Cambria (Bark), 24 Apr 1862

Vessels For The Coal Oil Trade
      The St. Catharines Journal says: "We understand that on Friday or Saturday last, Mr. Muir, the eminent ship-builder and owner, of Port Dalhousie, was waited upon by a deputation from the oil regions of Enniskillen, who made him an offer to purchase the NIAGARA, ALEXANDER, and the new vessel he has on the stocks, but we believe, he has not yet decided to sell. The vessels, if sold, will be taken and devoted exclusively to the conveyance of coal oil from Canada to Europe. The NIAGARA and ALEXANDER are both staunch sea-vessels, the latter having been rigged in Ireland, and the former has made a voyage to Scotland, and is now in the St. Lawrence awaiting the opening of navigation to cross the Atlantic again."
      Hamilton Evening Times
      April 22, 1862



      Launch Of A Hamilton Vessel
The barque CAMBRIA, built in St. Catharines by Mr. Shickluna, for Messrs. Malcolmson of this city, was launched at that place on Thursday last. The launch took place in the afternoon, and was witnessed by a large number of persons. Between three and four o'clock, all the necessary arrangements having been completed, the well-built vessel gracefully glided from the stocks amid the cheers of the spectators into the element which is to be her future home. After she had been got afloat, those who had been connected with her construction adjourned to a neighbouring building, where they celebrated the event, and drank success to the new ship and her owners. - in the evening a number of Hamilton gentlemen met at the Welland House, and were there entertained by the host, Chas Norton, Esq., in the style for which that house and its proprietor is famous.
      The CAMBRIA, the launch of which was thus celebrated, is one of the neatest vessels on the lakes, and her dimensions, capactiy, &c. are as follows:-
Length over all 142 ft. 6 in.' breadth of beam 26 ft. 2 in; depth of hold 13 ft.; tonnage 354; capacity 23,000 bushels wheat; frames 13 in. sided; 13 ½ in. moulded; top height 22 in. square; keel 22 inc. by 8 in.; ceiling keelson to bilge 3 ½ in. thick, and from the bilge to deck-beams 8 in. thick, while, in addition to the usual fastening to the frame, each plank is bolted edgeways to the other, thus forming a complete solid arch; the garboard streak is 6 in. thick, and let up in the frames 2 in. and also bolted edgeways to the keel; from garboard streak to the bilges the plank is 3 ½ in. thick; the 4-streak on bilges 5 in. thick; from bilges to wales 3 ½ in thick; and the 3-streak of wales 5 in. thick, also bolted edgeways' tie fastening outside commencing from garboard streak butt, bolted through the outside plank and ceiling and fastened with a forelock, the bilge streaks - 1 through bolt rivetted in each second frame, besides the usual spikes; the ceiling, from top to air-streak is fastened with screw bolts edgeways running the full depth, screwed up in air-streak. The CAMBRIA is barque rigged and furnished with all the latest improvements in the way of windlass, capstan and steering gear. The St. Catharines Journal says of the "CAMBRIA": -
      "The Cambria is owned by the Messrs,. Malcolmson, of Hamilton, a very enterprising firm of practical seamen, who will, no doubt, and as we hope, make money by their venture. She is pronounced by competent judges, to be a perfect model of naval architecture, bidding fair not only to be a fast sailor, but a staunch safe ship."
      Hamilton Evening Times
      April 24, 1862

     
OCEAN INSURANCE ON LAKE VESSELS AT SEA:-- The prejudice among the insurance companies against lake vessels on the ocean, especially centre- board schooners, has in a great measure been wiped out, and it is not anticipated that the owners of the various craft now about to make ocean voyages will experience any great trouble in obtaining insurance. Indeed, the insurance on many of them is already placed. Our lake vessels are built as well as, and better than those regularly employed on the Atlantic, and the underwriters are coming to see that the centre-board (a necessity on craft of medium dimensions) is no objection at all. The truth is that the centerboard is a great benefit. but for many years this fact could not be impressed on the minds of sailors and underwriters used and accustomed to the standing keel. It is a positive fact that (centerboard) craft which class B1 on the lakes are given the class of A 2 in Lloyds.
, Both the PAMLICO and BENSON secured better classing on the ocean than they could obtain here on the lakes. We understand that the THISTLE, now fitting in Chicago, the MECHANIC and EMERALD, the THOMAS S. STREET, EDWARD BLAKE, CAMBRIA, MAGGIE McRAE and A. G. MOREY are already insured for their ocean voyages, and that the other craft going out from the lakes will obtain insurance without trouble. Those which cannot get insurance (if there be any) will go without it, indicating the confidence of the owners in their vessels. The one great necessity is to send good masters in charge, and we learn that this is to be done.- - - lnter-Ocean.
      Cleveland Herald
      June 13, 1876


.