Chapter I: 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

A CENTURY OF SAIL AND STEAM ON THE NIAGARA RIVER