The Cumberland was constructed in 1871 by Melanchthan & Simpson of Port Robinson, Ontario[REF] for Perry & Company, a Toronto steamship line [REF].
The Cumberland was built for Northern Railway of Canada, the parent company of the Toronto and Lake Superior Navigation Company, to run between Duluth, Minnesota and Collingwood or Owen Sound, Ontario,[REF] and was named For Fred W. Cumberland, Northern Railway's general manager [REF].