'City of Kingston' steam launch
The 'City of Kingston' was, in 1879, the first steam vessel constructed in Kingston Harbour; there do not seem to be any pictures of it, and there is no reference to it as either a paddle-wheel or screw-propeller vessel, but it would probably have looked something like one of the steam launches shown below - paddle on the left, screw on the right.
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Daily Gleaner, January 25, 1879
'THE CITY OF KINGSTON.'
On Thursday, the 23rd instant, on the interesting occasion of the launch of the first steam boat ever constructed in this port, a number of residents visited the wharf of Messrs. Verley & Robinson to witness the operation. Amongst them were Dr. Hugh Croskery, chairman, and Mr. Ford, a director of the new Steamship Company, Captain Lowe, of the Atlas Steamship Company, Dr. Izett Anderson, the Rev. the Rector, Messrs. Verley, Adamson, Desnoes, Robinson, West, etc., etc. Dr. Croskery's family were also present together with Mrs. Verley and her daughters, one of whom (Miss Jessy) performed the ceremony of christening the vessel. The City of Kingston has been designed by Mr. A. C. Walker for goods and passenger traffic on the coast. Her length is forty five feet, and her breadth of beam eight. Some little delay took place before she finally left the stocks, owing to the warping of the "ways,'' but when she was got off, it became evident from the manner in which she floated that, even with her engines and cargo on board and the cabin accommodation with which she will be fitted, her draught of water will be so small as to admirably suit the purpose for which she was specially intended. The building appears to have been very thoroughly executed, and the engines — a well-finished and neatly designed bit of work, made on the inverted cylinder principle and capable of working up to 40 h. p. -- were also constructed in Kingston.
After the usual cheers and libations to the prosperity of the City of Kingston, and the health of Mr. Walker, proposed by Mr. West, had been duly honored by the visitors Mr. James Gall proposed the health of the Pioneers of ship building in this city; and referring to the past history of the firm which constructed the steamer, mentioned that many years back a young Scotchman, who had come to this country, found it very difficult to obtain employment. At last he went to a firm in Port Royal Street, the proprietors of which were the proprietors of the present Mills and also of the Steam Bakery. He told them that salary was no special object with him, he only wanted a footing. He obtained that footing, worked his way up and his firm became Atkinson & Macgregor, and eventually Verley & Robinson, who in connection with Mr. Walker, had now set an excellent example to others of what native enterprise could effect. Associated with the names of these gentlemen in the toast he would couple those of Mr. McMurray and Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Robinson, in acknowledging the toast; observed that, when in conjunction
with Mr. Verley he entered upon those works, they began at the foot of the ladder. It was a bold attempt; for they had no money. In that respect they were like Mr. Macgregor, and they also resembled him in wanting a footing and in the determination to obtain one. After a time they succeeded in getting it and could now flatter themselves on getting nearer the top of the ladder; but would always endeavour to lend a helping hand to those others who might be endeavouring to begin the ascent at the foot. When Mr. Walker found himself in a like difficulty they had much pleasure in at once coming to his rescue, and by placing their establishment at his disposal enabled him to successfully complete the work which he proposed and launch the City of Kingston.
Mr. McMurray briefly responded, observing that his connection with the construction of the first steam engine, and the first steam boat ever launched in this city, would ever be a source of pride to him.
Mr. James Verley complimented Mr. Lazarus on the wonderful success which he had achieved in the construction of the engines, which were then before those present.
In replying, Mr. Lazarus stated that it was the first time on which he had seen a steam boat launched. He bore witness to the difficulties which Mr. Walker had encountered in the execution of his project, and the energy he had displayed in surmounting them. More than that, the work was well done, and he looked upon it as a stepping stone to greater things. It showed young people who were apt to believe that such work could only be done in England, where there was every advantage in the way of tools and workshop appliances, the work could be done in Jamaica. It was the workman who made the tools and not the tools the man, and energy and resolution alone had resulted in the production of that gigantic work in what was almost a slaughter house. (Laughter) He only wished that every mechanic in the country was present to witness that example of what might be done, and have aroused in him the germs of a noble emulation. The reason Jamaicans were not prospering was that they were surrounded by people who were too indolent. Until these learned to labour and to wait, they could never take their stand as a people. He trusted that the Directors of the new Steamship Company would come forward and purchase the boat as soon as her steaming qualities had been fairly tested. This much he knew; they could not get better work and in doing so they would bestow on those who had accomplished that work, the reward which sweetens labour.
Mr. Gall related an instance, on the authority of the late Captain Cooper, in which the superiority of some careful Jamaican work to that of horn workmen had been demonstrated. An accident having befallen the machinery of hi» ship, Mr. Lazarus was consulted, remedied the defect, and the vessel returned in safety. At Glasgow the work of the West Indies was discarded and replaced by a new piece which failed on the voyage out, when the rejected portion was again replaced, doing its work well until the ship again returned to Glasgow where it was again discarded, to again have to replace a second home construction. Since then the owners had concluded to let well alone, and the despised piece of machinery was in use, he believed, to the present day.
The toasts of the ''Ladies" and " the Press" concluded the proceedings.
[We hear that there is every probability that the Directors of the new Company will acquire this little vessel as the first of their fleet, and we certainly consider that such wise encouragement of local skill and industry would have a most beneficial effect upon the development of our latent possibilities. - EDITOR]
'THE CITY OF KINGSTON.'
On Thursday, the 23rd instant, on the interesting occasion of the launch of the first steam boat ever constructed in this port, a number of residents visited the wharf of Messrs. Verley & Robinson to witness the operation. Amongst them were Dr. Hugh Croskery, chairman, and Mr. Ford, a director of the new Steamship Company, Captain Lowe, of the Atlas Steamship Company, Dr. Izett Anderson, the Rev. the Rector, Messrs. Verley, Adamson, Desnoes, Robinson, West, etc., etc. Dr. Croskery's family were also present together with Mrs. Verley and her daughters, one of whom (Miss Jessy) performed the ceremony of christening the vessel. The City of Kingston has been designed by Mr. A. C. Walker for goods and passenger traffic on the coast. Her length is forty five feet, and her breadth of beam eight. Some little delay took place before she finally left the stocks, owing to the warping of the "ways,'' but when she was got off, it became evident from the manner in which she floated that, even with her engines and cargo on board and the cabin accommodation with which she will be fitted, her draught of water will be so small as to admirably suit the purpose for which she was specially intended. The building appears to have been very thoroughly executed, and the engines — a well-finished and neatly designed bit of work, made on the inverted cylinder principle and capable of working up to 40 h. p. -- were also constructed in Kingston.
After the usual cheers and libations to the prosperity of the City of Kingston, and the health of Mr. Walker, proposed by Mr. West, had been duly honored by the visitors Mr. James Gall proposed the health of the Pioneers of ship building in this city; and referring to the past history of the firm which constructed the steamer, mentioned that many years back a young Scotchman, who had come to this country, found it very difficult to obtain employment. At last he went to a firm in Port Royal Street, the proprietors of which were the proprietors of the present Mills and also of the Steam Bakery. He told them that salary was no special object with him, he only wanted a footing. He obtained that footing, worked his way up and his firm became Atkinson & Macgregor, and eventually Verley & Robinson, who in connection with Mr. Walker, had now set an excellent example to others of what native enterprise could effect. Associated with the names of these gentlemen in the toast he would couple those of Mr. McMurray and Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Robinson, in acknowledging the toast; observed that, when in conjunction
with Mr. Verley he entered upon those works, they began at the foot of the ladder. It was a bold attempt; for they had no money. In that respect they were like Mr. Macgregor, and they also resembled him in wanting a footing and in the determination to obtain one. After a time they succeeded in getting it and could now flatter themselves on getting nearer the top of the ladder; but would always endeavour to lend a helping hand to those others who might be endeavouring to begin the ascent at the foot. When Mr. Walker found himself in a like difficulty they had much pleasure in at once coming to his rescue, and by placing their establishment at his disposal enabled him to successfully complete the work which he proposed and launch the City of Kingston.
Mr. McMurray briefly responded, observing that his connection with the construction of the first steam engine, and the first steam boat ever launched in this city, would ever be a source of pride to him.
Mr. James Verley complimented Mr. Lazarus on the wonderful success which he had achieved in the construction of the engines, which were then before those present.
In replying, Mr. Lazarus stated that it was the first time on which he had seen a steam boat launched. He bore witness to the difficulties which Mr. Walker had encountered in the execution of his project, and the energy he had displayed in surmounting them. More than that, the work was well done, and he looked upon it as a stepping stone to greater things. It showed young people who were apt to believe that such work could only be done in England, where there was every advantage in the way of tools and workshop appliances, the work could be done in Jamaica. It was the workman who made the tools and not the tools the man, and energy and resolution alone had resulted in the production of that gigantic work in what was almost a slaughter house. (Laughter) He only wished that every mechanic in the country was present to witness that example of what might be done, and have aroused in him the germs of a noble emulation. The reason Jamaicans were not prospering was that they were surrounded by people who were too indolent. Until these learned to labour and to wait, they could never take their stand as a people. He trusted that the Directors of the new Steamship Company would come forward and purchase the boat as soon as her steaming qualities had been fairly tested. This much he knew; they could not get better work and in doing so they would bestow on those who had accomplished that work, the reward which sweetens labour.
Mr. Gall related an instance, on the authority of the late Captain Cooper, in which the superiority of some careful Jamaican work to that of horn workmen had been demonstrated. An accident having befallen the machinery of hi» ship, Mr. Lazarus was consulted, remedied the defect, and the vessel returned in safety. At Glasgow the work of the West Indies was discarded and replaced by a new piece which failed on the voyage out, when the rejected portion was again replaced, doing its work well until the ship again returned to Glasgow where it was again discarded, to again have to replace a second home construction. Since then the owners had concluded to let well alone, and the despised piece of machinery was in use, he believed, to the present day.
The toasts of the ''Ladies" and " the Press" concluded the proceedings.
[We hear that there is every probability that the Directors of the new Company will acquire this little vessel as the first of their fleet, and we certainly consider that such wise encouragement of local skill and industry would have a most beneficial effect upon the development of our latent possibilities. - EDITOR]
Daily Gleaner, March 6, 1879
The steam launch "City of Kingston," which was recently launched from Messrs. Verley, Robinson & Co's. yard, for Mr. A. C. Walker, will proceed on her trial trip at 4 o'clock this evening, from the Victoria Market Pier. A number of invitations have been issued for the occasion.
Daily Gleaner, March 15, 1879
The new launch "City of Kingston" has had several trial trips, and her machinery is found to be in excellent working order. She will leave the market wharf, at 8 o'clock, on Sunday morning, with a select party on board, who will spend the day at New Brighton. It is expected that her official trial trip will take place early next week.
Daily Gleaner, March 18, 1879
The steam-launch City of Kingston will proceed on her trial trip at 4 o'clock this evening, for which occasion the invitations sent out for the trial trip, which was attempted on the 6th instant, and which failed through defect in the machinery, hold good.
Daily Gleaner, March 19, 1879
The launch "City of Kingston" started on her trial trip at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, from the Victoria Market Wharf. Very few gentlemen accompanied Mr. Walker, the constructor, in consequence, we presume, of the heavy sea-breeze which was blowing at the time. Just as she was about to start, in reversing her engines, she went ashore, and were it not for the timely assistance of the admiralty launch "Rainbow," which was just about to start, and which towed her off, she would probably have capsized.
Daily Gleaner, April 10, 1879
As will be seen in an advertisement in another column, the Kingston and Port Royal Steam Boat Company will commence operations on Monday morning. The Steam Launch "City of Kingston" will make three trips daily on week days, and two on Sundays. The scale of charges is very moderate, and we hope the company will receive the success it deserves. |
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Daily Gleaner, April 12, 1879
Grand preparations are being made at New Brighton, for having a Gala day in honour of the running of the Steam Launch "City of Kingston," which has just been purchased by the Kingston and Port Royal Steam Boat Company. The fares of the Launch are very reason able, and she will leave the market wharf crowded on each trip. Arrangements will be made for the return of passengers. Refreshments will also be provided at the " Aboukriville Hotel," at reasonable rates. |
New Brighton was an alternative name for what has for a long time been known as Port Henderson; the identity of the 'Aboukriville Hotel' is totally elusive, as there seem to be no other references to it!!
Port Henderson & New Brighton, from Kidd's map of mid-19th century Kingston
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from:
The Tourist's Guide to the Chief Towns and Villages of the Island of Jamaica: To which are Appended Several Scientific Synopses, 1852 . |
On August 18th 1880 Jamaica was hit by a serious hurricane, and Kingston and the harbour were badly damaged; the West End Foundry lost part of its roof, and the City of Kingston, like numerous other vessels, sank in the harbour.
Daily Gleaner, October 5, 1880
The steam launch "City of Kingston" which sank in the harbour during the storm of the 18th of August, has been raised by Capt. Williams, the diver, with the assistance of the schr. "Minis." She has been pumped out and will be ready for work in a short time.
The steam launch "City of Kingston" which sank in the harbour during the storm of the 18th of August, has been raised by Capt. Williams, the diver, with the assistance of the schr. "Minis." She has been pumped out and will be ready for work in a short time.
. . . and, so far, nothing further on the fate of the City of Kingston, which may just have been salvaged.
