The schooner MARQUIS, formerly known as TOBIAS BUTLER, was built in August 1872 by William Jamieson at Mill Point, Ontario. She had a gross tonnage of 446.30 tons and a registered tonnage of 424.00 tons. Her dimensions were 148.0 feet in length, 28.9 feet in width, and 11.5 feet in depth. She had three masts and a round stern, and was constructed of wood in the carvel style.
Initially registered as a barge in Napanee, she was later renamed MARQUIS on May 25, 1875. The vessel was owned by W. Hale and had a home port of Toronto. Her value at the time of launch was estimated to be $18,000.
Before her renaming, she was launched as the barge TOBIAS BUTLER at the shipyard of Messrs. H.B. Rathbun & Son in Millpoint. The launch was successful and took place on August 27, 1872. The TOBIAS BUTLER was the largest vessel ever built on the Bay of Quinte at the time. She had impressive specifications, measuring 150 feet in keel, 30 feet in beam, and 11 feet in hold. Her timbers and sidings were made of the finest white oak, and she had a carrying capacity of over half a million feet of lumber. The vessel was rated as A No. 1, and her value was around $20,000. She was intended for trade between the Bay of Quinte ports and Oswego.
