Vessel design
Engine design
Isaac Johnson
John Molson
Lady Sherbrooke
Glossary
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The story of the P.S. (Paddlewheel Steamer) Lady Sherbrooke begins with John Molson's decision, in 1816, to construct a fourth steamboat for his growing shipping company. Earlier vessels from the Molson Line included the Accomodation (1809), the Swiftsure (1812), and the Malsham (1814). To design and construct the Lady Sherbrooke Molson commissioned the Montréal shipbuilder Isaac Johnson. The most modern form of a steam machine, to power the vessel up and down the waters of the Saint Lawrence River, was ordered from the Birmingham, England based firm, Boulton & Watt.

Named after Lady Sherbrooke, the wife of the Governor General of Canada, Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, the Lady Sherbrooke was launched from the Hart Logan's shipyard on July 30, 1817. In order to install the engine in the hull of the Lady Sherbrooke it was towed, by the Malsham, to Québec the next day. During the month of August the mechanic John Bennet completed and tested the installation of the engine and in November 1817 the vessel made its maiden voyage.

During its short but exciting history the Lady Sherbrooke transported many interesting and important passengers and cargoes. It was involved in accidents and rescues at sea. Its passengers experienced both laughter and tragedy. Amazingly, less than ten years after its first trip up the Saint Lawrence River, the Lady Sherbrooke was retired. Records indicate that on November 29th, 1826 the steam engine of the Lady Sherbrooke was transferred to the new vessel, the John Molson. In early December the shell of the Lady Sherbrooke was towed to the site of its present resting grounds, in the shallow waters just off the bank of Ile Charon.