Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Chronicle & Gazette (Kingston, ON), June 29, 1833

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1833 CHRONICLE & GAZETTE

AND WEEKLY COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.

(available on microfilm at Kingston Frontenac Public Library and Queen's University - Stauffer Library, unless otherwise indicated)

Vol. XV No. 1

p.1

TRAVELLING TO AND IN UPPER CANADA.

The new arrangement of the Upper Canada Line of Stages and Steam Boats has now been some weeks in operation and the additional convenience which is thereby afforded to the man of business and the traveller, is the theme of general remark. The stages now leave Montreal every day, at half-past ten in the forenoon, instead of the former inconveniently early hour of four in the morning. They arrive at Prescott the following day, (with the exception of Saturday's stage, which remains over at Cornwall on Sunday,) in time for the passengers to join the Lake Boats. In the arrangement in descending, a great saving of the time usually occupied in travelling is effected - allowing, as it does, of travellers leaving Prescott in the morning, and yet reaching Montreal between eight or nine the same evening. Indeed, the regularity and punctuality in the arrival of the stages in this city, are deserving of high commendation. Much of the increased expedition is, doubtless, due to the placing on the line of the Iroquois, the steamer which runs between Dickinson's Landing, above Cornwall, to Prescott, (superseding the use of stages on thirty-eight miles of, what used to be, the very worst of roads,) but not less is it owing certainly, to the high state of efficiency in which the Messrs. Bigelow have placed their other arrangements. Of the Iroquois we have heard many travellers lately speak in terms of high praise: - we have before described this extraordinary boat, but the following notice from the Prescott Gazette is perhaps more complete than any former account.

"This convenient and ingeniously constructed boat will be commanded for the season by Captain Barber, an experienced and skilful mariner. She has commenced her regular trips from Prescott to the head of the Long Sault, and is found to exceed the most sanguine expectations of her enterprising proprietors. She stems the rapids with the greatest ease. Her cabins are elegantly and amply furnished with every necessary convenience - her engine, machinery, and apparatus are differently constructed and arranged to any we have hitherto seen - her wheel propellers are placed in the stern and seem to answer the navigation of the rapids much better than was expected. On account of her extraordinary and daring route, against the most powerful rapids in North America, as well as on account of her safe conveyance, convenient and pleasant apartments, we must pronounce this effort of her proprietors to accommodate the public, one of the most useful and ingenious enterprises ever attempted in North America."

To those whom business or variety may induce to travel on the American side, the line of stages from this city to Ogdensburgh offers every facility as to comfort and convenience. By the advertisement in our columns, it will be noticed, that these stages leave Montreal every day, at half-past ten A.M. (passing through Lachine, Cascades, Coteau du Lac, Hogansburgh, Massena and Waddington, and arriving at Ogdensburgh at six the next evening.) and leave Ogdensburgh at six every morning. The distance travelled by the American line, and by the Upper Canada line, is exactly the same: but in the former, the land travelling much exceeds that of the latter, being in the one case seventy-seven miles and in the other only thirty-seven.

Another line of stages for Ogdensburgh leaves every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from the General Brock tavern, in this city. The difference between it and the other line is, that this passes through the village of Chateauguay and the flourishing settlements on the river of that name, and stops the first evening at Fort Covington, where the passengers sleep, arriving at Ogdensburgh on the second day after leaving Montreal. A coach also leaves from the same place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at ten A.M. for Lachine and Chateauguay, returning the same afternoon at five.

On their arrival at Prescott and Ogdensburgh passengers can proceed up the Lake by the British steamers Great Britain, William IV, United Kingdom and Queenston from the former port and by the American steamer United States from the latter. They can also proceed to the Bay of Quinte by the Sir James Kempt, Britannia and Perseverance, and on the American side as far as French Creek, by the Caroline. Of the accommodations of these boats, as well as their arrangements for the season, as far as we have became acquainted with them, it is now our intention to speak.

The Great Britain and United States stand confessedly at the head of the numerous list of steamers which ply upon our inland Lakes, and do honor to the great and powerful nations whose names they respectively bear. The accommodations for passengers which both boats possess are most ample, and the comfort of their state-rooms is unequalled. The Great Britain is propelled by two engines of ninety horse power each made by Bennett and Henderson of this city; the United States' power is of one hundred and twenty horse. Capt. Whitney, one of the most experienced and popular masters on the Lake, continues to command the Great Britain, while the United States has been entrusted to the able management of Capt. R.J.Van Dewater, who last year commanded a boat on the Hudson River. The arrangements of the Great Britain will be found in our advertising columns but it will render our paragraph more complete to repeat them here. She leaves Prescott every Wednesday for Niagara calling at Brockville, Kingston, Cobourg, Port Hope and York. Leaves Niagara every Saturday afternoon for Prescott, calling Oswego, (State of New York,) Kingston and Brockville. Passengers for Montreal desirous of taking this conveyance will have to leave by Monday's stage. The United States leaves Ogdensburgh for Lewiston every Monday at 5 A.M. touching at Morristown, Brockville, Alexandria Bay, French Creek, Kingston, Sacket's Harbour, Oswego, Rochester, York and Youngstown; and Lewiston on her way down every Thursday, touching at Youngstown, Rochester, Oswego, Sacket's Harbour, Kingston, French Creek, Alexandria Bay, Brockville and Morristown, and arrives at Ogdensburgh on Saturday.

The William IV, is a remarkable fine boat, launched at Gananoque in the fall of 1831, and exceeded in her last season's business the expectations of her proprietors. Her engine, which is of a hundred horse power, made by Ward and Co. of this city, enables her to surpass any of the Lake boats except the two last mentioned. Her accommodations for passengers are ample and excellent; and her commander this year is Capt. Paynter, well known here last season as master of the Hercules steamer, in which station he secured the esteem of all who knew him. The William IV has given publicity to the following arrangements. Leaves Prescott for Niagara, every Friday at eight o'clock, A.M. and arrives at Niagara on Sunday at five o'clock, P.M. touching as usual at Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Bath, Cobourg, Port Hope, York and Burlington Bay, or Hamilton. Will leave Niagara for Prescott every Monday, touching as usual, at York, Port Hope, Cobourg, Kingston, Gananoque and Brockville.

The United Kingdom, belonging to Robert Hamilton, Esq. has again commenced running this season, since she underwent her late improvements. This fine vessel is, we believe, the next in size to the Great Britain, and of 120 horse power, high pressure. The arrangements and conveniences of this steamer reflect much credit on its enterprising owner. She has sixteen state rooms in the gentlemen's cabin, besides a large and convenient ladies' cabin. The United Kingdom is commanded by Capt. W.L.Harrington, from Lake Champlain, assisted by Capt. Sinclair, an experienced navigator on Lake Ontario. Her arrangements have been announced in the Upper Canada papers as follows:- Leaves Prescott for Queenston every Tuesday afternoon, touching at Brockville, Kingston, Cobourg, Port Hope, York and Niagara, and on her return leaves Queenston for Prescott every Friday, touching at Niagara, York, Kingston and Brockville.

The Queenston, which, as well as the Great Britain, is the property of the Hon. John Hamilton, performs her trips this season with the punctuality for which she has ever been distinguished. She has for her commander Capt. Corning whose attention to passengers and skilfullness as a navigator are undoubted. The Queenston leaves Prescott every Sunday, touching at the same ports with the Great Britain, with the exception of Oswego, and leaves Niagara on her return every Wednesday.

Three new boats intended for the navigation of Lake Ontario, will be added during the course of the season, to those now in operation; - the St. George, now completing at Kingston, the Head of the Lake steamer, the Constitution, built last winter at Oakville, and Cobourg, lately launched at the village whose name she bears. These steamers have been built for the especial convenience of the inhabitants of the places and sections of country, where they are respectively owned, who have hitherto been exposed to much inconvenience in their business and in travelling, from having to depend on the uncertain motions of the other boats which merely called at their ports on ascending and descending the Lake.

The St. George, which was launched this spring, belongs to the company of proprietors who formerly owned the John By. The engine of the latter, of seventy-five horse power, made by Bennett and Henderson, of this city, will be placed in the new boat. The St. George, which is built entirely of cedar, is a beautiful boat, about 120 feet long and 26 feet beam. She is to be commanded by Lieut. Harper, R.N. who for a long time, commanded a steam-packet in the British Channel.

The Constitution, which is at Oakville, now taking in her engine of seventy horse power, made by Ward and Co. of this city, will ply between the Head of the Lake and Brockville and Prescott, touching at the intermediate ports. Of her size and conveniences for passengers we have no detailed account.

The Cobourg, which is described as a very beautiful boat, was built last winter by Mr. Hathaway, under the superintendence of Capt. M'Intosh, (late of the William IV,) who will command her. She is now at York, taking on board two engines of fifty horse power each, made by Sheldon, Dutcher and Co. of that place. We have not been able to discover in the late Cobourg papers, any particular information as to her dimensions, and the mode in which she has been fitted up for travellers. We understand, however, from a private source, that she is a somewhat larger boat than the William IV, being about 140 feet long and about 36 feet extreme breadth.

Of the Bay of Quinte Boats, we may now add a few particulars. The Sir James Kempt, under the able command of her part owner, Capt. Gildersleeve, continues to make her trips with the greatest regularity, leaving Prescott for the Carrying Place every Wednesday and Saturday. The Sir James is a vessel of the largest class, and about one of the fastest steamers now plying on those waters. Her accommodations for passengers are most ample, and every attention is paid to their comfort by her popular commander. The Britannia is a new boat, launched last fall, and belongs to Donald Bethune, Esquire. She has been placed under the command of Lieut. Smart. R.N. and leaves Prescott every Tuesday and Friday. The Britannia, we have understood, is a very pretty model, and for speed and accommodation is said to be surpassed by few on the river. She is 109 feet long and 20 1/2 feet beam; her engine is of fifty-five horse power, made by Bennett and Henderson. Besides twenty-six berths in her gentleman's cabin and sixteen in the ladies', she has a large steerage cabin. The Perseverance is a revival of the old Toronto, which was taken on the stocks and completely renovated. She belongs to John G. Parker, Esq. of Kingston, and is commanded by Capt. Moody. The Perseverance, which does her fair share of the business, leaves Prescott every Monday and Thursday evening. The three Bay of Quinte boats we have mentioned touch, both in ascending and descending, at Brockville, Gananoque, Kingston, Bath, Fredericksburgh, Adolphustown, Hallowell, Culbertson's, Sophiasburgh, Belleville and River Trent. The Perseverance, in addition, calls at Napanee Mills, once a fortnight, on her downward trips, and is the first boat that ever touched at that place. It will be perceived that the three boats form a daily line (Sundays excepted) from Prescott to Kingston, and from Kingston up the Bay of Quinte, and vice versa.

A new boat called the Kingston, belonging to John G. Parker, Esq., which was launched there about a month ago and is now nearly completed, will take the place of the Perseverance on the route as soon as she is ready. The Kingston is a fine boat of 110 feet long and 16 feet beam, and will be propelled by an engine of forty-five horse power, made by Ward and Co. of this city. She will be commanded by Capt. Moody now of the Perseverance. Her cabin, which is below, will contain twenty-eight berths, and the ladies' (on deck) twelve.

The Caroline, commanded by Capt. Ballentine, runs between Ogdensburgh and French Creek, touching at Prescott, Maitland, Morristown, Brockville and Alexandria Bay. She leaves Ogdensburgh on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; returning the following days and touching at the same places.

The following is, we believe, a correct table of the departures of the different boats from Prescott.

Sunday - Queenston.

Monday - United States, Perseverance.

Tuesday - United Kingdom, Britannia, Caroline.

Wednesday - Great Britain, Sir James Kempt.

Thursday - Perseverance, Caroline.

Friday - William IV, Britannia.

Saturday - Sir James Kempt, Caroline.

A small steamboat is constantly employed as a ferry boat between Ogdensburgh and Prescott.

Mr. Parker proposes to employ the Perseverance on the line of the Rideau, when it is opened for navigation. On the Canal, Mr. Drummond will also run the Rideau, now lengthening and undergoing repairs at Kingston, as well as the new boat which he lately launched, of whose dimensions and proposed power of engine we are not informed.

Two boats, the Charles Carroll and the Brownville, used to ply last season between Sacket's Harbour and Kingston, making daily trips, but they have not commenced operations this year, and we are therefore unable to speak positively as to their arrangements.

A new boat called the Black Hawk, 125 feet long, and 30 feet extreme breadth, is nearly ready to commence daily trips, between Ogdensburgh and French Creek, and between the latter place and Kingston. We do not know the power of her engine, which was made by Mr. Avery, of Syracuse, who furnished that for the United States.

To those who may have business to transact on both sides of Lake Ontario, there will be found plying between Kingston and Sacket's Harbour and Oswego a superior class of schooners fitted up as packets, and making, wind and weather permitting, two trips regularly each week.

On the inland waters of the Newcastle District, several small steamers are now or will soon be in operation. On the Rice Lake, the Otanabee, a boat about 60 feet long, and propelled by an engine of twelve horse power, owned by a company of proprietors at Port Hope, plies between Bewdley, at the extremity of Rice Lake, and on the Otanabee River, a distance of about 35 miles as far as Peterboro, calling at the rising villages of Claverton, Campbelltown, and Howard. She makes trips three times a week from Bewdley, which is about 12 miles, we believe, from Port Hope. The Rice Lake, the property of J.G. Bethune, Esq. propelled by an engine of twenty- one horse power, leaves Sully, (a new village about fourteen miles from Cobourg, on the Rice Lake) every day for Peterboro, a distance of about 25 miles. A new boat called the Sturgeon, belonging to the same enterprising gentleman, was lately launched at the new village now forming by Thomas Ward, Esq. of Port Hope, on the borders of Chemong Lake (distant a short portage of six miles from Peterboro). The Sturgeon is eighty feet long, and an engine of about twenty or twenty-five horse power is now fitting up in her. She is intended to ply from the foot of the communication road leading from Peterboro to Chemong (commonly known as Mud Lake) through Buckhorn and Pidgeon Lakes for the present, and when the contemplated improvements are completed, she will add Sturgeon Lake, Scugog River and Lake to her route, making a distance of upwards of sixty miles through waters bounded by the townships of Smith, Ennismore, Emily, Harvey, Verulam, Fenelon, Ops, Cartwright, and Reach, all of which are fast rising into flourishing settlements. It is said, that the new boat, which is described as admirably adapted in point of construction for navigating the chain of waters on which she is to be employed, will be ready in about six weeks. The place of embarkation for travellers, who desire to proceed to the interior of the Newcastle District by this conveyance, will be the village, six miles from Peterboro, already noticed, where the launch took place.

On Lake Simcoe, the Colborne, commanded by Capt. M'Intosh, has commenced her trips round the Lake, touching at all the landing places on both sides. She makes three trips a week, as follows:- leaving Holland Landing on Monday, touching at Roche's Point, Upper and Lower Kempenfelt, Oro, and all the necessary stopping places on the North side of the lake, and returning from the Narrows on Tuesday, touching at Thorah and Georgiana on the East side; starting on Wednesday by the way of Georgiana and Thorah, leaving the Narrows on Thursday, touching on the North side as above; and starting on Friday by way of Kempenfelt and the North side of the lake, the same as on the Mondays, and returning on Saturdays on the East side, always calling at Roche's Point, both up and down.

Among the various boats none deserve greater credit for regularity and punctuality than that of our friend Capt. Richardson - the Canada. This excellent boat, which was completely renovated and embellished last winter and her machinery put in perfect order, makes daily trips between York and Niagara, leaving the former at seven in the morning and the latter at one in the afternoon. Capt. Richardson has long been celebrated for his popularity as the commander of this boat, of which he is also the principal proprietor, and we trust that he will reap the reward his indefatigable exertions fully entitle him to, at the hands of a discerning public.

The John By, steamer, built for the Rideau, but found too large for the navigation of the canal, is now the property of Robert Drummond, Esq. of Kingston, who purchased the boat of the company that built her, and intends to make her a regular packet between York and Hamilton, touching at the different ports at the head of the Lake. This steamer has lately undergone material alterations: her old engine which was found too powerful for a boat of her tonnage, having been taken out, and two new high pressure engines of thirty horse power each, made by Sheldon and Dutcher, of York, put into her. She is to be under the command of Capt. William Kerr, (late of the Brock) - a most excellent selection, since that gentleman, so far as relates to the head of the Lake, is said to be the most experienced navigator in the Province. The John By is about 100 tons burthen, and is a beautiful model; her cabins, gentlemen's and ladies', have been elegantly fitted up. We trust, with the York Courier, that the new service in which she is to be engaged will be as profitable to her enterprising owner, as she will be useful to the inhabitants of those parts of the country for whose convenience she is particularly designed.

The Adelaide, the property of Robert Hamilton, Esq. is the first British Steamer that ever plied on Lake Erie. The engine, formerly in the Alciope, has been fitted into the Adelaide, which is a perfectly new boat, having accommodations for from fifty to sixty cabin passengers, with an awning deck to protect deck passengers from the weather. The Adelaide is commanded by Capt. Molloy, who has had from twelve to fourteen years' experience on Lake Erie, and whose abilities as a seaman are well known. She leaves Chippewa as soon as the passengers by the United Kingdom reach her, and touches at the following ports, Waterloo, Gravelly bay, Otter Creek, Port Stanley, Rondeau, Point Pelee, Amherstburgh, Sandwich and Detroit. This is a great public convenience to that portion of the Province, as opening a communication by water with a section of the country hitherto only accessible by schooners on our side of the Lake.

A beautiful little steamer, called the Lady Colborne, was lately launched at Chatham, on the River Thames, in the Western District. She is of about 100 tons burthen, is considered one of the best models on the Lake, & is intended to ply between Port Stanley and Chippawa on Lake Erie. She has proceeded to Cleaveland in Ohio, to take in her machinery, and will be ready to commence her trips in the course of this month.

To those who from business or occupation may wish to avail themselves of a route by land, stages will be found running regularly from the Carrying Place, at the head of the bay of Quinte, to York, and from that town by the shores of Lake Ontario to Hamilton, whence by other arrangements, they may also journey through the fine villages and beautiful country of the Gore and Niagara Districts to Fort George. From Dundas, which is but a few miles from Hamilton, stages will be found running to Guelph and other portions of the lands of the Canada Company. From Hamilton a line of stages start to Sandwich, in the Western District, passing through London and other towns in the country bordering on Lake Erie. From Port Stanley a stage is now running to St. Thomas, at which place also, a stage leaves three times a week for London, and another line for Port Talbot. At London, passengers can intersect the regular mail stage running between Hamilton and Sandwich. [Montreal Gazette].

p.2 For Sale - The Durham Boat and a small Sloop belonging to the Estate of the late Jonathan Pipe. J. Fisk, Administrator. May 17th, 1833.

Tenders called at H.M. Dockyard for 600 cords of firewood, signed Robert Moore, Master Shipwright. 9th June, 1833.

p.3 The Great Britain - We had the pleasure on Sunday last, off Nine Mile Point, of seeing a fine set of new Colours hoisted on board of the Great Britain Steamer, consisting of the British Ensign, Union Jack, and Borgee. They were presented by the owners of the Steamer United States to Capt. Whitney, as an acknowledgement for the services which he and his crew rendered that vessel when aground a few weeks ago. This was at once a delicate and appropriate way of thanking the Captain and his crew for their exertions on the occasion above alluded to. [Herald]

Marine Assurance Company - On the 10th instant the following gentlemen were elected Directors of this Institution, viz. - Jonas Jones, Alpheus Jones, Alex. McMillen, George Longley, Alex. Morris, Justus Merwin, Hiram Norton, Sydney Jones, Samuel Crane, Robert Harvey, and Alfred Hooker, Esquires. On the 13th Hiram Norton was elected President, Alex. Morris Vice President, A. Jones Secretary and Treasurer, George Longley and J.S. Merwin Trustees. [Herald]

For Sale Cheap - Four good Durham Boats, two of them with and two without rigging. Prescott, April 25th, 1833. Crane, Hooker, M'Cutchon & Co.

Kingston Packet - The New Schooner Llewellyn, fitted up for a packet between Oswego and Kingston, has commenced running her regular trips, and will, wind and weather permitting, make two trips each week.

For freight or passage, apply to C.B. Aspinwall & Co. Oswego; John G. Parker, Kingston, or the Captain on board.

1833

LAKE ONTARIO

The Low Pressure Steam Boat

UNITED STATES,

Propelled by two powerful engines

Capt. R.J. Van Dewater, will ply between Ogdensburgh and Niagara, during the season, as follows:

For Ogdensburgh

Leaves Lewiston every Thursday 8 A.M.

Youngston 9 A.M.

Rochester 7 P.M.

Oswego Friday 9 A.M.

Sackett's Harbour 4 P.M.

Touches at Kingston, and arrives at Ogdensburgh Saturday, 2 o'clock P.M.

For Niagara

Leaves Ogdensburgh every Monday 5 A.M.

Kingston 4 P.M.

Sackett's Harbour 10 P.M.

Oswego Tuesday 8 A.M.

Rochester 7 P.M.

York Wednesday morning, touches at Youngstown, and arrives at Lewiston at 2 o'clock P.M.

p.4 The Subscriber having rented the extensive Store and Wharf, (property of the Hon. John Kirby,) is prepared to receive and forward to Montreal, all kinds of Merchantable produce, and on which (if required) liberal advances will be made on delivery, when consigned to his friends in the Lower Province.

Kingston, April 13th, 1833. Geo. W. Yarker.


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Newspaper
Item Type
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Date of Original
June 29, 1833
Local identifier
KN.1028
Language of Item
English
Donor
Rick Neilson
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Public domain: Copyright has expired according to the applicable Canadian or American laws. No restrictions on use.
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Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Email:walter@maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
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Chronicle & Gazette (Kingston, ON), June 29, 1833