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STATEMENT OF TBE PRINCIPAL CIRCUMSTANCES CONNECTED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT or TBB INE OF OCEAN STEAMERS BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND CANADA, AND THE SERVICE PEBFORMED FROM MAT, 1853, TO DECEMBER, 1881. L ' ^'^fS )l OCEAN STEAMERS. Statement of the principal circumstances connected with the establish- ment of the Line of Ocean Steamers between Liverpool and Canada, and the service performed from May, 1853, to Decem- ber, 1854. \'^j\ So much misapprehension has been created in one waj and another in both Houses of the Legislature and the country generally, as to the steam service between Liverpool and Quebec, that I think it due to the importance of tiie subject, to the large commercial and trading interests of Canada, and also to the Canadian Steam Navigation Company, as well ai necessary for the true understanding of the subject by the members of Parliament, to submit a plain narrative of the whole matter up to this time along with copies of such documents as have a relative bearing on the subject : In reply to a public advertisement, my firm, in Liverpool, AdvertiM- on 11th June, 1852, made a tender to the Government ©f "*""'"» *•■" Canada to perform a steam service between Liverpool and the St. Lawrence during summer, and between Liverpool and Portland in winter. The tender offers " to commence Tendtr. *' a monthly service within twelve months from date of signing " contract, and a fortnightly service ten months aff^r notice has " been given to the contractors." The tender was accepted in coatrMt substance by the Government, and uur Agent in Quebec signed founded w a contract on the 13th day of August, 1852, intended to em- body the terms of our tender so accepted. We had offered to perform the service for an annual subsidy of £24,000, this sura was agreed to by the Government, but as the City of Port- land and the Railway Companies interested would derive large advantage from the establishment of steam communication, the Government required that £5,000 of the subsidy should be paid by them. To the contractors it was matter of indifference Drfayinthe by whom the subsidy was paid, but this circumstance compli- «ompleti«a of cated the contract by rendering necessary the sanction of the Canadian Legislature foit that portion of the subsidy to be paid by the Canadian Government, and the sanction of the Le- \ 171)04 gislatnre of the Statr of Maine, for that portion of the subtidy j)ayal)le by the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railway Company : the first of those Legi^ilalivc ratifications was ol>taincd in Oontrtctnot November, 1852, and the other in March, 1853, thns the con- •oniplotcd uu- ' til March, tract Was not concluded until nearly eight months alter it was ^^^^- originated. On referring to the contract, it will be found that the contractors were entitled to a period of at least nine months, viz : from date of conlract, 13tli August, 1852, to May 1853, to prepare for a monthly service, and of twenty-one months for a forlnighlly service, that is — twelve mt)nth8 from the commencement of the monthly service. The contract as has been seen, not having been consummated until March, 1853 — a period of seven months, that it was contemplated should b« Injarious rc- devoted to preparation for the service, was rendered abortive, •nits from do- jf^,. -^yas this the only unfortunate result to the contractors aris- tion of Cou- ing from the delay, for a demand for steam v(>s,-els had in the in- k»ct. terim sprung up in England, which not only had ihe efiect of raising the price to a very serious extent, but of preventing contracts for new vessels being entered inlo by builders for delivery in less than 18 to 24 months. These two facts must in justice and fairne.-s 1)e kept steadily in view in considering the service |)ciiormed uj) to this time, for it will surely be admitted that before theeonlraelorscan be in justice or reason held equitably or legally boiTnd to the literal terms of the covenant, the full time for preparation con- ditioned for in the contract must be accorded. This being ad- mitted, it follows as a matter of course, that the contractors boiind to com- were not bound to commence a monthly service until the win- "»«°c B . ^^^ ^j. jg^g^ Qj. jjjjjjj. fortnightly service until the opening of tht St. Lawrence in the present year. Apologizing for the length of these prefatory exphmations, I proceed to state, that the Government of Canada were '^nxious for a commencement ofthe steam service to te^t tlie capabilities Commence- of the route via the St. Lawrence toEngland; and the Contractors, ment of apro- Iicly representing that they had undertaken to do what they could not individually carry out; but 1 was not prepared to find this gravely re-echoed by the Bureau of Public Works. The Contractors never pretended to say, or by any it> direct means to convey the impression, that they were to carry out the Contract of their own means — and it would equally be a reflection upon their honor, as it would be an insult to the well- known commercial prudence and sagacity of the Hon. John Young, then Chief Commissioner of Public Works, who acted on behalf of the GovernraenI, to suppose any such pretensions were put forward, and a Contract entered into on the stiength of them. It would be enough to point lo the universal practice of contracts Rcsponiibility ofCuuipauy. Misunder- Btanding as to nctiou of tli« oiiginal Cou- tractors in assouiating Cupitalista. Misrcpresto- tation by in- tcrt'sttid par- ties, ibc. 6 Conlraot«-r« onlj nottid in tli« luual wuy. Oovornmcnt of Caiinda cooiirm this action (if the Contractors. Seterity of . ipringof 1854 and conse- quent disas- ters to tlie •teamcra. Kxertions of Company to uaintaia the fi>r nxH'.h lar!;c untk'rlaklii^'s bi'ing, in llic aJjsciicc* of cliarlorcd conipiinics, tiikrn in tlii; iiatno of individuals o' u mis, to shew tiiat llic Contractors only acted in iIh; nsnai way, as llic ini'diuMi through which thcirown and tthcr's means \v<'r(5 to b(! hronghl to hear ii|)on the purposes of the Contract. Take, for example, the case of the "Curard" and "Collin's " lines of steam- ers — they are known by the names of the respective continctors, but few reasoningmen will imagine that their capital alone was invested in the undertaking, or that they were treated with on any such a supposition. If more were wanted on this point, fortunately tangible proof i» given of the original understanding of the contracting parties, by the action of the Legislature of Canada in reference to this very point, viz : in the passing an Act, IG Vic. cap. 131, incorporating a Company "for the purposes fa(:lory lo flu; Covurninent in Ollicc and availvd of by thnn on every orcusion, but which proved u serious loss lo the liOid to Con- Coniraclors. The (iovcrniricnt subsidy (or \H')3 will not cover the ainoiuit lost by the Contradors duriiif,' that year, by many thousand pounds sturliig. To show that a provisional service of (his sort is no cxcep- •orvico 111 .Hiioli |j,,|,j,| cjise, I tali«' occasion to mention that ihe sicarncrs •M«» uiual. , employed were lar^'iT than those that carried out the Mail Service between (ireat Britain and the Cape of Good Hope for a considerable time at the cominencemeut ; and were it worth while occupying time, it would be very easy for me to prove that the size and power of some of the vessela Fast poBSJiKos employed are erroneously stated in the Ueport. During this in I8{);i, not service, what the Government of the time were anxious to inlit'poit. "^^'' tested, was proved to their satislaction, viz., that the route via the St. Lawrence to England could eoinpete success- fully, in point of time, with any other from the Continent of America, by the fact that two or three of the fat lest passages across the Atlantic on record were made by the steamers em- ployed — the vessels, on each occasion, carrying the latest in- telligence to both Continents. These facts were patent to all, and in the pro|)er and fair dischaige of ollieial duty ought to have been known and slated. The next item of oftencc stated in the Report, is that thar Contractors " ecjually failed in the service to Portland during " the Winters of 1853-'4." It is more than enough, in reply to this, keeping in view the time lost for prc^paration, already explained, to say that the full number of winter trips stipulated for in the Contract, viz. five, were performed by the steamers *'0//a/«rt," ^'■Charity,^^ and ^'■Sarah Sands'^ — this charge there- fore is an inaccuracy which there are just grounds to complain of. TJnfairnesB of ■'^ correct idea may be formed of the unfairness of the the Kepoit, Report by the facts connected with the next charge put forward, as follows — viz. : that " the Contractors, as will be " seen by their tidvertisernents in the several newspapers, de- " mand 80s. per ton freight, instead of 00s., as specilied in *' the Contract." The Report, as already stated, professes to be made u\) only to June — at which time, any one may very easily satisfy himself that no such advertisement can lie found in any newspaper. It is true that at a later period of the season, when a general heavy rise had taken place In all Next eora- plaiut in lie port, nnd re- ply tlieitto. 9 the u-nt by the not •,by tep- ners the iood were for shcIb this >us to It the CCCS8- ent of steam frciiOitH and vvhon the Undorwritors rnl«od tho rntc of insJiriiiicf, iniii Wfi^cs, and cost of corils, utoros, provisions, &c., had ri""nctte(t " pool on the 25th April, did not arrive at Quebec at all," These are termed " violations of the contract," and proof is offentd of the violation, by stating that a sailing vessel arrived at Quebec " as early as the 10th May," and that " when the " Clcopalru came into port she found 50 sail already at anchor " before her," and it is stated that " the /'""tmct . iT-i- »-,• with Aumir- reason to require additional assistance. For instance, in the ulty <>f Eng- last contract with the Cuiiard Company, there is a clause, er'euseilallow- " That an additional allowance within certain limits is to be imee, if ueces- " made to the Contractors, in the event of an increase in the '**"^' " rate of Insurance of steam vessels, or in the freight or insur- " ancc of coals, as compared with the rates payable at the date " of contract, if proved to the satisfaction of the Lords Commis- (C sioners of the Admiraltv." V " In the contract with the Canadian Government, there is Absence of this clause con- unfortunately, no such condition, but the contractors respect- cJui^jf^u fully submit for the favourable consideration of the Govern- tiwt, and ment, the following drawbacks or disadvantages that practical ^^^kl ^^ experience has shown them to attach to this service." " I. The peculiarily of the Si. Lawrence, in its sea, river and ^^^^.^^ Ix^mx- lake navigation, wilh the uncertainty of the seasons, and the auce on yes- pauoity of lights in the Straits, have the cflcct of enhancing tL^s™Law- Ihe premium of insurance on vessels trading to Ihe St. Law- lenee— will ' . r^ y . , . . , cost Ciinadian rence to a serious extent. On the property in shipping and sieam Com- coals, &c., that the Canadian Steam Navigation Company will P'l'iy-^'O-OOO ' ' o I J perauuuin. have at risk next season, — the extra premium thus occasioned will amount to no less a sumthan£10,300, sterling per annum, and since the date of the contract, a very large rise has taken place, not only in the first cost of steam ships, but in the sail- ing expenses — in wages, in the price of coals, oil, tallow, provisions, and all descriptions of stores." " II. The Cunard Company subsidized by the British Govern- Comparative ment to the amount of £3,333 10s. per voyage, or lis. 4 J- per J^f;',;^' mile, and the Collins Company, subsidized by the American " Cunard'' Government, to the amount of £6,538 10s. per voyage, or 22s. .< camulTaa"" per mile, reduced their rates of freight and passage, to com- Companies, pete wilh the ' Canadian Steam Navigation Company,' and having a less hazardous voyage, and consequent lower rate of premium of insurance on both vessels and cargo, are too powerful opponents for the Canadian Steam Navigation Com- commission- pany, who only receive, under the contract, an allowance of eis state the £1,333 sterling, per voyage, or 4s. 6d. per mile. This fact is "ai'i^Ssid^ very justly and clearly recognised by the Commissioners of Public Works Report on the Ocean Steamers, 1853-4." 16 Want of Freeent amount of subsidy, too email fur im- proved ler- vice by larg* vessels. The benefits of an exten- sion of ser- vice. As to increase of service. " III. There is an entire absence of wharf and warehouse accommodation at Quebec, involving the exposure and dam- age to cargo, at ship's risk, as well as occasioning many other practical inconveniences, attended with a heavy money loss-" " For these, and other less important reasons, with which the Contractors do not think it nci^essary to trouble the Go- vernment, it is respectfully submitted that there are equitable claims on the Government, for a liberal consideration, and mo- difications of the contract, for it must be evident to the Govern- ment that the present subsidy is far too small for the manner in which the Company are prepared to carry out the service, from the opening of the navigation of 1855, which it is confi- dently asserted, will bear a favourable comparison with that existing between England and the United States of America. " In regard to an extension of the present service, as recom- mended in your Report, I coincide in the opinions there expressed, as to the ultimate effect, that a weekly line of steamers is calculated to have in drawing to the St. Lawrence, a large amount of traffic that is now forwarded by the other routes, and also believe, that under the operation of the Reci- procity Treaty, trade will gradually be transferred from other quarters, to the banks of the St. Lawrence, if to this new sii- mulant is added, proper outlets to European markets. In fact, that without the line of Ocean Steamers, on an effective foot- ing — the great natural advantages of the basin of the St. Law- rence, and upper lakes, the benefits of the magnificent sys- tem of railways, now in progress — and the results of the recent Commercial Treaty with the United States, cannot be se- cured. " While thus appreciating the suggestions of the Commis- missioners of Public Works, I take leave respectfully to recom- mend that the frequency of the service be gradually increased, as the growing trade of the colony requires — the Government thus meeting there quirements of the country as they may arise, always keeping a little in advance of actual circums- tances, so as to foster and encourage progress. " I trust that the Government will be convinced by the state- ments now submitted to you, that, for an efficient steam ser- vice, a larger subsidy is required, and I have come out from England for the express purpose of meeting the Canadian Government, in a spirit of fairness, upon this main point, and likewise upon some other comparatively unimportant modifi- cations of the existing contract. XT " If the Government is prepared to admit of such modifica- tions, I shall be happy to specify the particulars, and wherein they should take place. " May I crave the favour of your submitting the present tJrgeneyofaa Communication to the Members of Government at their and immediaU dcciuon. your earliest possible convenience, as the advanced period of the season, and business considerations, render an immediate arrangement of and decision on, all matters connected with the subject, of pressing necessity." Considering the small amount of subsidy paid by the Cana- Concluding re- dian Government, it is manifestly unfair to contrast or compare the service with that of the " Cunard" or " Collins* " line, al- though misinformed persons have, inconsiderately, taken up this view and founded hostile remarks thereon. It would, indeed, be matter of surprise if the present Contractojs, with a subsidy of 4s. 6d. per mile, could establish a steam communication which would bear comparison with one that is subsidized to the extent of lis. per mile, or another receiving 22s. per mile. In making this simple narrative of the circumstances connected with the steam service, I have fjund a most painful but unavoidable necessity imposed upon me of shewing how much the Report and views of the Hon. Commissioners of Public Works are founded in error, but this has been rendered necessary in order to correct the erroneous impressions created thereby in the public mind, to the prejudice of the Canadian Steam Navigation Com- pany. In the course of my remarks, I have had much regret in having to point to the disingenuous character of the Statements put forward by the Honorable Commissioners. The matter in hand is a commercial one, entered into be- tween business men in a business spirit, and in that spirit alone I can consent to look at and discuss it, for it would be derogatory to the honor of the Government of Canada and the high respectability of the Company I have the honor to re- present, to descend, to special pleading, a course which in com- mercial circles is justly considered as damaging and unworthy. It would be presumptous in me, where others must be much better informed, to dwell upon the importance to this splendid Colony, commercially and politically, of a rapid, and frequent arterial communication with England. I must confess that there is an intense desire on my part to see the Steam Com- munication with Canada, which was commenced by my firm, put upon a solid and permanent footing. I know that the Gov- ernment are duly impressed with the magnitude of the subject, and 1, therefore, conclude my remarks by respectfully express- ing my conviction that the Government of Canada will take a liberal and considerate view of the question, and extend due 1 i IS protection to the large amount of property that has been called into existence for the purpose of permanently carrying out a very large undertaking entered into solely on the faith of a covenant made with them. ROBERT LAMONT, ■ of Liverpool. Swords' Hotel, Quebec, February, 1855. i^r 1 tiled ut a of a ool. r 19 APPENDIOE No. 1. S. S. Cleopatba, at Set, 1st May, 1864. We, the undersigned Sliip Masters, passengers ])or S. S. Cleopatra, do hereby certify that in uU our experience during the number of veiirB wo huTo been trading to the ports of Quubcc uud Muutreul, wo have never seen such quantities of liuavy ice, nor seuu it so firm, nor of such an extent, as wo have seen it during the lost few days in this vessel Having sailed 360 miles along the edges of said ice, during which time every possiblo exertion was made by our Commander, Captain Salt, to Hnd a passage through the ice into the Qidf of 8t. Lawrence, but all to no purpose, owing to the extent and firmness of the ice. We found closely packed ice extending from the Newfoundland shore, at the St. George's Bay, to the eastward of St. Paul's, and extending fi-om thence along the Cape Breton shore to lat. 46, 10 N., and Ion. 69, 30 W., and from thence to lat. 46, 10 N., and Ion. 58, 00 W., and we are of opinion that there will bo no passage through the said ioe into the Gulf of the St Lawrence for the next fourteen days. (Signed,) JAS. JACKSON, Commanding ships in the Quebec trade for the lost 8 years. EDWAUP O'FLAHEUTY, 6 " GEORGE DALTON, 6 " DAVID DOADYS, 30 " JOHN DONAHUE. 8 " APPENDIX No. a. Robert Lauont, Esq. Quebec, tth Feb. 1855. Deab Sir, — I have been in the habit of crossing and re-crossing the Atlantic very often for the last fifty years, and with the exception of 1847, when passenger on boord the ship Al- bion of Greenock, when we were fust in tne ice, 47 days, never experienced such a quantity of ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as lasts]>ring when I came out passenger by the Steamer Ottawa Capt. Atkins. We left Liverpool on the 26th April, experienced some bad weather ; but on the whole made an excellent run, until we fell in with the ice. Capt Atkins, and his Officers, did oil that men could do to force the steamer through, but is was impossible, owing to the quantity of ice, to do bo without endangering the loss of the ship and all on board. Getting short of water and coal, Capt. Atkius steered for Sidney, 0. B., and after being supplied with both, a schooner reported the Out of Canso to be cle.ired of ice. We endeavoured to find a passage to Quebec by that route, but again meeting with ice, and a dense fog coming on, Capt. Atkins determined to put in to Portland, U . S . , and in my opinion was perfectly justified m so doing. I entertain a high opinion of Capt. Atkins, his officers and crew of last spring, and I am eatiafied they did their duty, both to owners and passengers. Before steering for Portland, we again tried to find a passage through the ice, but aeciug ice in all directions I think it would have been madness on the part of Capt. Atkius to have persevered any longer. I have to honor to be, Your obedient servant, ANDREW PATERSON, (.4. Patenon, Young & Co.) APPENDIX No. 3. {From the Liverpool Journal of Haturday, October 14, 1854.) HOW EMIGRANTS SHOULD BE TREATED. The steerage passengers on board the mail screw steamer Cleopatra, on her last outward pas- sage to Canada, presented the following address to her captain and officers, which is not only personally complimentary, but also contains most valuable suggestions as to the general treat- ment of third class passengers on boai-d all vessels. Believing it will be of much benefit to the great mass of emigrants, we have sincere pleasure in printing it in full : TO THE CAPTAIN AND OTUEtt OFFICERS OF THE SCREW STEAMSHIP CLEOPATRA. We, the undersigned third class passengers on board of the Canadian Steam Navigation Com- pany's screw steam-ship " Cleopatra," respectfully tender our th.anks to Captain Salt, for the good trcatuieut which we have received during our voyage from Liverpool to Quebec. We also thank other officers of tl'.e ship with, whimi we hnxc been necessarily in daily communication . for the uiiiform civiUty which we have experienced at their hands. ft I 20 :( Ar regards tho fitting up of this Mp we deiire to exprcM our opinion, that the rentilation of the steerage leaves notniug to ho desired, and that the nxing of water closets l)ctwecn decks for fonialus, as is tho case in this ship, is must desirable in all possonger ships, it being tho special duty of some one careful person Hpp«>intcd for the purpose to inspect and keep in order suoh closets, and also those on the upper deck, at regular and frequent intervals. We have great satisfaction iti stating that we liave been regularly and abundantly supplied throughout tbo voyage with all the items of provisions stipulated fur by us in our cuutraot tickets. For the sake of future steerage passengers between Europe and America, whether in steam or sailing vessels, wo wish to express our opinion as to some desirable improvements, but not in a spirit uf complaint, fur we are not aware that there is any other line uf passenger sjiips iu which passengers ]>ttving the same or a loss price than we liave paid, viz., £8 8b. per heaa, are better accommodate J in anv of the following respects than we have been in this ship :— 1. We think it desirable that, particularly during the first few duvs of tho voyage, special at« tention should bo paid to tho supplv of gruel or arrowroot to sucti passengers as are sick and unable to relish or touch the usuuf Hliip's provisions ; we also suggest us au improvement on the medical attendance in ttiis ship, thut it should be recognised us a part of tho duty of the surgeon of the ship to see that sea-sick passengers be thus attended to ; and wo further suggest that every passenger should be supphed morning and evening, at his or her own choice, with either ready made tea or coffee, or with the means of preparing their own tea or coffee, instead of being dependant for the latter on the capricious goodwill of the ship's cook. 2. Certain of the provisions served out to us have given full satisfaction, such as potatoes, fresh bread, salt fish, and flour pudding, whereas scarcely any of us partake of the porridge, which no doubt can scarcely be prepared satisfactorily in large quantities on board snip, or of the rice, or tho salt beef and pork ; luid we suggest the occasional substitution of some other ar- ticles for some of these, such, for instance, as barley broth, or corned beef, or more bread. 8. We suggest that such portion of the steerage as is set apart for females should be se- parated from the rest during the night and earnr morning by a curtain or other partition, so as to secure privacy, and that tho sleepiog berths should be fixed in sets along, rather than across the ship, with a narrow passage between each two sets so as to insure greater comfort when the ship rolls heavily in stormy weather, and so as to provide for privacy in dressing by means of hanging up some article in front of the above passages ; while we presume that there would be no corresponding disadvantage either to toe Oompany or to the passengen, whether in the expense of fitting up, or otherwise. 4. We consider that, as it is Taw and the practice in passenger Bailing vessels, bo also in third-class passenger steamers, passengers ougut not to be deprived of their contract tickets, which are among their principal moans of obtiiining redress in cases of ill treatment, the coun* terparts only of said tickets containing, we ]>re8ume, all the information of the ofiScers or other authorities connected with the ship. finally. — Wo desire to express our thanks to the chief steward, Mr. James M'Oubbin, for his studious attention to our comfort, and more specially to the steerage passengers' steward, Mr. Edward Hoskins, whom we have invariably found most ready and obliging in giving im- mediate attention, to the best of his ability, to the calls and wonts of every passeugei-. Datedonbo""" "'■■"^" '^' '-' --■'»----— "■^ ^ __ .^i^ #xL.«»Lr, x 1864. SIGNATURES: vix iu« «)veuiu({ ui uia vui oepi. | j • VERB FOSTER, Rebecca Morris, John CuUen, Rosa Morris, Ooorge Batty, S. Russell, J. Joes, Thos. P. Mowitt, Jos. Nickords, William Ooldwell, F. E. Browne, Morgan Ooldwell, L. F. Joes, Mrs. Foster, John Mowitl, Mrs. Glagher, David White, Mrs. Hancoz, Mary Woods, Ann Blake, Elizabeth Marehall, Esther Smith, Eliza Brown, Geo. Old, Elizabeth Hasting, Harriet Olds, Henry Parsons, Geo. Ford, Ann Russell, Martha Ford, Jessy Hewlett, W. H. Beresford, Thos. Nosworthy, Martha Nosworthy, Wm. Rutherford Mowitt, George Russell, L. M'Donogh, Bridget M'Donogh, Captain Grenier, Margaret Mowitt, Honore Temelio, Mary Russell, F. G. Temelin, Elizabeth M. Russell. * l%i» gentleman is well knoien both in England & Canada for his philanthropic ezsrtioni in the caute of poor emigrantt, whose accommodation he always shares on board ship in order to test by personal experience, the treatment they receive. 1