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Building of the Gore 151 August 9: Today we have a meeting of the Directors, and I anticipate they will effect certain arrangements calculated to enable them to commence building another Steam boat, without further delay. If they should not, it will not be in my power to find work for those hands I have got employed, and moreover, cannot fail to destroy the department under my charge. August 16th: Very wet. Still confined to my quarters where, so unsettled does my brain continue, that I find myself incapable of grappling with any study, or pursuing with the slightest pleasure the further extension of my professional knowledge. Indeed, at the present time, there appears a stagnation in the affairs of the Ship Building department at the Dock Establishment. However, a few days will determine, it is said, what are to be the future plans of this Coy. Another Steamer will in all probability be speedily contracted for. Such an arrangement will of course keep me actively employed. August 18th: Weather continues cool & agreeable without any news worth noting. Bussiness [sic] is still very dull. In fact I begin to fear we shall not have a vessel to build this year. If so, my department will be annihilated [sic]. However we look forward to brighter prospects. August 27: Have this moment returned from the "Dock" where I have been engaged in hauling up on the Rail Way the largest schooner on Lake Ontario.4 The task, it gives me pleasure to add, we executed admirably, a circumstance highly gratifying to my feelings, as many apprehensions were entertained relative to the successful issue of the undertaking. A very wet, disagreeable day. My workmen from the length of time they have been kept without pay, and the irregularity with which it has been doled out, has at length tended to arouse a spirit of insubordination, which will ultimately induce them to desert the place. The consequence of course will be destruction to my department. However, I shall make one effort to obtain a settlement for the men, and point out to the "President" the results, should they not speedily settle with the workmen and obtain some employment for their work. It is a pity to see the establishment going to ruin, especially when one is aware that the whole proceeds from Mismanagement, in fact the Pres & Secretary are both old soldiers, and not men of business. The affair is above their capacity, and will terminate in ruin unless taken out of their hands, which I trust it will soon be. August 29: …Mr. Lockhart talks of building another steamer of 40 horse power, so that my time will again be employed. Indeed this speculation, I consider 4 Then known as the Birmingham, the hull had been originally launched as the steamboat Alciope, and later renamed the United Kingdom. When wrecked some years after this she was known as Frontenac.