From River to Sea 49 



also building a vessel to cross the " herring 

 pond ". Determined to be the pioneer 

 on the Atlantic the " British Queen " 

 company chartered the Sirius, a vessel 

 resembling the Royal William in general 

 dimensions, but possessing nearly double 

 the horse-power of the Canadian ship. 



The Sirius -was never intended for a 

 long ocean voyage, having been built for 

 trading between London and Cork. When 

 it was proposed that she should attempt 

 such a voyage, and at such short notice 

 there arose certain difficulties with the 

 crew, and after her sailing, on April 4, 

 1838, there was still more trouble. Like 

 the crew of Columbus, many of them 

 were on the point of mutiny and desired 

 the captain to turn back. But their plead- 

 ing did not move the tough naval officer, 

 Lieut. Roberts, who had behind him the 

 training and tradition of the British Navy. 

 Of what use to tell such a man that the 

 voyage would never come to an end- 

 save at the bottom of the ocean when 



