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[Illustration: Barlow Cumberland]
A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River
By Barlow Cumberland
TORONTO:
THE MUSSON BOOK COMPANY
LIMITED
COPYRIGHTED
IN CANADA
1913
PUBLISHERS' NOTE.
Although the book is published about two months after the author's death,
it will be gratifying to many readers to know that all the final proofs
were passed by Mr. Cumberland himself. Therefore the volume in detail has
the author's complete sanction. We have added to the illustrations a
portrait of the author.
FOREWORD.
This narrative is not, nor does it purport to be one of general navigation
upon Lake Ontario, but solely of the vessels and steamers which plyed
during its century to the ports of the Niagara River, and particularly of
the rise of the Niagara Navigation Co., to which it is largely devoted.
Considerable detail has, however been given to the history of the steamers
"Frontenac" and "Ontario" because the latter has hitherto been reported to
have been the first to be launched, and the credit of being the first to
introduce steam navigation upon Lake Ontario has erroneously been given to
the American shipping.
Successive eras of trading on the River tell of strenuous competitions.
Sail is overpassed by steam. The new method of propulsion wins for this
water route the supremacy of passenger travel, rising to a splendid climax
when the application of steam to transportation on land and the
introduction of railways brought such decadence to the River that all its
steamers but one had disappeared.
The transfer of the second "City of Toronto" and of steamboating investment
from the Niagara River to the undeveloped routes of the Upper Lakes leads
to a diversion of the narration as bringing the initiation of another era
on the Niagara River and explaining how the steamer, which formed its
centre, came to be brought to the River service.
The closing 35 years of the century form the era of the Niagara Navigation
Co., in which the period of decadence was converted into one of intense
activity and splendid success.
Our steam boating coterie had been promised by Mr. Chas. Gildersleeve,
General Manager of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co., that he would
write up the navigation history of the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River
sections upon which he and his forbears had been foremost leaders.
Unfortunately he passed away somewhat suddenly, before being able to do
this, and they pressed upon me to produce the Niagara section which had
been alloted to myself.
The narration has been completed during the intervals between serious
illness and is sent out in fulfilment of a promise, but yet in hope that it
may be found acceptable to transportation men and with its local historical
notes interesting to the travelling public.
Thanks are given to Mr. J. Ross Robertson, for the reproduction of some
cuts of early steamers, and particularly to Mr. Frederick J. Shepard, of
the Buffalo Public Library, who has been invaluable in tracing up and
confirming data in the United States.
Dr. A. G. Dougaty, C.M.G., Archivist of Canada, Mr. Frank Severance, of the
Buffalo Historical Society, and Mr. Locke, Public Librarian, Toronto, have
been good enough to give much assistance which is warmly acknowledged.
BARLOW CUMBERLAND.
Dunain, Port Hope.
A CENTURY OF SAIL AND STEAM ON THE NIAGARA RIVER.
Chap. I.--The First Eras of Canoe and Sail 9
Chap. II.--The First Steamboats on the River and Lake
Ontario 17
Chap. III.--More Steamboats and Early Water Routes. The
River the Centre of Through Travel East and West. 25
Chap. IV.--Expansion and Decline of Traffic on the River. A
Final Flash, and a Move to the North 36
Chap. V.--On the Upper Lakes With the Wolseley Expedition
and Lord Dufferin 47
Chap. VI.--A Novel Idea and a New Venture. Buffalo in
Sailing Ship Days. A Risky Passage 58
Chap. VII.--Down Through the Welland. The Miseries of
Horse-towing Times. Port Dalhousie and a Lake Veteran. The
Problem Solved. Toronto at Last 68
Chap. VIII.--The Niagara Portal. Old Times and Old Names at
Newark and Niagara. A Winter of Changes. A New Rivalry Begun 80
Chap. IX.--The First Season of The Niagara Navigation
Company. A Hot Competition. Steamboat Manoeuvres 94
Chap. X.--Change Partners Rate-cutting and Racing. Hanlan
and Toronto Waterside. Passenger Limitation Introduced 109
Chap. XI.--Niagara Camps Formed. More Changes and
Competition. Beginnings of Railroads in New York State.
Early Passenger Men and Ways 119
Chap. XII.--First Railways to Lewiston. Expansion Required.
The Renown of the Let-Her-B. A Critic of Plimsoll 134
Chap. XIII.--Winter and Whisky in Scotland. Rail Arrives at
Lewiston Dock. How _Cibola_ got Her Name. On the U. E.
Loyalist Route. _Ongiara_ Added 143
Chap. XIV.--Running the Blockade on the Let-Her-B. as Told
by Her Captain-owner 156
Chap. XV.--The Canadian Electric Railway to Queenston. An
Old Portage Route Revived. The Trek to the Western States.
_Chippewa_ Arrives. Railway Chief 165
Chap. XVI.--_Cibola_ Goes, _Corona_ Comes. The Gorge
Electric Railway Opens to Lewiston. How the Falls Cut Their
Way Back Through the Rocks. Royal Visitors. The Decisiveness
of Israel Tarte. 178
Chap. XVII.--_Cayuga_ Adds Her Name. Niagara and Hamilton
Rejoined. Ice Jams on the River. The Niagara Ferry
Completed. Once More the United Management From "Niagara to
the Sea" 189
INDEX.
A.
_Accommodation_, Steamer 17
Advertising, N. Y. C. 175
_Alaska_, S.S. 145
_Alberta_, Steamer 121
Albany Northern Railroad 42
_Alciope_, Steamer 29
_Algoma_, Steamer 35, 44, 121
Algoma, qualifications of electors 46
American Civil War 43
American Colonists under James II 81
American Constitution Compared 47
American Express Line 37
American Prisoners from Queenston Heights 14
_Arabian_, Steamer 37
_Armenia_, Steamer 126
_Asia_, Steamer 78
_Assiniboia_, Steamer 121
B.
Barre, Chevalier de la 81
Barrie, R. N., Commodore 29, 30
Baldwin, Dr. 15
Bankruptcy of Steamers on River 43
_Bay State_, Steamer 37, 105
Baxter, Alderman John 152
Beatty, Jas, Jr., Mayor 114
Bell, Mr. David 64
Benson, Judge 33
Benson, Capt 33
Blockade-Running 160
Bolton, Col. R. E. 48
Book Tickets Introduced 132
Boswell, A. R 114
Bouchette, Commodore 13
Bowes, Mayor J. G. 38
Boynton, Capt. George B. 156
Brampton, Mills 42
_Britannia_, Steamer 33
Brock, General 15, 33, 169
Brock's Monument, Imitation of 33
_Brooklyn_, Steamer 48
Bruce Mines 44
Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad 31
Buffalo Dry Dock Co. 63
Buffalo in Sailing Days 64
Buffalo & Niagara Falls _Burlington_, Steamer 32
Butler, Col. 84
Butlersberg Begun 84
C.
Callaway, W. R. 123
_Caldwell_, Warships 13
_Caledonia_, Schooner 15
Caledonian Society 97
Caledonian S. S. Co. 140
_Canada_, Steamer 26, 28
Canadian Through Line 37
Canadian Constitution Compared 47
Canada Coasting Law Suspended 49
Canada Railway News Co. 93
Canadian Pacific Railway Terminals 51
_Campana_, Steamer 120
Campbell, Capt. Alexander, Selects Queenston portage 170
_Captain Conn's Coffin_, Schooner 14
Captain, position of, high importance 27
Cannochan, Miss Janet 119
_Cataract_, Steamer 37, 105
Cayuga Creek 10
Cayuga, 112 ways of spelling 189
_Cayuga_, Steamer, launched, speed trials 190
Century, the close of a 198
_Campion_, Steamer 37
Charleston, S. C. 159
Charles II. Adventurers 45
_Chicora_, Steamer--
With Woolesly 47
History name 148
Renown 138
_Chicora_, Steamer, decision to build partner 136
_Chief Justice Robinson_, Steamer 34, 39, 41
Chief Deseronto 152
Chief Brant 152
Chippawa River 9
_Chippewa, Steamer_--
Name 173
Launched 174
_Cibola_, Steamer--
Burned 17
Built 145
History of Name 148
_City of Toronto_, 1st Steamer 25
_City of Toronto_, 2nd Steamer 35
Rebuilt as Algoma 44
Transferred to Upper Lakes 45
_City of Toronto_, 3rd Steamer 35
Goes ashore 123
Burned 125
_Clermont_, Steamer 17
Collingwood-Lake Superior Line 109
_Columba_, Steamer 141
_Commodore Barrie_, Steamer 30
Connaught, H.R.H. Duke of 51
Conn, Capt. 14
_Corona_, Steamer--
Named 179
Launched 179
Cornell, Mr. George 89, 102
Cross raised at Fort Niagara 81
Cross raised at Quebec by Cartier 81
Cumberland, Col. F. W., M.P. 48, 49, 53, 62, 78, 121
Cumberland, Barlow-- 61, 109, 120, 172, 198
Cumberland, Mrs. Seraphina 122
Cumberland, Miss Mildred-- 174, 179
Cumberland, Miss Constance 150
_Cumberland_, Steamer 63
Currie, James C. Neil 36
D.
Daniels, Geo. H. 176
Dawson Road 44, 48
Dennis, Joseph 14, 26
Denison, Lt.-Col. Robert 154
Denonville, Marquis de 82
Demary, J. G. 73
Dick, Capt. Thomas 30, 44
Dick, Capt. Jas. 44
Doctors prescribe Niagara Line 132
Docks purchased--
Queenston 91
Youngstown 166
Niagara-on-Lake 181
Lewiston 191
Toronto 195
Dongan, Col. Thomas 81
Donaldson, Capt. William 110
Don Francesco de Chicora 149
Dorchester, Lord 13
Dorchester, Lady 13
_Dove_, Schooner 14
_Dragon_, H. M. S. 30
Dufferin, Lord 52
Tour through Upper Lakes 53
Dufferin, Countess of 54
_Duke of Richmond_, Packet 15
Duke and Duchess of York 183
Dunbarton, Scotland 38
E.
Early Steamer Routes and Rates 23, 24, 29, 31, 32, 134
Early Passenger Schedules--
Albany and Bugalo 128
Early Passenger Agents 131
Early Closing Movement 185
Eckford, David 18
Electrical Traction, Infancy of 167
_Emerald_, Steamer 32
_Empress of India_, Steamer-- 114, 126
Engineer Corps of U. S. A. 193
Erie Canal 36, 40
Erie & Ontario Railway 38
Ernestown 18
Esquesing, Mills 42
Estes, Capt. Andrew 28
Evolution of the Niagara Gorge 180
Exclusive Rights for Navigation by Steam 18
Excursion, Queen's Birthday 94
Expansion of Niagara Navigation Co. 194
Exposition, Buffalo 182
F.
Fast Time to Niagara 26-31
_Filgate_, Steamer 114
Finkle's Point 18, 19, 25
First Vessel on Lake Erie 10
First Navies On Lake Ontario 17
First Company to Build Steamer for Lake Ontario 17
First Steamer on Lake U & First Steamer on Hudson River 17
First Steamer on St. Lawrence 17
First Steamer on Lake Ontario 19
First Steamers on Lake Ontario, dimensions of 22
First Board of Directors N. N. Co. 197
First Steamer to Run the Rapids 121
First Niagara Camp 119
First Twin-screw Steamer on Upper Lakes 121
First Canoe Route to Upper Lakes 9, 45
First Name of Niagara 155
First Iron Steamers 36
First Railroads in New York State 127
First Sleeping Cars 129
First Electric Railway to Niagara River 167
First U. E. Loyalists 153
First Suspension Bridge over Niagara 171
Flour Rates (1855) to New York 41
Flour via Lewiston to Montreal 42
Folger, Mr. B. W. 186
Fort William 45
Fort Garry 44
Fort George 83, 120
Fort York--Toronto 154
Fort Missasauga 80
Fort Niagara, contests for possession of 12
Fort Niagara--
Established by French 81
Evacuated 83
Captured by British 83
Never captured 3
Americans 83
Formalities on Early Steamers 26
Four Track Series 176
Foy, Hon. J. J. 184, 198
Foy, John 62, 109, 132, 188
Foy, Mr. A. 150
Foy, Miss Clara 179
French River 9, 45
French Pioneers, Trail of 11
French Encompass British 12
Friendly Hand Excursions 100
Frontenac, Count 10
_Frontenac_, Steamer, commenced 23, 24, 28
Frontenac Lake 12
Frontier House, Lewiston 146
Fulton, Robert 17
G.
Gallinee, Pere 81
Gibraltar, Point 14
Gilbert, Abner 84
Gildersleeve Family Record 15
Gildersleeve, H. 25
_Gildersleeve_, Steamer 33
Gilkison, Robert 30, 31
Glasgow, Winter in 143
Gordon, L. B., Purser Peerless 41, 136
_Gore_, Steamer 30
Gorge Electric Railway 179
_Governor Simcoe_, Schooner 13
Grand Trunk Railway, opened 42
_Great Britain_, Steamer 29
Great Western Railway 42, 60
Great Trek to Western States 171
_Griffon_, Sloop 10, 81
Grimsby 32
Gunn, J. W. 37
Gzowski, Mr. Casimir 64
H.
Hall, Capt. 76
Hamilton, Hon. Robert 25, 29, 170
Hamilton, Hon. John 29, 36
Hamilton Steamboat Co. purchased 114
Hanlan, Edward, reception of 114
Harbottle, Capt. Thomas 36, 92
Harbour Regulations, Toronto, 1851 37-38
_Hastings_, Steamer 150
Hayter, Mr. Ross 152
Head of Navigation Portages 170
Hendrie, Geo. H. 173
Hendrie, Hon. J. S. 197
Hendrie, William 173
Hennepin, Father 10
Heron, Capt. 34
_Highlander_, Steamer 37
Historical Society, Buffalo 20
Horse Canalling through Welland 68
Hudson River Railroad 41
Hudson's Bay Fort 50
I.
Ice Jams on River 191-194
Irea, A Novel 59
Immigrants by Chippawa River 171
Indiana Excursions 99
Interest, Points of 101
Iroquois Cap 11
Irwin, C. W. 88
Isle Royale 11, 63
Israel Tarte's Decisiveness 184
J.
_J. T. Robb_, Tug 62
_Jean Baptiste_, Steamer 114
Johnson, Sir William 12, 83
Jonquiere 83
K.
Kaministiqua River 45
_Kathleen_, Steamer 150
Kendrick, Mr. D. M. 175
Kent, H. R. H. Duke of 13
Kerr, Capt. Robert 32, 87
Kingston Gazette 19
Kingston Dockyard 29
Kirby, Mr. Frank 173
L.
La Salle 10
_Lady Dorchester_, Schooner 13
_Lady Washington_, Schooner 13
_Lahn_, S.S. 138
Lake Superior 44
Lake Ontario Steamboat
Co. 20
Lake Nipissing 81
Leach, Capt. Thomas 43, 62, 125
Leach, Alexander 62, 103
Legislature, Provincial 46
Lewiston 12, 20, 89
Lewiston, Railway Development 134
Liancourt, Duke de 85
Ligneris 12
Limitation of Passengers 116-118
_Limnale_, Warship 13
Livingston 18
Long Point Bay 14
_Lord of the Isles_, Steamer 141
Lunt, Mr. R. C. 88, 110, 111, 118
Lusher 19
M.
Mackinac 57
Macdonald, Bruce 198
Macklem, Oliver T. 38
_Magnet_, Steamer 37
_Maid of the Mist_, Steamer 121
Maitland, Lady 26
Maitland, Sir Peregrine 26
Mallahy, U. S. N. Capt. Francis 22
Manchester 31
Manitoulin Island 44
Manson, Capt. William 62, 70, 78
_Maple Leaf_, Steamer 37
Marine Dept., United States 63
Marine Insurance Anomalies 66
Mariner, An Ancient 73
Marks, Thomas 51
_Martha Ogden_, Steamer 20, 28, 29
Matthews, W. D. 198
Maude, John 85
_Maxwell_, Steamer 114
_Mayflower_, Steamer 37
McBride, R. H. 62, 78, 198
McCorquodale, Capt. 130, 152, 187
McGiffin, Capt. 152, 180
McKenzie, R.N. Capt. James 23, 29
McLean, Capt. 48
McLure, General, Retreats from Newark 86
McNab, Capt. 56
Meeker, Mr. C. B. 127
Mellish, John 85
Milloy, Capt. Duncan 38, 43
Milloy, N. & Co. 47
Milloy Estate, Arrangements with 87
Milloy, Donald 88, 110, 122
Milloy, Capt. Wm. Assumes Control 122
_Minerva_, Packet 15
Missassag River 45
Mississippi River 11
_Mohawk_, Sloop 13
_Moira_, Warship 15
Molson, Hon. John 17
Monett, Mr. Henry 175
Moore, George, Chief Engineer 93
Morton, Mr. Robert 142
Mowats Dock 124
Murdock, William 51
Muir's Dry Dock 59
Muir, Mr. W. K. 60
Muir, Capt. D. 72
Mull, Y. Cantire 144
Murney, Captain 15
Murphy, Steve 130
Myers, Capt. 14
N.
Names for Steamers, why chosen 147, 155, 173, 179, 188
Navigation, Upper Lakes, Permitive 52
Navy Hall 13, 120
Nepigon River 45
Newark 84
Seat of Government, burned by Americans, rises from ashes 85, 86
New Orleans 11
_New Era_, Steamer 37
New York Central Railway 40, 127, 128, 172
New York to Buffalo in 1847 172
Niagara River, Gateway of West 11-12
Niagara River Steamers in 1826 28
_Niagara_, Steamer 28, 29
Niagara Navigation Co.--
Formed 61
First Directors 61-62
Niagara Dock Co. 30
Niagara Falls & Ontario Railway 40
Niagara Escarpment, View from 70, 168
Niagara-on-the-Lake 80
Niagara Portal 80
Niagara-on-Lake, Changes in Name 86
Niagara River Line 95
Niagara Dock 104
Niagara Historical Society 119
Niagara Line, Final Supremacy 126
Niagara Falls & Ontario R. K. 135
Niagara River Navigation Co., U. S. A. 166
Niagara Falls Park and River Railway 167
Niagara to the Sea 196-197
Niles Weekly Register 20, 21
North-West Company 13
_Northerner_, Steamer 37
Notable Day (1840) on River 33
Notable Passages to Niagara 187
O.
Oakville, Mills 42
Oakville Church 95
Oates, Commander Edward 16
Observation Cars 151
Ogdensburgh 29
Ohio River 11
Onandaga Salt Wells 35
_Ongiara_, Steamer 155
_Ontario_, Steamer--
Commenced 14
Launched 21, 22, 24
Ontario Steamboat Co. 19, 20
_Orion_, Schooner 49
Orr, Capt. James C. 55
Osler, Mr. E. B. 173, 188, 198
Osler, F. Gordon 198
Osler, Miss Niary 174
Oskwego Lake 9
_Ottawa_, Steamer 30
Ottawa River 9
_Ozone_, Steamer 141
P.
_Pandora_, Schooner 49
Parry Sound 53, 56
Parry, W. H. 177
_Passport_, Steamer 36
_Peerless_, Steamer 38
Pellatt, C.V.O., Sir Henry 198
Penobscot, Maine 30
Phelan, T. P. 93
Pioneers of France 11
Plimsoll's Legislation 139
Point Aux Pins 48
Point Ahina 67
Pollard, Capt. & Adjt. 119
Port Dalhousie 32, 72
Port Colborne 62, 63
Port Credit, Mills 42
Port Arthur 51
Pouchot 12
_Powhatan_, Warship, U. S. 158
_Prince Edward_, Sloop 13
Prince Arthur's Landing 50
Origin of Name 51
Prince Arthur of Connaught 51
Presquile 11, 14
Puchot, Capt. 83
Q.
Quebec 12
Quebec Gazette 20
Queenston Heights 10
Queenston Heights, Battle of 169
_Queenston_, Steamer 25, 28, 29
_Queen Victoria_, Steamer 30, 32
Queen Anne, Communion Service 152
Queen Victoria Niagara Park 151
_Queen Charlotte_, Steamer 25
_Queen City_, Steamer 42
Quinte, Bay of 18
R.
Racing, Protest Against 111
Rainy River 11
Rankin, Blackmore & Co. 142
Rathbun, E. W. 145, 151
_Red Jacket_, Steamer 31
Red River 45
_Reindeer_, Schooner 14
Richards, Mr. E. J. 129
Richardson, Capt. James 14
Richardson, Capt. Hugh 26, 37
Richardson, Capt. Hugh, Jr. 34
Riel Rebellion 47
_Rochester_, Steamer 35
_Rothsay Castle_, Steamer 43
_Rothesay_, Steamer 88, 92, 118
Rouge River 26
Route Hudson Bay & North-West Co. 45
Royal Mail Line 37,196
Ruggles, A. W. 177
Running the Blockade on the "Let Her B" 156
_Rupert_, Steamer 125
Russell, Governor 85
S.
Sackett's Harbour 18
Sailing Era Closed 16
Salter, Rev. G. 172
Sault Canal 48
Scott, General Winfield 15
Second Canoe Route to Upper Lakes 11
_Seneca_, Warship 13
_Shickluna_, Steamer 49
Shipbuilding at Niagara 30-38
_Simcoe_, Sloop 14
Simcoe, Lieut.-Gov. 84, 85
Sinclair, Capt. James 30
Six Nation Indians 152
Smith, Hon. Frank, afterward Sir 61, 78, 92, 109, 183
Smyth, Charles 18, 20
Solmes, W. H., Capt. 67
Sorel 78
_Southern Belle_, Steamer 43, 59
_Speedy_, Schooner 14
St. Clair Lake 10, 11
St. Louis 11
_St. Nicholas_, Steamer 42
St. Catharines 32, 60, 71
St. Catharines & Toronto Line 126
Stages to Lewiston 25, 171
Steamboating Era Begins 17
Stoney Point 29
Sutherland, Capt. J. 37
Sullivan, J. M. 197
Sydenham, Lord, Gov.-Genl. 33
T.
Teabout & Chapman 18, 25
Tea in Canada 144
The Old Portage 168
Through the Last Lock 74, 76
Thunder Bay 47
Tillingharst, Mr. 92
Tinning's Wharf 43
_Toronto_, Schooner 14
Toronto citizens given to water sports 114
Toronto Field Battery 119
Tour, Lord Dufferin 53
Towed Across Lake Erie 66, 77
Transfer Coaches at Lewiston 146
_Transit_, Steamer 30, 34
_Traveller_, Steamer 30
Trickett, Edward 114
Troyes, Pierre de 82
_Turbinia_, Steamer Competes 190
Twohey, Capt. H. 36
U.
Underwood, Mr. 177
_United Kingdom_, Steamer 29
_United States_, Steamer 30
V.
Van Cleve, Capt. 20, 21, 28, 29, 146
Vancouver 30
Vanderbilt, Commodore 127
_Victoria_, Steamer 31
Vrooman's Bay 105
W.
Wabash District 99
Washago, Laying Corner Stone 53-54
Wauhuno Channel 56
_Waubuno_, Steamer 56, 57
Weather Bureau, United States 65
Weekes, E. J. 176
Welland Canal 58, 60, 68
Western Railroad 41
West Niagara 84
Whalen, J., Foreman 145
Where the Falls Once Were 181
Whiskey in Scotland 144
White, W. 136
Whitehead, M. F. 15
Whitney, Capt. Joseph 29
_William IV._, Steamer 30, 31
Wilson, Joseph 49
Winter Mail Services 34, 39, 40, 42
Wolseley Expedition 47
American Obstacles to 50
Wolseley, Col. Garnet 50
Names Prince Arthur's Landing 51
Woodward, M. D. 60
Wyatt, Capt. Thomas 88
Y.
_York_, Schooner 13
York 37, 85
Youngstown 28, 29, 135
Z.
_Zimmerman_, Steamer 38
[Illustration: QUEENSTOWN. The NIAGARA RIVER from Queenston Heights. (page
169) LEWISTON.]
A CENTURY OF SAIL AND STEAM ON THE NIAGARA RIVER
CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST ERAS OF CANOE AND SAIL.
Since ever the changes of season have come, when grasses grow green, and
open waters flow, the courses of the Niagara River, above and below the
great Falls, have been the central route, for voyaging between the far
inland countries on this continent, and the waters of the Atlantic shores.
Here the Indian of prehistoric days, unmolested by the intruding white,
roamed at will in migration from one of his hunting-grounds to another,
making his portage and passing in his canoe between Lake Erie and Lake
Oskwego (Ontario). In later days, when the French had established
themselves at Quebec and Montreal, access to Lake Huron and the upper lakes
was at first sought by their voyageurs along the nearer route of the Ottawa
and French Rivers, a route involving many difficulties in surmounting
rapids, heavy labour on numberless portages, and exceeding delay.
Information had filtered down gradually through Indian sources of the
existence of this Niagara River Route, on which there was but one portage
of but fourteen miles to be passed from lake to lake, and only nine miles
if the canoes entered the water again at the little river (Chippawa) above
the Falls.
On learning the fact the French turned their attention to this new
waterway, but for many a weary decade were unable to establish themselves
upon it. In 1678 Father Hennepin, with an expedition sent out by Sieur La
Salle sailed from Cataraqui (Kingston) to the Niagara River, the name
"Hennepin Rock" having come down in tradition as a reminiscence of their
first landing below what is now Queenston Heights. Passing over the
"Carrying Place," they reached Lake Erie. Here, at the outlet of the Cayuga
Creek, on the south shore, they built a small two-masted vessel rigged with
equipment which they brought up for the purpose from Cataraqui, in the
following year.
This vessel, launched in 1679, and named the "Griffon" in recognition of
the crest on the coat of arms of Count Frontenac, the Governor of Canada,
was the first vessel built by Europeans to sail upon the upper waters. In
size she so much exceeded that of any of their own craft, with her white
sails billowing like an apparition, and of novel and unusual appearance,
that intensest excitement was created among the Indian tribes as she passed
along their shores.
Her life was brief, and the history of her movements scanty; the report
being that after sailing through Lake St. Clair she reached Michilimakinac
and Green Bay, on Lake Michigan, but passed out of sight on Lake Huron on
the return journey, and was never heard of afterwards.
Tiny though this vessel was and sailing slow upon the Upper Lakes, yet a
great epoch had been opened up, for she was the progenitor of all the
myriad ships which ply upon these waters at the present day. It was the
entrance of the white man, with his consuming trade energy, into the red
man's realm, the death knell of the Indian race.
With greatly increased frequency of travelling and the more bulky
requirements of freightage this "one portage" route was more increasingly
sought, and as the result of their voyagings these early French pioneers
have marked their names along the waterways as ever remaining records of
their prowess--such as Presquile (almost an island); Detroit (the narrow
place); Lac Sainte Clair; Sault Ste Marie (Rapids of St. Mary River); Cap
Iroquois; Isle Royale; Rainy River (after Rene de Varennes); Duluth (after
Sieur du Luth, of Montreal); Fond du Lac (Head of Lake Superior).
From here mounting up the St. Croix River, seeking the expansion of that
New France to whose glory they so ungrudgingly devoted their lives, these
intrepid adventurers reached over to the Mississippi, and sweeping down its
waters still further marked their way at St. Louis (after their King) and
New Orleans (after his capital), annexing all the adjacent territories to
their Sovereign's domains.
The Niagara River Route then became the motive centre of a mighty
circum-vallation by which the early French encompassed within its circle
the English Colonies then skirting along the Atlantic.
What a magnificent conception it was of these intrepid French to envelope
the British settlements and strengthened by alliances with the Indian
tribes and fortified by a line of outposts established along the routes of
the Ohio and the Mississippi, to hem their competitors in from expansion to
the great interior country of the centre and the west. Standing astride the
continent with one foot on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, at Quebec, and the
other at New Orleans, on the Gulf of Mexico, the interior lines of commerce
and of trade were in their hands. They hoped that Canada, their New France,
on this side of the ocean, was to absorb all the continent excepting the
colonies along the shores of the sea. So matters remained for a century.
Meanwhile the English colonies had expanded to the south shores of the
Lakes Oswego and Frontenac, and in 1758 we read of an English Navy of eight
schooners and three brigs sailing on Lake Ontario under the red cross of
St. George and manned by sailors of the colonies.
In 1759, came the great struggle for the possession of the St. Lawrence and
connecting lines of the waterways. Fort Niagara, whose large central stone
"castle," built in 1726, still remains, passed from the French under
Pouchot, to the British under Sir William Johnson; a great flotilla of
canoes conveying the Indian warriors under Ligneris to the aid of the Fort,
had come down from the Upper Lakes, to the Niagara River, but upon it being
proved to them that they were too late, for the Fort had fallen, they
re-entered their canoes and re-traced their way up the rivers back to their
Western homes.
Next followed the fall of Quebec, and with the cession of Montreal in 1760
the "New France" of old from the St. Lawrence to the Mexican Gulf became
merged in the "New England" of British Canada.
The control of the great central waterway, of which this Niagara River was
the gateway, had passed into other hands.
For another fifty years only sailing vessels navigated the lakes to
Niagara, and these, and batteaux, pushed along the shores and up the river
by poles, made their way to the foot of the rapids at Lewiston with
difficulty. These vessels were mainly small schooners with some cabin
accommodation.
After the cession of Canada, by the French, the British Government began
the establishment of a small navy on Lake Ontario. An official return
called for by Lord Dorchester, Governor-General of Canada, gives the
Government vessels as being in 1787, _Limnale_, 220 tons, 10 guns.
_Seneca_, 130 tons, 18 guns. _Caldwell_, 37 tons, 2 guns, and two schooners
of 100 tons each being built. As there was at that time but one merchant
vessel, the schooner _Lady Dorchester_, 80 tons, sailing on the lake, and a
few smaller craft the property of settlers, transport for passengers
between the principal ports was mainly afforded by the Government vessels.
As an instance of their voyaging may be given that of _H.M.S. Caldwell_,
which in 1793, carrying Lady Dorchester, the wife of the Governor-General,
is reported to have made "an agreeable passage of thirty-six hours from
Kingston to Niagara."
In this same year H.R.H. the Duke of Kent [afterwards father of Her Majesty
Queen Victoria] is reported as having proceeded from Kingston up Lake
Ontario to Navy Hall on the Niagara River in the King's ship _Mohawk_
commanded by Commodore Bouchette.
Further additions to the merchant schooners were the _York_, built on the
Niagara River in 1792, and the _Governor Simcoe_, in 1797, for the
North-West Company's use in their trading services on Lake Ontario. Another
reported in 1797--the _Washington_--built at Erie, Pa., was bought by
Canadians, portaged around the Falls and run on the British register from
Queenston to Kingston as the _Lady Washington_.
The forests of those days existed in all their primeval condition, so that
the choicest woods were used in the construction of the vessels. We read in
1798 of the _Prince Edward_, built of red cedar, under Captain Murney of
Belleville, and capable of carrying seven hundred barrels of flour, and of
another "good sloop" upon the stocks at Long Point Bay, near Kingston,
being built of black walnut. A schooner, "The Toronto," built in 1799, a
little way up the Humber, by Mr. Joseph Dennis, is described as "one of
the handsomest vessels, and bids fair to be the swiftest sailing vessel on
the lake, and is admirably calculated for the reception of passengers."
This vessel, often mentioned as "The Toronto Yacht," was evidently a great
favorite, being patronized by the Lieutenant-Governor and the Archbishop,
and after a successful and appreciated career, finished her course abruptly
by going ashore on Gibraltar Point in 1811. The loss of the Government
schooner _Speedy_ was one of the tragic events of the times. The Judge of
the District Court, the Solicitor General and several lawyers who were
proceeding from York to hold the Assizes in the Newcastle District,
together with the High Constable of York, and an Indian prisoner whom they
were to try for murder, were all lost when the vessel foundered off
Presquile in an exceptional gale on 7th October, 1804.
Two sailing vessels, the schooners _Dove_ and the _Reindeer_, (Capt. Myers)
are reported in 1809 as plying between York and Niagara. A third, commanded
by Capt. Conn, is mentioned by Caniff, but no name has come down of this
vessel, but only her nickname of "_Captain Conn's Coffin_." This _j'eu
d'esprit_ may have been due to some peculiarity in her shape, but as no
disaster is reported as having occurred to her she may have been more
seaworthy than the nickname would have indicated.
Of other events of sailing vessels was the memorable trip from Queenston to
York in October, 1812, of the sloop _Simcoe_, owned and commended by Capt.
James Richardson.
After the battle of Queenston Heights, on October 13th, she had been laden
with American prisoners, among them General Winfield Scott, afterwards the
conqueror in Mexico, to be forwarded at once to Kingston. The _Moira_ of
the royal navy was then lying off the port of York and on her Mr.
Richardson, a son of the Captain, was serving as sailing master.
As the _Simcoe_ approached she was recognized by young Richardson, who,
putting off in a small boat, met her out in the lake and was much surprised
at seeing the crowded state of her decks and at the equipment of his
father, who, somewhat unusually for him, was wearing a sword.
The first words from the ship brought great joy--a great battle had been
fought on Queenston Heights--the enemy had been beaten. The _Simcoe_ was
full of prisoners of war to be transported at once to the _Moira_ for
conveyance to Kingston. Then came the mournful statement, "General Brock
has been killed." The rapture of victory was overwhelmed by the sense of
irreparable loss. In such way was the sad news carried in those sailing
days to York.
The _Minerva_, "Packet," owner and built by Henry Gildersleeve, at Finkle's
Point in 1817, held high repute. Richard Gildersleeve emigrated from
Hertfordshire, England, in 1635, and settled in Connecticut. His
great-great-grandson, Obadiah, established a successful shipbuilding yard
at "Gildersleeve," Conn. Henry Gildersleeve, his grandson, here learned his
business and coming to Finkle's Point in 1816 assisted on the _Frontenac_,
and continuing in shipbuilding, married Mrs. Finkle. When _Minerva_ arrived
at Kingston she was declared by Capt. Murray, R.N., to be in her
construction and lines the best yet turned out, as she proved when plying
as a "Packet" between Toronto and Niagara.
Many sailing vessels meeting with varying success, were plying between all
the ports on the lake. The voyages were not always of the speediest. "The
Caledonia," schooner, is reported to have taken six days from Prescott to
York. Mr. M. F. Whitehead, of Port Hope, crossed from Niagara to York in
1818, the passage occupying two and a half days. In a letter of his
describing the trip he enters:--"Fortunately, Dr. Baldwin had thoughtfully
provided a leg of lamb, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of porter; all our
fare for the two days and a half."
These vessels seem to have sailed somewhat intermittently, but regular
connection on every other day with the Niagara River was established by
"The Duke of Richmond" packet, a sloop of one hundred tons built at York in
1820, under Commander Edward Oates.
His advertisements announced her to "leave York Monday, Wednesday and
Friday at 9 a.m. Leave Niagara on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10
a.m., between July and September," after that "according to notice." The
rates of passage were:--"After Cabin ten shillings; Fore Cabin 6s. 6.;
sixty lbs. of baggage allowed for each passenger, but over that 9d. per
cwt. or 2s. per barrel bulk."
The standard of measurement was a homely one, but no doubt well understood
at that time, and easily ascertained. In the expansion of the size of
ladies' trunks in these present days it is not beyond possibility that a
measurement system such as used in the early part of the last century might
not be inadvisable.
The reports of the "packet" describe her as being comfortable and
weatherly, and very regular in keeping up her time-table. She performed her
services successfully on the route until 1823, when she succumbed to the
competition of the steamboats which had shortly before been introduced.
With the introduction upon the lakes of this new method of propulsion the
carrying of passengers on sailing vessels quickly ceased.