Print Specifics:
- Type of print: Steel engraving - Original antique print
- Year of printing: 1841
- Original artist / Engraver: W.H. Bartlett / Brandard
- Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co., London & Paris
- Condition: 1-2 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair). Few smudges & ligh brownish spots in blank margins.
- Dimensions:
8 x 10.5 inches, including blank margins (borders) around the image, image dimensions: ca 5 x 7 inches..
- Paper weight: 2 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin)
- Reverse side: Blank
Notes:
- Green color around the print in the photo is a contrasting background on which the print was photographed.
- 1 inch = 2,54 cm.
Original Narrative:
- In Kingston harbour, which is deep and well-sheltered,
there were at this time several large ships, and one, the St. Lawrence,
of 102 guns, which is said to have cost the enormous sum of 300,0001.
Some of these vessels were constructed in England, and sent to Quebec in
frame, whence they were transported to Kingston, at immense cost, on board
of such boats as have been already described. The carriage of the
Psyche frigate alone, from Quebec to Kingston, is said to have cost 12,000
l. What could induce government to build ships in England,
where timber is so dear, for the service of Canada ? The policy of
this " sending of coals to Newcastle" is a mystery which could not be solved
by the best informed men in the Canadas. A sufficient number of mechanics
to construct every ship necessary for the lake-service, might have been
sent out for one-fourth of the expense incurred by the bare transportation
of a single frigate from Quebec to Kingston. Lake Ontario, to which Kingston
serves as a kind of entrance, is in length 171 miles, in breadth 59, and
in circumference 467. The depth of the water varies very much, but
is seldom less than three, or more than 50 fathoms, although, in the centre
of the lake, soundings have been made with a line of 350 fathoms without
finding a bottom. It is often visited with violent storms, which
render its navigation peculiarly dangerous; and though none except experienced
seamen ought to be entrusted with the management of the craft which sail
upon its wide and deceitful bosom, yet many have obtained the command of
vessels who were utterly ignorant of the science of navigation.
The waters of this lake, as well as those of Lakes Erie,
Huron, and Superior, rise to an unusual height in every thirty-live years.
In 1816, Ontario was seven feet higher than it is known to have been for
upwards of thirty years before that time. Does not this form a very
interesting subject for the speculations of the natural philosopher ? While
the waters of these lakes never rise or fall more than eight or ten inches
above or below their usual height, excepting at these stated periods, what
cause can be assigned for the production of such a body of water as is
sufficient to effect this extraordinary change ? Between Kingston and York
there are two or three very small villages, the largest of which is Belleville,
containing at present about 150 inhabitants. York (Toronto) is the seat
of government for Upper Canada, and is situated on the north side of Lake
Ontario. Its harbour, which is a very extensive one, is formed by
a long narrow peninsula, commonly called Gibraltar Point. Though
it is the capital of an extensive colony, it would, as it stands at this
time, be considered in Europe but a village. Its defenceless situation,
which cannot be much improved, renders it of little importance in time
of war. It was captured by the Americans on the 27th of April, 1813.
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