British Whig (Kingston, ON), Feb. 13, 1884

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EARLY BOAT BUILDING.

The Belleville Intelligencer supplements the Whig's reference to early history of vessels. It tells of the first vessel built on the shores of the Bay of Quinte west of Bath. In 1801, Capt. Murney, father of the late Hon. E. Murney, of Belleville, who came to Kingston in 1797, acquired some land in the vicinity of the Lake On The Mountain, near Picton, and conceived the idea of building a vessel at the latter place. He found an abundance of red cedar on his land, and knowing the durability and toughness of this species of wood, determined to test it in the construction of his vessel. The result was a handsome craft, capable of carrying "700 barrels of flour beneath her hatches," which traded on Lake Ontario for many years and "made a small fortune for her owner." This pioneer vessel on the upper waters of the bay was named the Prince Edward. She was in good condition during the war of 1812-14, and was for a time employed by the Government as an armed vessel. We have no means of ascertaining how long the Prince Edward was in commission, or when, how or where she ended her career, but it is probable her services extended over a period of more than twenty years. It is claimed that she was the first vessel to land at the Wellington pier, which was constructed about 1830.

The Defendants Won - In the Division Court action of Stacey vs St. Lawrence Steamboat Company, a verdict was given for the defendants. Mr. Stacey, a commercial traveller from New York, claimed that he gave a valise containing woolen samples to Captain Hinckley, of the Maud, to store in Folger & Hanley's until called for. Captain Hinckley testified that the valise was landed at Gunn's wharf, by order, and that he was not given charge of it for storage. The jury gave a verdict for defendants.

p.3 The Marine Examining Board - T.J. Craig, captain of the steamer Hero, has passed his marine examination in Toronto. He came out second on the list. The Board of Examiners was composed of Capt. T.R. Taylor, Kingston, and Capt. Harbottle, of St. Catharines. The examination is quite severe, so that the mariners here had better look out for "squalls." It is said that the examiners intend to have a full-rigged ship thrown in pieces on the float, the candidate for certificates being obliged to put it together. The date is the 29th.