Canada was built and owned by Charles Rufus Burgess of nearby Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Her interior included a finely outfitted captain's cabin, finished in walnut, ash and rosewood with a full dining room, office and bathroom.

Her launch at noon on July 6, 1891 attracted 5,000 people from all across Western Nova Scotia, brought by multiple special trains run by the Cornwallis Valley Railway.

Her immense size attracted hundreds to the Saint John waterfront to see Canada depart on September 1, 1891 for her maiden voyage, carrying with a cargo of lumber worth $144,109 bound for Liverpool, England.

[8] Classed A1 by Lloyd's Register for 14 years, Canada made several fast passages between South America and Australia.