A Canadian Family

Allan Line Wharf In The Early 20th century

In this article from 1930, a reporter shares Sir Hugh Allan’s impressions of the Port of Montreal in the early 18^th century.

It was in 1826 that sir Hugh Allan landed in Montreal as a boy from the brig Favorite, from Scotland. The Hercules, he said in his lecture, was the only steam tug on the St.Lawrence at the time, and it was not strong enough to pull the Favorite up the St.Mary’s current, the work being done with the help of oxen and men. The vessel had to anchor in the stream, for fear of stranding on the beach, and the unloading was done onto a platform extending out over the water.

The few wharves were wooden and wood was the material used until thirty or so years ago. Sir Hugh Allan saw the port develop until in 1880 the Allan Line alone had 23 steamships of 60,000 tons burden, and 12 sailing ships. Read more »

April 26, 2011 Posted by Evelyn Yvonne Theriault | . | history of Montreal, Montreal, shipping | Leave a Comment