At length the season closed and we made our last trip on 29th September, having maintained the two trips per day throughout without any cessation.
Every one concerned in the competitive boats, no doubt, glad when the season's contest was over. It had been, for us, one of intense activity, and never ending labor and anxiety. A whole system, both within the steamer, and for outside solicitation, and ticketing arrangements, had been devised and installed, as well as the sufficient work of the daily running duties.
A new company had to be introduced on an old route. We had fairly succeeded in getting into it, but it had been at a pretty expense. The Chicora was laid up at the Northern Railway docks, and accounts for the year were made up. What the competition had cost the others one does not know, but Chicora was a long way on the wrong side as the result of the season. This was a very serious thing for one of the undertakers, for instalments had to be paid up on the investment and at the same time the losses met.
CHAPTER X.
Change Partner—Rate Cutting and Racing—Hanlan and Toronto Waterside—Passenger Limitation Introduced.
During the winter of 1878-79, changes came. The City of Toronto had tired of her partner. The railway companies had recognised the value to their route of the steamer of the Niagara Navigation Company, and the ability of its organizers to promote additional business.
Thus in the new negotiation the Rothesay was dropped by the City and the line for 1879 was to be the City of Toronto and the Chicora. We had lost money but had won our way into the route.
To enable obligations to be fulfilled monies had to be earned elsewhere, so another position was sought and obtained as General Traffic Manager of the "Collingwood-Lake Superior Line" to Sault Ste. Marie and Lake Superior, at the same time continuing the General Ticket and Freight Agency, at 35 Yonge street. In April, Mr. Cumberland resigned his position as manager of the Niagara Company, retaining the original position and salary as vice-president and assistant in passenger and executive work and Mr. John Foy, the secretary and son-in-law of Sir Frank Smith, was appointed manager as well as secretary. Sir Frank Smith, recognizing the good work done, in bringing the steamer down, the organization of the company, and in the strenuous contest which unexpectedly had been forced on us, but had been won by active ability, carried the liabilities created, which in course of time were duly shared and met.