This engraving by an unknown artist illustrates New Fort or Fort Kaministiquia (Fort William in 1807), the hub of the North West Company's fur trade empire.
For two weeks each July, Fort William played host to over one thousand Nor'westers as they transacted their business and celebrated their reunion after a long winter in the wilderness. Here schooners, bateaux and large freight canoes unloaded trade goods and provisions brought up from Montreal and the lower lakes for transhipment to smaller canoes destined for posts in the far northwest. In return, the annual bounty of furs harvested for the London market came to Fort William by smaller north canoe for transhipment to the larger vessels. Such a transhipment point was necessary because it was impossible for canoes to make the round trip between Montreal and the far West in the frost-free season. In addition, the inland rivers and portages required smaller craft than did the Great Lakes-Ottawa River route. Behind the palisade are vast warehouses for trade goods, provisions and furs as well as accommodations for company partners and clerks. Outside can be seen the tents of the voyageurs to the left and the native encampment to the right. Not seen in this engraving are the facilities for the repair and building of canoes, bateaux and schooners, essential support services for the company's transportation network.
