Montreal Gazette (Montreal, QC), July 19, 1832

p.2 The Pumper steamboat, owned by Mr. Drummond, and freighted with 200 barrels of flour, 60 of pork, and a number of passengers, left here on Thursday morning for Bytown. This is the first commercial cargo which has navigated the canal since its completion. We understand she will be a regular trader upon this useful line of communication, until succeeded by a more efficient and commodious craft.

A part of Mr R. Sherwood's raft, consisting of from two to three thousand feet of boards and planks, ten days from the Rideau Lake, arrived here on the 12th. The crew returned in Mr. Drummond's steamer, to bring up the remainder; being the first raft that has passed the locks. Mr. Sherwood was employed originally in exploring the route of the canal, and enjoys the happy reflection of being the first to avail himself of the excellence, utility, and importance of this safe and convenient channel of public communication. [Kingston Chronicle]