The CHIEF JUSTICE ROBINSON. 1841.
From the "Landmarks of Toronto." [page 84]
There was, at that time, no railroad around the head of Lake Ontario so a Freight Route by steamer across the lake was opened to Lewiston, from where rail connection could be made to the Atlantic.
In January, 1855, large shipments of flour made from Upper Canada mills along the north shore of Lake Ontario began to be collected. The enterprising agent of the Peerless (Mr. L. B. Gordon) wrote to the Central that he hoped to "make the consignment up to 10,000 barrels before the canal and river opens." This being a reference to the competing all-water route via the Erie Canal and Hudson River.
The first winter shipment of a consignment of 3,400 barrels was begun by the Chief Justice Robinson from the Queen's Wharf on 17th January.
The through rates of freight, as recorded in Mr. Gordon's books, are in these modern days of low rates, remarkable. Not the less interesting are the proportions accepted by each of the carriers concerned for their portion of the service, which were as follows:
Flour, per barrel, Toronto to New York—
| Steamer—Queen's Wharf to Lewiston | 12-1/2c |
| Wharfage and teaming (Cornell) | 6 |
| New York Central, Lewiston to Albany | 60 |
| Ferry at Albany | 3 |
| Hudson River Railroad to New York | 37-1/2 |
| —— | |
| Through to New York | $1.19 |
What would the Railway Commissioners and the public of the present think of such rates!
The shipments were largely from the products of the mills at the Credit, Oakville, Brampton, Esquesing, and Georgetown, being teamed to the docks at Oakville and Port Credit, from where they were brought by the steamers Queen City and Chief Justice Robinson at 5c per bbl. to the Queen's Wharf, Toronto, and from there taken across the lake by the Chief Justice Robinson and the Peerless.