assuring to themselves, the character of fine ship-builders, by a careful selection of materials, mechanics. They have, we understand, succeeded fully in this plan; their people, in addition to their abilities as good workmen, have the qualification of being sober and orderly, a proof of which, is the fact, that a great proportion of them possess houses and lots of their own.