Liverpool (Brig), 8 Aug 1845

LAUNCHES. - The new brigantine QUEBEC, which was launched on Thursday last from the foot of Long Island, arrived here yesterday morning to complete her fitments. The QUEBEC is a beautiful model, strongly built, and works admirably Her dimensions are as follows - 114 feet keel; 26 feet breadth of beam; 10 feet depth of hold, and about 280 tons burthen. She is intended for the Lake Erie timber trade, and is commanded by her principal proprietor, Capt. Wm. Donaldson who has our best wishes for his success.
The LIVERPOOL - This is the name of another new brigantine built by Messrs. Calvin, Cook & Co. on Garden Island. It was proposed to launch her also on Thursday, but after running nearly to the waters edge she suddenly stopped at a small rise in the ways, and was obliged to be pushed into her destined element rather unceremoniously, yesterday morning. The LIVERPOOL is a fine vessel - as strong as wood and iron can make her, - and is also intended for the Lake Erie timber trade, as soon as the enlarged Welland Canal is completed. Her dimensions are 127 feet 9 inches keel; breadth of beam 26 feet; depth of hold 10 feet, and about 350 tons burthen. We trust the LIVERPOOL will earn for her proprietors that rick reward which their enterprise so justly merits.
The LIVERPOOL and QUEBEC are the pioneers of a new class of vessels, which is destined ere long to supercede those now plying on our great inland seas. We consider either of these two vessels perfectly seaworthy for a voyage across the Atlantic; and no doubt within a very few years we shall hear of vessels taking in timber on Lake Huron and landing it in safety at the port of Liverpool - and returning with passengers or freight - with the former it may be to populate the wilds of the far west where the timber grew. Some simple people are disposed to look upon such ideas like these as altogether visionary, but we have witnessed more wonderful things in Canada within the last 20 years than this - even if it were accomplished. A ship has been sent from Cinncinnatti to Liverpool by the Southern route, and we can discover no difficulty in a vessel of 350 tons reaching the same destination by the Northern route from Chicago.
      Kingston, Chronicle & Gazette
      Saturday, August 9, 1845

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During the last week, two new and splendid vessels have been added to our Commercial Marine. On Thursday Capt. Donaldson launched from the stocks at Port Metcalf, a beautiful Brigantine of about 250 tons burthen, and the following norning Messers. Calvin & Cook Co., launched a similarly rigged vessel of about 350 tons. Both of these brigantines are beautiful in nodel, of the strongest construction, and reflect the highest credit upon the architects under whose supervision they were built. It will be observed that these vessel are of the enlarged class, intended for trade on this and the more western lakes. The former can now pass through the Welland Canal, but we understand that some time must elapse ere the new works will be so far completed as to admit of the transit of the latter to Lake Erie. Captain Donaldson's Vessel is named the QUEBEC.
Messrs. Calvin, Cook & Co's. the LIVERPOOL. We but give utterance to the general wish which exists here, when we express the hope that the enterprize which has placed these fine vessels upon our waters will be amply rewarded.
      The News, Kingston
      Thursday, August 14, 1845