Compare this view by James Duncan of the western part of the port with the way it looked in 1832 and 1839 (illustrations 6 and 7) and it will be seen that further changes have occurred. Steamships have become more frequent, although sailing ships are still in evidence. The part of the city facing the river has undergone considerable change. There are now many buildings four or five stories high that house importers' offices and warehouses. Barrels were the main means of packaging and a few of them are visible here and there. In the right background is St. Helen's Island with its barracks for the British garrison.
The lithograph shows the port at the height of activity. The carters, much disapproved of by the municipal authorities but still an essential element in the movement of goods, figure prominently in the scene. Port activities provided seasonal employment for many workers: carters, day labourers and coopers. Disembarking travellers and immigrants contributed to the activity; in the foreground can be seen a family of immigrants, probably waiting to leave for Upper Canada. Inns on the waterfront catered to the needs of travellers such as these.
