Molson toyed with the idea of buying a steamship after seeing Robert Fulton’s Vermont go down the Hudson.
Molson's steamship would be the first in Canada.
Molson teamed up with John Jackson and John Bruce who would build a ship for Molson in return for putting up the money and part ownership.
Built in Montreal (with engines produced at Forges du Saint-Maurice in Trois-Rivières) in 1809, Accommodation became the first steamship to ride on the waters of the Saint Lawrence River.
This was a great feat for Molson but, from a business viewpoint, it was a net loss, costing ₤4000 by 1810.
Molson was determined to make money on his ships so he dismantled Accommodation and purchased in person two steamship engines from Boulton & Watt in Birmingham, England.
He combined the two engines and the remains of Accommodation to create Swiftsure, a magnificent ship that was a vision of elegance and speed, traversing the route at an average of seven miles an hour.
Swiftsure measured 130 feet on the keel and had a beam of 24 feet.
The steamship provided a ready cash business, while the government in London had suspended the transfer of specie from 1800 to 1817.
Most other Canadian business was carried on with London bills of exchange, and the transfer of those bills from Montreal to Quebec earned the Molsons up to 20 per cent.
And since brewing occupied the months when the steamboats were laid up, a harmonious concordance of activities resulted.

During this time Molson's business continued to grow and the War of 1812 pushed sales even higher.
Swiftsure was leased to the British Army and brought in a supplemental income.
In 1815, Molson was elected to represent Montreal East in the legislative assembly on the platform of building a wharf.
Molson Brewery is the second oldest company in all of Canada.
Molson toyed with the idea of buying a steamship after seeing Robert Fulton’s Vermont go down the Hudson. Molson's steamship would be the first in Canada. Molson teamed up with John Jackson and John Bruce who would build a ship for Molson in return for putting up the money and part ownership. Built in Montreal (with engines produced at Forges du Saint-Maurice in Trois-Rivières) in 1809, Accommodation became the first steamship to ride on the waters of the Saint Lawrence River. This was a great feat for Molson but, from a business viewpoint, it was a net loss, costing ₤4000 by 1810. Molson was determined to make money on his ships so he dismantled Accommodation and purchased in person two steamship engines from Boulton & Watt in Birmingham, England. He combined the two engines and the remains of Accommodation to create Swiftsure, a magnificent ship that was a vision of elegance and speed, traversing the route at an average of seven miles an hour. Swiftsure measured 130 feet on the keel and had a beam of 24 feet. The steamship provided a ready cash business, while the government in London had suspended the transfer of specie from 1800 to 1817. Most other Canadian business was carried on with London bills of exchange, and the transfer of those bills from Montreal to Quebec earned the Molsons up to 20 per cent. And since brewing occupied the months when the steamboats were laid up, a harmonious concordance of activities resulted.
During this time Molson's business continued to grow and the War of 1812 pushed sales even higher. Swiftsure was leased to the British Army and brought in a supplemental income. In 1815, Molson was elected to represent Montreal East in the legislative assembly on the platform of building a wharf. Molson Brewery is the second oldest company in all of Canada.
John Molson