Silver Spray (Steamboat), 30 Apr 1866

THE GODERICH and SAUGEEN ROUTE.
      On Monday morning the SILVER SPRAY, Capt. D. Rowan, arrived in port, to take up her route in connection with the G.T.R. between Goderich and Southampton, as soon as the Northern ports are clear of ice. When it was announced that the SPRAY had arrived, quite a number of citizens proceeded to the wharf to inspect her, and the general decition was that she was just the boat for the coasting trade - not too large, and yet remarkably staunch, and sure, with ample accommodation for the passenger and goods traffic of the route for which she is intended. Having inspected the boat carefully, we have every reason to be pleased with her. Her length is 155 feet over all, with 33 feet, tonnage 173. She is propelled by side wheels, the engine, of course being on the low pressure principle. The gentleman's cabin, below decks, is commodious, and the ladies' cabin above it, is fitted up in a very elegant manner.
The promenade deck is one of the finest we have ever seen on a boat of the size, there being an unusually large clear space, seats being arranged the full length of the boat on each side. For excursions, &c., we are assured there will be ample room for 500 passengers. Every appointment required on a first-class boat has been attended to, and when we mention that Capt. D. Rowan is master, we think the public can need no further assurance that it is the intention of the proprietors, J.V. Detlor & Co., to meet the wants of their patrons in every respect. As purser, Mr. B. Wilson will undoubtedly endeavor to please all who may patronize the vessel, either with freight or as passengers. The 'SPRAY' is almost new, having been built only 15 months ago. Last year she sailed on Lake Ontario; between Toronto and Port Dalhousie, and during one of the severest storms of the season she carried 1300 bbls of flour with perfect ease. In addition to these facts, we may mention that Capt. Rowan, (than whom a better sailor is not to be found on the lakes,) says 'she is the best sea boat he ever saw.' She is much larger than the BRUCE, the latter being only 105 feet long and 23 feet wide, with a corresponding tonnage. The route for the 'SPRAY' has been so arranged that a passenger can leave Southampton and arrive in Toronto by 9 p.m., the same day, and returning can leave Toronto, and be at home the same day. The Railway Time table to be found elsewhere, has been arranged with special reference to a safe connection at Goderich from Northern ports, and we know that it is the intention of Mr. Brydges to do all in his power to promote a route, which must prove beneficial to the merchants and people generally of the County of Bruce. Now that a really first rate boat has been secured for the coast route, we hope to see her patronized even beyond the most sanguine expectations of the enterprising proprietors, who have risked a large investment in her.
      Goderich Signal, Semi-weekly
      Tuesday, May 1, 1866