Lake Ontario Maritime History

  (This is a collection of articles concerning the propeller St. Nicholas, built at Cape Vincent in 1853 for   Bancroft & Co. of Rome built by J. Andrews in 1853. Measurements were: 133.9” x 25’11” x 11’6” 372 tons. Lost off Sleeping Bear Bay, Lake Michigan, 23 Nov. 1857 with a cargo of 10,000 bushels of wheat.   Engine built by A. C. Powell, Syracuse. 24 x 36” stroke engine, 18 x 7’ boiler. Rome (N.Y.) Sentinel May 11, 1853 New Propeller on Lake Ontario    The propeller St. Nicholas was built by Mr. J. Andrews, of French Creek, and it is admitted on all hands that she is the finest model, and the best built propeller running on Lake Ontario. Her dimensions are as follows:        Extreme length ................... 145 ft.        Breadth of beam .................. 26 ft.        Depth of hold .................... 11 ft.        Tonnage about 400 tons, with store room for a...

  Oswego Commercial Times February 11, 1859 Early Navigation on Lake Ontario At the conclusion of the war of 1812, the numerous sail craft constructed for naval purposes were converted into a commercial marine, and immediately after the application of steam to navigation, which had already assumed importance on the Hudson, began to be applied to the lakes. In the fall of 1815, a grant was obtained from the executors of Robert Fulton and others, who held the right of steamboat navigation in the State by act of the Legislature, by parties for the privileges to navigate Lake Ontario by steam. It was stipulated that but one boa should be employed at a time on any one route, without the consent of the granters, and until the net proceeds of the one boat should exceed 20 per cent per annum. The granters paid $10 on the execution of the agreement and covenanted to pay annually—deducting $1500 from the gross receipts each year, and the expenses of the boat—one half received where it p...