The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River, by Barlow Cumberland This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: A Century of Sail and Steam on the Niagara River Author: Barlow Cumberland Release Date: January 10, 2012 [EBook #38542] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAIL, STEAM ON NIAGARA RIVER *** Produced by Charlene Taylor, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries.) Barlow Cumberland 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 [Pg v] [Pg vi] [Pg vii] 9 Chap. II.—The First Steamboats on the River and Lake Ontario Chap. III.—More Steamboats and Early Water Routes. The River the Centre of Through Travel East and West. Chap. IV.—Expansion and Decline of Traffic on the River. A Final Flash, and a Move to the North Chap. V.—On the Upper Lakes With the Wolseley Expedition and Lord Dufferin Chap. VI.—A Novel Idea and a New Venture. Buffalo in Sailing Ship Days. A Risky Passage Chap. VII.—Down Through the Welland. The Miseries of Horse-towing Times. Port Dalhousie and a Lake Veteran. The Problem Solved. Toronto at Last Chap. VIII.—The Niagara Portal. Old Times and Old Names at Newark and Niagara. A Winter of Changes. A New Rivalry Begun Chap. IX.—The First Season of The Niagara Navigation Company. A Hot Competition. Steamboat Manoeuvres Chap. X.—Change Partners Rate-cutting and Racing. Hanlan and Toronto Waterside. Passenger Limitation Introduced Chap. XI.—Niagara Camps Formed. More Changes and Competition. Beginnings of Railroads in New York State. Early Passenger Men and Ways Chap. XII.—First Railways to Lewiston. Expansion Required. The Renown of the Let-Her-B. A Critic of Plimsoll 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 Chap. XIV.—Running the Blockade on the Let-Her-B. as Told by Her Captain-owner Chap. XV.—The Canadian Electric Railway to Queenston. An Old Portage Route Revived. The Trek to the Western States. Chippewa Arrives. Railway Chief 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. 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" 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 17 25 36 47 58 68 80 94 109 119 134 143 156 165 178 189 [Pg ix] 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 [Pg x] 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 [Pg xi] 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 83 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 [Pg xii] 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 [Pg xiii] 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 [Pg xiv]