Montreal Gazette (Montreal, QC), March 26, 1833

p.1 New Steamboats - We were agreeably surprised, on walking a few days since to the Mississauga Point, to witness the advanced state of forwardness to which the several steamboats there building have attained.

The Britannia, whose launch we announced some time since, is fast fitting up in a style of elegance and comfort, that, combined with her other advantages, promises to make her a valuable auxiliary to the travelling and commercial public. This fine vessel has 109 feet deck, 8 feet hold, and 20 1/2 feet beam; of 180 tons burthen; is to be propelled by an engine of Messrs. Bennet and Henderson, of fifty five horse power, and draws only 3 1/2 feet water. She has a promenade deck of her whole length; the engine, (low pressure) below. Besides twenty-six berths in the gentlemen's cabin, and sixteen in the ladies', there is also a steerage cabin. The Britannia is owned by our enterprising townsman, Donald Bethune, Esq. will be commanded by Lieut. Smart R.N. and is intended to ply on the Rideau Canal and the Bay of Quinte. She is expected to be finished in the latter end of April.

Another boat, now on the stocks, of beautiful model, and about the size of the William IV, we found building of cedar, in great strength and perfection of workmanship, under the able superintendence of Mr. Ewen, the master builder of the Britannia. This vessel, which promises to become one of the fastest on the Lake, has 140 feet deck, ten feet four inches hold, 24 1/2 feet beam, and is of 340 tons burthen. She will have a low pressure engine, made by Bennet and Henderson, of ninety horse power, and is meant to draw 5 1/2 feet water. It is intended to fit her up in superior style; to have thirty berths in the gentlemen's cabin, and eighteen in the ladies' - a promenade deck, extending over the whole vessel; to have her schooner rigged and commanded by Lieut. Harper, R.N. whose experience of fifteen years, as captain of a steam-packet running between Liverpool and Dublin will be a guarantee of his ability. This latter vessel is building with a particular view to the accommodation of the inhabitants of Kingston, both merchants and passengers, and it is to be hoped they will encourage and sustain the highly creditable public spirit of the proprietors. She will run from Prescott to York making Kingston her home, and, it is supposed, will be ready in the month of June. D. Bethune and David John Smith, Esquires, we believe, are the principal owners.

Further down Mississauga Point, and near the foundry, we found on the stocks, and fast completing, another steamboat to be called the Canadian, intended to ply on the Bay of Quinte and the River. This vessel, whose trim model appears to justify the expectations of her proprietors that she will become one of our swiftest boats, is 108 feet long, sixteen feet beam, thirty-two feet deck, and will have a low-pressure engine of 45 horse power now manufacturing by Messrs. Ward & Co. The gentlemen's cabin will be below, of forty feet length and contain twenty-eight berths. The ladies' cabin, on deck, will have twelve berths. The Canadian is the property of another of our townsmen, John G. Parker, Esq. and we trust she will have that abundant success which his indefatigable enterprise deserves.

Our venerable acquaintance, the Toronto, who we supposed had retired from active service, is again to be brought into action, fresh and vigorous as ever. Mr. Parker had this boat hauled out last fall, and she is now undergoing a thorough repair, and will be ready to resume her usual trips soon after the opening of the navigation. Our old friend, the Sir James Kempt, will be also ready, in untiring punctuality, to perform her prompt and accustomed duties, in the highly useful and available state of discipline, to which she has been brought under her veteran commander. [Kingston Chronicle]