Part 51 (1/2)

But to return. We were tracing the fortunes of Captain Richardson's boat, the _Canada_, in 1827.

In July, 1827, the _Canada_ met with an accident. She broke her main shaft on the Lake. The _Loyalist_ of the 4th of August says: ”We regret to state that the steam-boat _Canada_, while crossing the Lake from Niagara on Tuesday last, unfortunately broke her main shaft. The accident we hope is not of such a nature as to deprive us any great length of time of the convenience which that excellent Boat has afforded us of daily communication with Niagara.” In the paper of August 18th it is announced that the _Canada_ is all right again. ”The _Canada_, we are happy to state, has again commenced making her usual trips to Niagara: she left the Harbour yesterday afternoon.” Towards the close of the season we have a record of the brave buffetings of this vessel with an easterly gale on the Lake. ”On Monday last,” says the _Loyalist_ of the 27th October, ”we were visited by one of those violent gales of easterly wind, accompanied with torrents of rain, not unusual at this season of the year. The Steam-Boat _Canada_, at 10 o'clock in the morning, when there was an appearance of the storm moderating, left the Niagara river for York. She had not proceeded far on her voyage however, when the gale increased with greater violence than before, and in a short time both her masts were carried away, and some damage done to her chimney.

Fortunately her engine remained uninjured, and enabled her at about five in the afternoon to reach the wharf in safety. The _Canada_ has made some of her trips in the most boisterous weather, and deservedly bears the name of an excellent sea boat. She suffered no delay from the damage she had sustained, and left the Harbour the following morning for Niagara. The weather since Monday continues boisterous and cold.”

On December 1st, the _Loyalist_ announces that ”the _Canada_ Steam Boat made her last trip from Niagara on Tuesday, and is now laid up for the winter.” In the following spring, on the 27th of March, she takes over Sir Peregrine Maitland. ”His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and family left York,” says the _Loyalist_ of March 29, 1828, ”on Thursday morning for Stamford. His Excellency embarked on board the _Canada_ Steam Packet under a salute from the Garrison.” A communication from the Captain appears in the _Loyalist_ of the 12th of April, having reference to this trip. He replies to some strictures in the _Colonial Advocate_ on some alleged exclusiveness exhibited by Sir Peregrine while crossing the Lake in the _Canada_. ”Having observed in the _Colonial Advocate_ of the 3rd of April, under the head of Civilities, that His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor engaged the whole of the two cabins of the _Canada_ for himself and family, and would not allow even the Members of a.s.sembly who were returning home to go over that day, except as deck pa.s.sengers, I have to declare the same an impudent falsehood. His Excellency having condescended to intimate to me his desire to remove his family and household as early as possible, I hastened the equipment of the _Canada_ expressly on His Excellency's account, contrary to my intentions, and the requisite delay for outfit until 1st April. To all applications for pa.s.sage on the day fixed for His Excellency's embarkation I replied, I considered the vessel at His Excellency's orders. The moment His Excellency came on board, and understood that I was excluding pa.s.sengers, I received His Excellency's orders to take on board every pa.s.senger that wished to embark. The only further intimation I received of His Excellency's pleasure was, on my application to know if I should stop at Niagara, I received for answer that His Excellency had no desire to stop there, but if I wished it, it could make no difference to His Excellency. Born and bred under a Monarchical Government, educated in the discipline of a British seaman, I have not yet learned the insolence of elbowing a desire (in right, an order) of the Representative of my Sovereign, by an impertinent wish of my own. I have only to say that as long as I command the _Canada_, and have a rag of colour to hoist, my proudest day will be when it floats at her mast-head indicative of the presence and commands of the Representative of my King. Hugh Richardson, Master and Managing Owner of the _Canada_ Steam-Packet. April 11th, 1828. P.S. Perhaps Dr. Lefferty being a Member on the right side, who embarked on board the _Canada_, and who did me the honour of a call a night or two before, for information, may confirm this.”

Captain Richardson, as we can see, was a man of chivalrous temperament.

His outward physique, moreover, corresponded with his character. His form was lithe, graceful and officer-like. It was not alone when the Governor of the Province happened to be present that established distinctions in society were required to be observed on board the _Canada_ steam-packet. At all times he was particular on this point.

This brought him into collision occasionally with democratically disposed spirits, especially from the opposite side of the Lake; but he did not scruple to maintain his rules by main force when extreme measures were necessary, calling to his aid the stout arms of a trusty crew.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

x.x.xII.

THE HARBOUR: ITS MARINE 1828-1863.

The _Canada's_ advertis.e.m.e.nt for the season of 1828 appears in the _Loyalist_ of April 2. It differs a little from the one previously given. ”The British steam-packet _Canada_, Captain Hugh Richardson, plying between York and Niagara, weather permitting, leaves Niagara, &c., &c., as before. N.B.--A gun will be fired and colours hoisted twenty-five minutes before starting.”

It is interesting to observe that the traffic of the harbour carried on by schooners is still such as to require additional vessels of that cla.s.s. In the _Loyalist_ of April 19, 1828, the following item appears:--”A new schooner called the _Canadian_ was launched here (York) yesterday morning. She is owned by Mr. Gamble and Capt. Bowkett, the latter of whom, we understand, takes command of her.” From the same number of the _Loyalist_ we learn that ”the launch of Mr. Hamilton's new Steam Boat at Niagara was expected to take place on the 21st instant. In the paper of the 17th, the launch of another schooner at York is recorded. ”A fine schooner called _George the Fourth_ was launched here on Wednesday last. Burthen about 70 or 80 tons.” In June this schooner is bringing emigrants to York. ”During the last week,” the _Loyalist_ of June 7th says, ”several families of emigrants, arrived from Great Britain by the spring s.h.i.+pping at Quebec, have reached York. The new schooner _George the Fourth_ landed nearly one hundred persons, besides those which have been brought up by the steam-boats and other vessels.”

The case is then mentioned of the very reprehensible conduct of the master of one of the Lake schooners (the name is withheld), ”who, regardless of the consequences to several families who had taken pa.s.sage from Prescott to York on board his vessel, landed a body of emigrant settlers on Gibraltar Point, during the last week, instead of putting them, with their baggage, on one of the wharves in the Harbour--in consequence of which, women and helpless children were exposed during a whole night to the violence of a tremendous storm of rain, without any shelter, and, from ignorance of their situation, unable to get to the town. On Thursday morning the schooner _Catherine_, Captain Campbell, relieved them from their uncomfortable situation, and landed them safely in York.

In the _Loyalist_ of June 28, 1828, the arrival in York Harbour of the steamer lately launched at Niagara as successor to the _Frontenac_ is noticed. She is named the _Alciope_. ”The new steam-boat _Alciope_, lately built at Niagara, owned by Robert Hamilton, Esq., and under the command of Capt. McKenzie, late of the _Frontenac_, with a number of ladies and gentlemen on a party of pleasure, made her first entry into our Harbour on Thursday last. She is a fine model, and fitted up in a most elegant and convenient manner for pa.s.sengers. She commences her regular trips, we understand, next week: and under the command of Capt.

McKenzie, so well known for his skill and experience as a seaman, and for attention to his pa.s.sengers, we have no doubt the _Alciope_ will be found a valuable acquisition to the regular communication which is now afforded by means of the several steamboats plying on the Lake; and that she will receive a share of that public patronage which is so deservedly bestowed upon the owners and commanders of other boats, whose public spirited exertions are deserving of the highest praise.”

_Alciope_ is a singular name, taken as we suppose from the Greek mythology, betokening, it may have been thought, one of the Nereids, although we are not aware that the name occurs on the roll of that very large family. One of the several wives of the mighty Hercules was a daughter of Alciopus; she consequently may be conceived to have been an Alciope. But how Mr. Hamilton, of Queenston, or Captain McKenzie, came to think of such a recherche name for the new steamer is a mystery which we wish we could clear up. It is certain that the selection led to misp.r.o.nunciations and misconceptions on the part of the general public.

By the unlearned she was usually spoken of as the _Alci-ope_, of course.

By a kind of antagonism among the unwashed she was the _All-soap_. In a similar way, Captain McIntosh's vessel, the _Eunice_, which frequented the harbour at an early period, was almost always popularly and excusably termed the _Euneece_.

In the year 1828, Commodore Barrie was in York Harbour. ”His Majesty's schooner _c.o.c.kburn_,” says the _Loyalist_ of June 7, ”bearing the broad pennon of Commodore Barrie, entered this port on Monday last, and on landing at the Garrison, the Commodore was received by a salute, which was returned from the schooner. The yacht _Bullfrog_ was in company with the _c.o.c.kburn_. Commodore Barrie,” it is added, ”proceeds by land to Lake Simcoe, and thence on a tour of inspection at the several Naval Depots of the Lakes.”

In the _Loyalist_ of June 21, Capt. Richardson is taking time by the forelock and advertising for dry pine to be supplied as fuel for the _Canada_ in the following season of 1829. ”Steam-boat Notice. Persons willing to supply the _Canada_ Steam-packet with dry pine for the ensuing season of 1829, will please make application immediately to the subscriber for the contract. Hugh Richardson, Master and Managing Owner of the _Canada_ Steam-packet. York, June, 20, 1828.” On the 30th of August we have:--”Until further notice the _Canada_ Steam-packet will leave York as soon after her arrival as she has received her supply of wood, firing a gun, and hoisting colours half an hour before starting.”

We have also a notice in regard to the _Alciope_ in the _Loyalist_ of Sept. 6:--”The steam-boat _Alciope_ will take freight and pa.s.sengers from this port (York) during the remainder of the season, every Sat.u.r.day morning at 6 o'clock, on her way down from Niagara to Prescott, to commence to-morrow. York, 20th August.”

From the _Loyalist_ of Sept 27, 1828, we learn that Mr. George Savage has been appointed to the Collectors.h.i.+p of the port of York. He himself announces the fact to the public in the following advertis.e.m.e.nt:--”His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor having been pleased to appoint me to the Collectors.h.i.+p of Customs for this port, I beg leave to acquaint the merchants, s.h.i.+powners, and others having business to transact with this branch of the revenue after the first day of October next, that I have temporarily established an office in part of the premises fronting on Duke Street, occupied by Mr. Columbus. George Savage, Collector. York, 26th September, 1828.” Bulky in form and somewhat consequential in manner, Mr. Savage was a conspicuous figure in York down to the time of his death in 1835, when he was succeeded by Mr. Thos. Carfrae. Mr.

Savage was, as his office required him to be, vigilant in respect of the dues leviable at the Port of York. But the contrabandists were occasionally too adroit for him. We have heard of a number of kegs or barrels, supposed to contain spirits, confidentially reported to him as sunk in the depths of the bay, near one of the wharves, which kegs or barrels, when carefully fished up and conveyed to Mr. Mosley's rooms to be disposed of by auction, were found, on being tapped, to contain harmless water; but while Mr. Savage and his men were busily engaged in making this profitless seizure, the real wares--teas, spirits, and so on--which were sought to be illicitly introduced, were landed without molestation in Humber Bay. The practice of smuggling was, we believe, rather rife in and about the harbour of York in the olden time. In a _Gazette_ of 1820 (Nov. 30), we observe the schooner _Industry_ advertised for sale by the Custom House authorities as having been taken in the act; and on the 17th of October, 1821, Mr. Allan reports to the magistrates, at Quarter Sessions, that he had seized ten barrels of salt, in which were found concealed kegs of tobacco to the value of five pounds and upwards, brought to York from the United States in an American schooner, called the _New Haven_, A. Johnson, master. The Magistrates declared the whole forfeited to the ”King.” At the same time a system of illicit reciprocity was in vogue, and the products of Canada were introduced, or sought to be introduced, into the domain of the United States, sometimes in singular ways. On one occasion Daniel Lambert, a gigantic wax-figure, returned from Canada to the United States replete with articles designed for import without entry. The Albany _Argus_ of the day thus describes the adventure:--”Daniel Lambert turned smuggler.--This mammoth gentleman of wax, who is exhibited for the admiration of the curious in every part of the country, was lately met on his way from Canada by a Custom House officer, who, remarking the rotundity of Daniel's corporation, had the curiosity to subject it to a critical inspection; when, lo! instead of flesh and blood, or even straw, the entire fabric of this unwieldy gentleman was found to be composed of fine English cloths and kerseymeres.”

Towards the close of the year 1828 we have Capt. Mosier's marriage mentioned in a number of the _Loyalist_ (for Dec. 13), thus: ”Married at Prescott, on the 20th ult., Capt John Mosier, Master of the _Niagara_ Steam-packet, to Miss Caroline F. Munro, second daughter of Major Munro, of Edwardsburgh.”

In January, 1829, the schooner _George Canning_ was plying between York and Niagara, the weather being open. In the Niagara _Herald_ of Jan. 29, 1829, we have the notice, ”Conveyance to York, Upper Canada, by the fast-sailing schooner _George Canning_, commanded by Capt J. Whitney.

The public are respectfully informed that during the continuance of the present open season the above schooner will ply as a Packet between York and Niagara. From being perfectly new and thoroughly found, she is with confidence recommended as a safe and easy mode of conveyance to the capital of Upper Canada. For information in regard to time of departure, application to be made to Capt. Whitney on board, or at Chrysler's Inn, Niagara. January 22, 1829.” The _Loyalist_ of April 4 in this year, 1829, reports that ”the steamboat _Canada_ is ready to commence her trips to and from Niagara as soon as the ice is out of the bay. It has broken up a good deal,” the _Loyalist_ says, ”within the last few days, and from its appearance after the late rain we may hope that the navigation will soon be open. Schooners have been crossing the Lake for some time past. Last year the first steamboat from Kingston arrived here on the fifth of April.” The usual advertis.e.m.e.nt of the _Canada's_ movements for the season appears in this number of the _Loyalist_.

In May the steamer _Niagara_ brought up Bishop Macdonell. The _Loyalist_ of May 9, 1829, notes his arrival at York:--”The R. C. Bishop, the Rev.

Mr. Macdonell, arrived here in the steamboat _Niagara_ on Tuesday last, accompanied by the Rev. W. Macdonell.” It is added:--”The Rev. Messrs.

Fraser and Chisholm arrived on the Thursday following in the _Alciope_.”

In this month the _Queenston_ takes away troops from York. In the _Loyalist_ of May 16, 1829, the following item appears:--”The first division of the 68th Regiment, under the command of Capt. Macdonell, _en route_ to Montreal, left York on Tuesday last, on board the _Queenston_.

The _Alciope_, from Kingston, brings intelligence of their having arrived at that place on the following day.” The same paper reports that ”the steam-boats have some difficulty in getting into the Niagara River from the large quant.i.ties of ice pa.s.sing down from the Upper Lake.” And again in the same paper, under date of Niagara, May 11:--”The ice from Lake Erie has been running most of the last week, and continues to run to-day--so much so that the river, we believe, has not been pa.s.sable since nine o'clock this morning.”

A notice of the opening of navigation at Buffalo this year appears in the _Loyalist_ of May 23, copied from the Buffalo _Republican_ of the 16th of May. The scene is graphically depicted. ”The schooner _Eagle_,”