BENJAMIN HOLMES, Collector to George Futvoye, December 29, 1864

Mr. Holmes to Mr. Futvoye

Sir: In reply to your letter of the 28th instant, requesting information respecting the steamers Almandarus and Pinero, I beg for the information of the honorable the attorney general for Lower Canada to state that the former was built on a wharf opposite this city, and then taken into the Lachine canal, by Mr. Augustine Cantin during the last summer. That owing to the illness of the measuring officer of this port, Mr. O’Meara, of ————, came up here and measured both vessels, and would, therefore, be competent to give every information as to whether there was anything suspicious in their build, or different from similar passenger steamboats.

These vessels were both registered at this port on the 25th of November last in the name of the builder, A. Cantin. The Almandarus was built on account of the General Cuban Steam Navigation Company of Havana, and the Pinero for Ildefonso Vivanco, merchant, of same place.

The Almandares, of 630.21/100 tons, J. B. Portias master, cleared from this port without cargo for Havana on the 7th instant, and by the latest accounts had reached Canso, where I was informed, at date of her sailing hence, she would stop for a supply of coal.

It was intended to have cleared the Pinero, 287 82/100 tons, for the same port, but owing to the unfinished state of the joiners’ work some difference arose between the parties interested, which created a delay of several days, and the season suddenly closing, the vessel was compelled to return into the Lachine canal to winter.

I would beg to observe that Mr. Cantin, in November, 1858, built a steam vessel of 437 89/100 tons, called the Colon, for Don Pedro Sacosta, of Havana, which was transferred to him there, and the register returned to this port by the British consul.

These vessels were stated to be intended for passenger boats, and the Almandares was fitting up at date of her clearance with state-rooms, &c., as in the usual way.

I have, &c.