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running his new engine up to speed, the voyage gave ample time for dining and wining, and for many toasts and responses thereto. At 1 a. m. next morning, the LAKE MICHIGAN tied up at MacKay's Wharf. She would tie-up there many more times. The LAKE MICHIGAN measured 136.0 x 23.9 x 6.6; Gross 588; Net 365. The LAKE ONTARIO measured 136.8 x 23.8 x 7.6; Gross 675; Net 411. Each vessel was fitted with a low-pressure engine 34x34 built by Thos. Wilson & Co., of Dundas, who had taken over the Dundas Foundry formerly operated by John Gartshore. The third vessel ordered by the Lake & River Steamship Co. was launched by Melancthon Simpson, at St. Catharines, on the 22 May 1873. The sponsor of this vessel was Miss Blain, daughter of Richard Blain, of Galt, a successful miller, who subsequently became president of the Lake & River Steamship Co., and at a later date, mayor of Galt. Among those present at this event were Adam Hope, Aeneas MacKay and Capt. P. Larkin, of St. Catharines, who had been named marine superintendent of the company. The launching took place shortly after 2 p. m. and the official party downed a champagne lunch on board the new steamer before boarding the 5 p.m. train for Hamilton. The dimensions of the LAKE ERIE were 136.0 x 23.4 x 7.4; Gross 427; net 347. Her engine was the same as those fitted in her sister-ships, by T. Wilson & Co. The services of the Lake & River Steamship Company called for the placing of 7 additional vessels on the lines, as well as the three built for the company. These extra vessels included the OSPREY, which was restricted to the Montreal-Lake Ontario line, and the CALABRIA, which was rebuilt from the old BRANTFORD, at Pt. Dalhousie in 1873. She belonged to D. Butters & Co., who also contributed the CALIFORNIA, a new vessel, launched on the 11 June at A. M. Robertson's shipyard in Hamilton. Capt. John B. Fairgrieve, of Hamilton, placed his two propellers in the service, the CANADA, built in 1872, and the COLUMBIA, which was launched on the 22 April 1873. Both these vessels were built by A. M. Robertson, at Hamilton. The last two vessels in the fleet were the DROMEDARY and the CITY OF CHATHAM. Unfortunately, the last-named propeller was burned on the 3 June 1873, while berthed at the Great Western Ry. Wharf in Hamilton. The DROMEDARY was built in 1868 at Port Dalhousie by Andrews, for David Steele, of Hamilton, with financial assistance from D. Butters & Co., of Montreal. The engine for this vessel was supplied by F. G. Beckett & Co., of Hamilton. The newer tonnage in the fleet was favoured for the Montreal-Chicago service. Not to be outdone by his fellow-members of the ship-owning fraternity in Hamilton, Aeneas gave A. M. Robertson an order to build a propeller. During the winter of 1873/74, work progressed on this vessel and by the 5 May 1874, she was ready for launching. The happy event took place at 3:30 p. m. that day, before an immense crowd, and the vessel was named CELTIC, by Miss Elizabeth Maltby MacKay. At Hamilton, new hulls were launched stern-first, due to the narrow frontage of Robertson's yard, and besides, the harbour offered a very great expanse of water. At shipyards located on narrow waterways, side-launches were essential. When the CELTIC left the ways, her momentum carried her quite a distance out into the harbour, and when she came to rest, the steamer CORINTHIAN took her in tow. She was then moved back to the yard for the final fitting-out. -14-