A scarce 19th c. Canadian chart and tourist brochure pertaining to the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, the 1873 Chart of the St. Lawrence & Saguenay Rivers accompanied on the reverse by The St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, from Quebec, to Rimouski and Chicoutimi is a historic 19th c. maritime travel guide and contemporary reference for modern explorers embarking from Quebec, Canada and navigating the vast St. Lawrence River. The multiple text panels of this brochure provide the 19th century tourist with several travel routes, the applicable ferry schedules for each of the boats, ticketing information and local geographic and cultural narratives. The materials are in English. The section of the brochure titled "A Word to Tourists" is especially addressed to American tourists.
The detailed chart of the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers includes shoreline and certain inland town names and topography, historic features such as battle sites between the English and the Quebecois, French forts, the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, small rivers, waterfalls, lakes and piers for large mainland locations such as the City of Quebec, and less populated areas near Quebec such as the Isle d'Orleans that is labeled with town names and topographic features. Distances are measured in English miles.
Sailing down the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the Saguenay River, the ferry route continues up stream to Ha! Ha! Bay with its terminus at Chicoutimi. Beyond this point, the map indicates "Tides end" and "Rapids of Terre rompues". Ferry boat was a scenic and efficient means of reaching these destinations.
The brochure identifies the fleet, consisting of four "first class steamers", the Saguenay, the Union, the St. Lawrence and the Clyde. The chart includes an illustration of a steamship underway with smoke billowing from its chimney. For a fee equivalent to US $9.00 the tourist could make the lengthy round trip from Ha" Ha" Bay to Quebec City, staying at lodging houses or hotels recommended in the brochure. Tickets were for sale in Quebec City, Montreal and elsewhere. The Chart of the St. Lawrence & Saguenay Rivers unites 19th century tourists with 21st century time travelers curious to travel the same route and see what changes time has wrought.