Chronicle & Gazette (Kingston, ON), July 20, 1833

p.2 New Steamer - To the enterprise and public spirit of Messrs. M'Gregor and Van Allan, we are indebted for another new and beautiful Steamboat, the Thames. She arrived at our wharf on Sunday the 23rd ultimo, from Cleveland, where she had gone to receive her engine. She is 112 feet on deck, 17 feet beam and 5 feet 6 inches hold, and for beauty of model, we venture to say, surpasses any other boat on Lake Erie. Her promenade is about 80 feet. Her cabins which are not yet quite completed, are judiciously arranged, and will be finished and furnished in handsome style. The gentlemens' cabin contains 22 permanent and 18 moveable berths. The ladies' cabin has 14 permanent and 16 moveable. Her accommodations for steerage and deck passengers, exceed those of any other boat of her size on our waters. Her engine is of 45 horse power, admirably adapted to her bearings, and does great credit to the manufacturer. If any thing were wanting to establish the well earned reputation of Mr. Jenkinson as a Ship Carpenter, the Thames furnishes practical proof of his skill and abilities. [Sandwich Emigrant]

"Another and Yet Another" - In addition to the Thames, the same gentlemen have in progress another steamboat of smaller size, to be launched in about a month and intended to ply between Malden and Chatham. She will be propelled by the engine of the former Thames, with an enlarged boiler, so as to work up to about 15 horse power. [Sandwich Emigrant]

Quick Travelling - As an instance of the rapid travelling in this country we may mention that lately a gentleman left Belleville at half-past seven on the morning of Tuesday in the Sir James Kempt, Captain Gildersleeve - was put on board the Iroquois at Prescott, and arrived in Montreal on Wednesday - a distance of about 300 miles. It would bother Uncle Sam himself to beat this.

p.3 Knowing that the following letter has emanated from a respectable source, we give it insertion. We must take the liberty, however, to remark, that the accusations therein contained, serve only to verify the old saying, "that accidents will happen in the best regulated families" - for sure we are, there is no vessel on this continent more skilfully managed at sea, nor with greater propriety while in harbour, than the Great Britain. Both Captain Whitney, and his Clerk, are remarkable for the suavity of their manners, and their uniform attention to the passengers as well as others who may have business on board. But the truth is, the rush of idlers on board the Steam Boats, on their arrival at our wharves, is become a perfect nuisance. Our correspondent has unfortunately, and we venture to say unintentionally, been taken for one of this class of persons.

Kingston, July 20th, 1833.

Mr. Editor,

As a publication of the following statement, may be the means of correcting misconduct in our travelling facilities, you will probably confer a favor on the public by inserting it in your popular journal:-

Having had business to transact on board the Steamer Great Britain a few days since, I was much annoyed at being not only prevented for some time from doing so, but from having been most grossly insulted by some of the seamen on board, one of whom, (as is generally the conduct of those invested with such power, who are unused to it) actually collared me and thrust me from the gangway on to the wharf, altho' I informed him I had business on board. This occurred at the fore gangway; being anxious to accomplish my errand, I waited some time, hoping to get a glimpse at the Captain or the Clerk and engage their attention, but in vain; I then endeavoured to board the vessel amidships, from the woodpile on the wharf, (the passage to the after gangway being blocked by the said woodpile) but was again repulsed in nearly the same brutal manner; and without being questioned as to my business in either instance.

I state these facts in order that others may escape insult, and in the hope that these abuses may be corrected. Yours,

Sir, 20. - 2.

If the above statement is doubted by any concerned, I am ready satisfactorily to substantiate whenever called upon this your medium.

The Oswego Route - the success of the Oswego canal is causing Erie canal suporters to try to dissuade travellers from using the Oswego route.

The Subscribers to Captain Gildersleeve's proposed River and Bay Steam-Boat are requested to meet at the Commercial Hotel at 12 o'clock on Thursday the 25th inst. for the purpose of choosing a building committee. Kingston, 17th July, 1833.