Chronicle & Gazette (Kingston, ON), Jan. 25, 1834

p.2 Plan for Shortening Distance between Kingston and Cape Vincent - comment on plan which appeared in recent Chronicle. [N.Y. Emigrant]

New Steam Boat to Surmount the Rapids of the St. Lawrence - We beg leave to draw the attention of our readers to the proceedings of a meeting recently held in the village of Prescott for the purpose of taking into consideration the most expedient plan of building a steam passage boat to ply between Prescott and Montreal.

A plan of the proposed boat which appears to be an improvement on Mr. Burden's system may be seen at this office - and it affords us much pleasure to state that the most sanguine hopes are entertained of the success of this important enterprise. Men of intelligence and intimate knowledge of the navigation of the River pronounce the undertaking as perfectly practicable.

Commodore Barrie descended the River from Kingston to Quebec about 3 years since in a vessel (the Rattle Snake) drawing 3 feet of water and from his personal knowledge of the rapids he entertains no doubt of the success of the boat and we are happy to observe that with his accustomed public spirit he has taken stock very liberally.

Mr. Brown, of New York, who a few years ago built the Great Britain at Prescott and who during his residence in that part of the country, made himself well acquainted with the navigation of the St. Lawrence, frequently gave it as his opinion that to navigate these rapids by means of steam was not as formidable an undertaking as was generally supposed, declaring that the passage through Hurlegat [Hell's Gate] in the East River, at half-tide, was fully as difficult as the worst of the rapids in question.

We therefore feel persuaded that there is a reasonable hope of the most satisfactory results with a measure which, if successful, is destined to cause highly important changes in the commercial and travelling interests of this colony.

p.3

A NEW STEAM BOAT.

To be built at Prescott, on an improved plan, to ply between Prescott and Montreal.

At a general meeting of the inhabitants of Prescott, called for the purpose of taking into consideration the most expedient plan of building a STEAM PASSAGE BOAT, to ply between Prescott and Montreal, A. M'Millan, Esq. being called to the Chair, and Mr. W.B. Wells appointed Secretary, the following Resolutions were proposed and adopted:-

1st - That this meeting deem it expedient to construct a Boat at Prescott, of the following description, viz. Two cylinders of an elliptical, or oval form, 176 feet in length, 5 in depth, and 9 feet wide; to be built of staves, and bolted together, by means of iron hoops, on the inside, without any timbers; the ends formed in such a manner as to give a good bow and stern. The cylinders to be placed twelve feet apart, with a deck extended across them to project two feet outside, measuring 176 x 31 feet, and bolted by means of iron bolts, and well secured with iron braces. A wheel, of 25 feet diameter, and 12 feet in length, to be placed between the Boats, and worked by two Low Pressure Engines of 30 horse power each. When thus far advanced, the Boat not to draw more than 20 1/4 inches, and move through the water at the rate of 18 miles per hour.

2nd - That, from estimates, the meeting are of opinion, that such a Boat can be constructed and put into operation for £5000.

3rd - That, to ensure a more extensive and impartial circulation of Stock, this sum be divided into Eight Hundred Shares at Six Pounds Five Shillings each, and, until the Boat be completed, the Stock be not transferable, except by the consent of a majority of the Committee of Management.

4th - That, until the completion of the Boat, no Stockholder be entitled to a vote on any share or shares over fifty.

5th - That Hiram Norton, Alexander McMillan, Alpheus Jones, Joseph Whitney, Lonson Hilliard, Esquires, of Prescott, Henry Gildersleeve, Esq., of Kingston, and John McDonald, Esq. of Gananoque, be the Managing and Building Committee.

6th - That, a committee be appointed to open the Books and take up Subscriptions for Stock, who are to report to the Committee of Management as early as the 15th day of February next, and that the following by a committee, viz.:-

Messrs. Wm. Ritchie & Co. Montreal; C. & J. McDonald & Co., Gananoque; Joseph Whitney and W.B. Wells, Esqrs. Prescott; Guy C. Wood, Esq. Cornwall; George Brouse, Esq. Matilda; D.C. Judson, Esq. Ogdensburgh, U.S.; J.G. Bethune, Esq. Cobourg; G. Monro, Esq. York; Russell Prentiss, Esq. Hamilton; Lewis Clement, Esq. Niagara; Henry Gildersleeve, Esq. Kingston; Billa Flint, Esq. Brockville; George A. Clark, Esq. Brantford.

7th - That, as soon as £2,500 be subscribed, the Managing and Building Committee may proceed to make Contracts for the building of said Boat.

8th - That the Committee of Management be hereby authorised to open the Books immediately, and send them to each of the Committee for taking up the Subscriptions; and that they be also authorised to proportion the amount of each instalment to be paid in, and fix the time for the payment of the same; and also the time for forfeiture in default of payment.

(Signed) Alexander McMillan, Chairman.

W.B. Wells, Secretary.

Prescott, January 14th, 1833.