Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present

Excerpts from:

Chapter Thirteen: Transportation

Used with the kind permission of Mrs. W.M.
(Phyllis) Cosgrove October 10, 2001

For the purpose of brevity, only portions have been extracted
from the full text. For a genuine appreciation of Mr. Cosgrove’s
writings please read the entire work. The book is available
from the Kingston Public Library.

O. McDermott, L. Mosier, B. Stevenson, H. Halligan, L. McDermott
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 55

H. LaRush, Capt. G. Bates, B. Boulder, L. Mosier, A. Hawkins
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 55

G. Paulenshire, E. Goslin, A Hawkins
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 55

Jack Sudds car
Feb. 20, 1937

From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 55

From an article in the Kingston Whig-Standard Feb 1940

Minnie the Horse

For eight years the old mare has at intervals crossed with sleigh loads of provisions from Kingston to Wolfe Island and returned with cargoes of produce, without a driver. Everyday last week at the command of her owner, Orville McDermott, the faithful mare made the one-hour crossing over the three mile route.

“Minnie” is the unpretentious name of the 21 year old mare. This morning as she climbed up the Brock St. dock, drawing a sleighload of produce with the help of another horse, and the guiding hand of Orville McDermott, the old mare looked tired. Her slim legs bore tell-tale marks of plunging through deep harbour slush.

The horse, known all over Wolfe Island, is considered to be one of the wisest animals in the district.

J. Payne, R. Hulton, A. Cosgrove, J. Wood, O. McDermott

From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 56

P. Ryan, O. McDermott, F. Whitmarsh, April, 1939

From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 56

WOLFE ISLAND-KINGSTON FERRY (1802-1946)

The first ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island was built in 1802 from crude pine boards cut on the island. These were held together by wooden spikes and powered by wind or oar.

In 1857 the first lead of a ferry was granted to Coleman Hinkley, who built the first ferry Old Pierrepont. This boat did not stay on the run long, and was succeeded by the Gaselle in 1864, then by the Watertown in 1872. The St. Lawrence Steamboat Co, under the Folger Bros. Bought out Hinckley control of the ferry, with the new Pierrepont and continued until July 1, 19804.

In 1903, by a vote of the landowners it was decided to secure control of the Ferry and to build their own boat. Thus in 1904 the Thomas Fawcett , later renamed the Steamer Wolfe Islander, was place on the route. The first crew was Captain James Crawford, Mate Michael O’Shea, Purser Lloyd Card, Fireman David Stevenson, and Engineer Robert Tetro.

The Steamer Wolfe Islander gave faithful service until 1946 when she was replaced by the Motorship Wolfe Islander. Mr. Oscar McCready bought the old steamboat from the Township and moored her on the south shore of the island. In 1949 a commercial firm purchased the ferry, removed the metal for scrap and then burned the rest.

(L) Final Resting Place & (R) The Pierrepont
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p 57.

On November 18, 1946 the Motorship Wolfe Islander was officially presented to the Township of Wolfe Island by the Government of Ontario. On behalf of the ratepayers, Rev. J.J. Shannon presented a gold watch to Reeve Craig Russell in recognition of his efforts in securing the long-awaited ferry.

Public criticism of the ferry system had been mounting steadily over the years and reached its peak earlier that year with the drowning of Howard Cummins, Clarence Adair, George and Gerald Alarie when a loaded ice punt capsized near Brophy’s Point.

With the advent of free ferry service in 1964, operated by the Ont. Ministry of Communications and Transportation, traffic became so heavy that a second ferry, the Upper Canada, was pressed into service in 1965.

C. Russell

From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 58

M.S. Wolfe Islander
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 58

WOLFE ISLAND-CAPE VINCENT NY FERRY SERVICE

The Horne family of Wolfe Island has operated ferry service to Cape Vincent, NY since 1802. Samuel Horne was granted permission to run a ferry service consisting of a fleet of row-boats which were rented out to transport people to the American side.

By 1860, Thomas Horne had assumed command. In 1884 Thomas drowned and son William E. Horne took over, adding the first engine-powered boat. In the late 1920’s a scow, carrying four cars and towed by a motor launch, was placed on the route.

The Jacques Cartier, with a much bigger car capacity, was purchased in 1937. The outbreak of World War II saw the ferry service to Cape Vincent drastically reduced to the extent that only passengers were transported in a small motor launch.

For many years the Canadian Customs Office was located in the big white frame house of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Horne Sr. The residence, which had 16 bedrooms and was one of the oldest structures on the Island, was destroyed by fire in 1944.

William E. Horne Jr. and his brother Darrell, resumed the car ferry service between 1945 and 1950. The present day (1973) ferry “The William Darrell,” was introduced to the route in 1950. Darrell Horne died in 1970 and his sons George and Bruce are working with Captain Bill, perhaps someday to carry on the Horne family tradition.

(L) The William Darnell, F. Gray Clayton, N.Y.

(R) Military barges 1945-50
From "Transportation"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past and Present, 1973, p. 59

PHOTOS IN BOOK BUT NOT ONLINE:
Theresa O'Reily (L) and Doris Fargo (R) ride craft owned by "Buck" Mullin in spring break-up--late 40's page 54

There was still ice in teh harbour May 10th, 1872. This old photography shows Brock St. Dock, Ferries. page 54

Upper Canada page 58

The Islands: Books: Winston Cosgroves Wolfe Island Past and Present: Transportation

Winston Cosgrove's Wolfe Island Past and Present

Chapter Thirteen: Transportation

Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present