(5) That the thanks of the Board are due to Capt. Harbottle for the care and skill he has exercised in avoiding the Rothesay, and that he be requested to continue on the principle that safety is the first consideration.
(6) That these orders of the Board be published for the information of the public.
(Sgd) John Foy Frank Smith,
Manager President.
It is to be remembered that the present eastern channel from the harbor did not at that time exist, but that the western channel, by the Queen's Wharf, was the only one which was open, and was not then wide enough for two steamers to pass out together. The proposition was that the first through this channel should hold its lead.
Toronto had then a population of only 70,000. There were very few steamers running out of the harbor, lake excursion business may be said to have been only in its introduction and infancy, so that very much personal and family interest was taken in the several steamers on the routes, thus accounting for the public announcement of the regulations proposed.
The publication had the desired effect of preventing the Rothesay from coming into too close proximity, but did not reduce the monetary competition, in fact only increased it.
The City and Chicora were running three trips daily, 7 a.m., 1.45 p.m., 3 p.m., and on Saturdays four trips, the advertisements announcing "No overcrowding, as both steamers return in the evening." On the four trips being made the alternating steamer left at 8.30 p.m. for Niagara to make the first trip from there at 8 a.m. on Monday. While other rates were maintained, a special excursion rate of 25 cents was made for round trip on Saturday afternoon.
In early August Rothesay put on a return rate at 25c. for every afternoon, heading its announcements "Keep down the rates." The Milloys were averse to reduction and favored holding up the rates, considering that better equipment deserved better money. In this mid-summer season the Rothesay was getting a pretty good batch of passengers every afternoon, a process which would help her to continue the competition. She was then running from the Yonge street slip on the west side of Milloy's dock, the City and Chicora both being on the east side out of sight behind the buildings. We had the next move under consideration. The Hon. Frank Smith came down on the dock one hot afternoon when the people were swarming down the street for the 2 p.m. steamers. We were standing and watching the streams dividing to go on board the two steamers, the Chicora and the Rothesay, the latter being in sight in the Yonge street slip, the other further down the dock and behind the buildings.
There was quite a stream taking the Rothesay. "By heavens," said the Hon. Frank, suddenly and decidedly, "there's one of the men from my own warehouse going on board the Rothesay, he's holding down his umbrella, so that I shan't see his face, but I know his legs."
We forthwith called and held a joint meeting with the Milloys in the office on the dock, when the round trip rate of 25c. for every afternoon was at once adopted, and all other rates were thereafter to be the same at the Rothesay.