There were few or no passengers to go, but the City started out down the bay followed by Chicora.
They had a very rough passage and when about two miles out from the river the City rolled out her mast and was otherwise damaged, but managed to make her way into port.
This was her end, for she was sent to Port Dalhousie for repairs, and while lying up in the dock she was burned at 9 p.m., 31st October, 1883, and so closed a long and eventful career.
1884 found us without any further partners and alone on the route. It had been a long strife. No wonder we had loved the Chicora for like a good lass she had always cheerfully responded to whatever she was called upon to do.
Her seaworthiness gained the confidence of the public to such an extent that there were not a few families in the city who preferred the rough days for their outings, and some men, among others, Mr. Wilson of the Bank of Montreal, who always had notices sent to them when "there was a real heavy sea on," so that they might make the afternoon 2 p.m. excursion.
Capt. Harbottle having been appointed to a position on shore in the Marine Department, his place on the Chicora was given to Capt. Thomas Leach, of Halifax. It was he who in 1866 had brought up the blockade runner Rothesay Castle and had run her between Toronto and Niagara in competition with the City under arrangements with the Canada Southern.
The season of 1884 had barely begun before we learned of another intended competitor. The steamer Rupert was being brought up to run in connection with the Canada Southern at Niagara-on-the-Lake.
This steamer duly arrived at Milloy's dock and was found a good-looking sizable boat, with much deck accommodation for many travellers. Going on board the sand barrels on the broad deck seemed somewhat numerous. One of these was held at midship at blocks. Taking out the wedge and turning the barrel a kick set it rolling toward the ship side. As it went the boat keeled over to it. Without saying or seeing anything more, the investigator walked off and going up to the office told Mr. Foy, "John, you needn't be afraid of the Rupert. She'll frighten her passengers some day, she's crank,"—and so she was.
The competition did not last the whole season, but business was increasing on the route, so the small steamer Armenia was chartered to make an early morning trip from the Niagara River to Toronto. It was not a success, but she was useful when the fruit season opened.
This year 1884 began also another route in competition. The Welland Railway had passed into the hands of the Grand Trunk, and the Empress of India was engaged to make the lake service between Port Dalhousie and Toronto in connection with a fast train from Buffalo and Niagara Falls. No doubt this diverted some business from the through route, but the principal earnings were from its own local district. With the superlative attractions of the scenery of the Niagara River, this Port Dalhousie route will never successfully compete for through or excursion travel with the Niagara River route, but it has the City of St. Catharines and an aggregate of thriving towns which will give a fine local and paying business with Toronto.