The Canadian was the first screw steamship launched for the Allan Line (Montreal Ocean Steamship Company) and was specifically designed for transatlantic service between Liverpool and the St. Lawrence River. Built by Messrs. William Denny & Brothers at Dumbarton on the Clyde, she represented a significant step forward in steamship design, combining technical innovation with refined passenger accommodations.

She completed her maiden voyage from Greenock to the Mersey in eighteen and a half hours, passing around the Calf of Man. Her light draft caused the screw to ride partially above the waterline, which reduced the efficiency of propulsion, an early reminder of the engineering trade-offs involved in optimizing for both speed and shallow-water operation.

Design and Passenger Comfort

The Canadian was constructed to carry 68 cabin-class passengers and 280 steerage passengers. Her design reflected the maritime trends of the era, emphasizing both efficiency and comfort. The staterooms were crafted with a focus on elegance and practicality, offering velvet-cushioned sofas, curtained berths, mirrors, wash-hand basins, and patented lighting fixtures. Each cabin measured approximately 7 feet 3 inches by 8 feet 6 inches and typically housed two berths, each 2 feet wide.

The main saloon—measuring 58 feet in length—stood out for its cathedral-style woodwork and understated elegance. A plainly arched ceiling and carved paneling contributed to its sense of space and serenity. This grand room was heated by steam and naturally illuminated by stained-glass panels set into a ventilated cupola, the work of Ballantine & Allan of Edinburgh. It could seat more than 70 guests at dinner in telescope chairs, and crystal trays suspended from the ceiling could be lowered in bad weather to prevent damage to glassware.

To the right of the saloon was the ladies' cabin, which provided 14 private berths in a secluded and quiet section of the ship. Like the saloon, this space was also heated by steam. Nearby, the steward’s pantry featured an 18-by-8-foot room elegantly stocked with a wide range of silverware and crystal—testament to the vessel's attention to high standards of service.

The forward section of the ship featured the steerage accommodation, offering 280 berths in total. These were arranged in two single rows along the ship's sides and a double row down the center. The space was well-ventilated and naturally lit, and offered ample room for passengers to walk and exercise. Approximately one-ninth of these berths were reserved for unmarried women. There were also two hospitals designated for steerage passengers—one for men, the other for women—ensuring medical care for those traveling in the lower classes.

Crew quarters were also thoughtfully designed. The master's and mates' rooms housed on deck were compact but complete with necessary furnishings and seafaring equipment. The third mate and petty officers were housed in similar quarters near the bow, along with two messrooms furnished with benches and tables.

Technical Features and Construction

The Canadian was powered by a pair of direct-acting steam engines with cylinders measuring 62½ inches in diameter and a stroke of 3½ feet. These robust engines were capable of producing over 50 revolutions per minute. The ship carried two fire-tube boilers with brass tubes and furnaces at both ends to ensure consistent steam output. The screw propeller measured 16 feet in diameter with a pitch of 25 feet, though early voyages revealed that the light draft caused the screw to partially emerge from the water, reducing propulsion efficiency.

The wheelhouse at the stern featured a glass front, providing a more comfortable working environment for the helmsman, especially during cold or inclement weather. A secondary wheel was installed at the bow to assist in navigating narrow channels. The galley was outfitted with a modern, fully equipped cooking range based on the latest principles of culinary design, and the deck featured two large ice-houses, each 12 feet long, 7 feet deep, and 6 feet wide—along with a small cowhouse, presumably for supplying fresh dairy during long voyages. Construction and Aesthetic Details

The vessel was full-barque rigged, giving her a graceful and commanding presence at sea. The carvings aboard The Canadian were executed by Kay & Shanks of Glasgow, with decorative painting completed by Mr. Ballardie. The rigging was supplied by Mr. Cullen. Storage areas aboard were notably efficient, described as resembling honeycombs due to the meticulous way in which space was utilized.

As the pioneering vessel of her class, The Canadian combined refined interiors, thoughtful design, and mechanical innovation. Her service reflected both the ambition and craftsmanship of mid-19th century transatlantic steam travel, marking a significant milestone in maritime history.

Service:

The Canadian sailed from Liverpool (Capt. Andrew M'Master) on her maiden voyage to Quebec on September 16th and arrived there on September 26th, after 12 days. She departed Quebec for her return voyage to Liverpool on October 14th, but was delayed due to the need for repairs and resumed her voyage on October 16th. On October 30th, at the mouth of the Mersey, she ran aground on the Great Burbo Bank. She came off without injury and arrived in Liverpool on October 31st.

After this single voyage, she was chartered to the Canadian Steam Navigation Company, which was under contract with Her Majesty's Provincial Government of Canada to transport the Canadian mails. This contract would later be taken over by the Allan Line. On November 7th, the Canadian (Capt. M'Master) was cleared out from Coburg Dock, Liverpool, for Portland under charter to the Canadian Steam Navigation Company. She arrived in Portland on November 22nd and departed on her return voyage on December 2nd. She arrived on the Mersey on December 14th with a large cargo of mail and 52 passengers, having crossed from Portland in under 12 days.

Crimean War transport

Government for service as a Crimean War transport and was refitted as a troopship. Captain M'Master was transferred to a new ship being built by the Allan Line, the Indian, which was an identical sister ship to the Canadian, and he was replaced by Captain William Grange. Following the refit, the Canadian was intended to sail to Woolwich (London) to embark around 800 artillerymen and military stores bound for the Crimea. However, on January 26th, nearly 1,000 drafted soldiers for several regiments serving in the Crimea embarked on the Canadian at Portsmouth. On February 4th, she departed from Portsmouth for the Crimea. She arrived in Malta on February 7th and continued on to Balaklava in the Crimea. On May 12th, she arrived in Corfu from Balaklava to embark the 1st Regiment of the Lancashire Militia and transport them to Zante to relieve the 31st Regiment of the Line, which was to proceed on the Canadian to the Crimea. On May 24th, she again arrived in Corfu from Balaklava. On August 21st, she arrived in Malta from Marseilles. On October 5th, the Canadian (under Captain Grange) arrived in Genoa from Kamiesch via Salonica. On October 22nd, she sailed from Genoa for Constantinople. After nearly a year as a Crimean War troopship, the Canadian arrived at Spithead just before Christmas of 1855 with wounded and invalid soldiers from the war.

The Canadian now returned to transatlantic service. She sailed from Greenock on January 25th, 1856, and arrived in Boston on February 13th, having encountered very heavy weather during the voyage. From Boston, she continued to New York and departed from there on March 18th. On March 29th, the Canadian (Capt. Grange) arrived back in Liverpool.

The birth of the Allan Line service:

In March 1856, the Canadian, along with her sister ship the Indian and two other steamships acquired by the Allan Line (Montreal Ocean Steamship Company), was announced for service on the line’s first regular sailings between Liverpool and Canada. The company was now under contract with Her Majesty's Provincial Government for the conveyance of mail. The two other ships in the service were the North American and the Anglo-Saxon. The Canadian departed from Liverpool on her first voyage under this service on May 7th, 1856, commanded by Capt. Wm. Ballantine, and bound for Montreal. She returned to Liverpool from Quebec on June 19th. On July 2nd, the Canadian (Capt. Ballantine) departed Liverpool for Quebec, arriving on July 15th. She departed Quebec on August 2nd and arrived in Liverpool on August 14th. She sailed again from Liverpool on August 25th (Capt. Ballantine), arriving in Quebec on September 9th. She departed Quebec for Liverpool on September 28th and arrived on October 10th.

On October 20th, she sailed from Liverpool for Montreal. On November 2nd, the Canadian ran ashore on White Island but came off the following evening and arrived in Quebec on November 3rd without damage. She departed Quebec on November 22nd and arrived in Liverpool on December 7th with 103 passengers. She had experienced very heavy weather during the passage and lost two of her boats.

The Canadian sailed for Portland on March 23rd, 1857 (Capt. Ballantine), and arrived there on April 7th. She departed Portland on April 25th and arrived in Liverpool on May 8th. On May 20th, she departed from Liverpool (Capt. Ballantine) for Quebec and Montreal with 100 cabin passengers and 250 steerage passengers.

On June 1st, the Canadian went ashore at Pillars, 40 miles below Quebec. The steam tug Napoleon was sent to her assistance. By June 22nd, reports stated: "The Canadian is quite dry on the rocks, with the exception of her stem. The wind is changing for the better, and from this we hope they may be able to discharge all the cargo and get her off." Although all the cargo was saved, the ship was declared a total loss. The Canadian was insured in New York for only $20,000, while the total loss was estimated at over $200,000.