51 



the spirit of the scene ; — observe the steamer with one or 

 more ■windbound vessels in tow ? " She walks the waters 

 like a thing of life," and in the course of from 40 to 60 

 hours, her destination is gained, and the cry is heard in 

 the harbor of Quebec : Let go the anchor ! Where would 

 this vessel or these vessels have been, had she not the aid 

 of the Tug? — Perhaps a wreck! or if not, either in the 

 Gulf still windbouud, or else beating about in the river. 

 A week is saved at the least, all risk over, and 'the vessel 

 is being discharged, in safety in the harbour. I leave the 

 calculation of the gain, to those interested in the subject : 

 the owners and underwriters of the vessels, I would 

 only instance the " Tchernaya ;" by the use of these boats, 

 this vessel and cargo were saved, covering possibly twenty 

 or thirty thousand pounds, or more. It only remains for 

 Mr. Baby to make the rates of towage as low as he con- 

 sistently can ; and he will soon -have occasion to build 

 more boats. Light houses, beacons and steam tugs, have 

 lessened the risks of the river, at least 75 per cent., and 

 the necessary result will be, a great reduction in the rates 

 of insurance. Since writing the above I have been inform- 

 ed by Mr. Baby, M. P. P., that another, and a larger Iron 

 Steam Tug is being built; and that she will be on this 

 side of the Atlantic in the month of June. 



A further proof of the desire of the Government and 

 the people, that " progress should be the order of the day" 

 is to be seen, in their having subsidized a line of " Ocean 

 Steamers," the " Montbeal Ocean Steamship Company." 

 These boats are admirably fitted np, and most deservedly 

 popular. The owners spare no expense, in conducing to 

 the comforts of the passengers; and to show how highly 



c2 



