Site Orientation #
- Car Ferry
- 10 – 15ffw
- Horne Point, Wolfe Island St. Lawrence River
- 44°08’32.3″N 76°21’58.9″W
Built at Bertram’s yard near the foot of Bathurst Street, Toronto, TOM FAWCETT was a notable vessel whose origins remain somewhat uncertain. Believed to be the yard’s Hull 42, her wooden hull measured 118.6 feet in length, 17.7 feet in beam, and 6.8 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 224 Gross and 98 Net. As a sidewheeler, TOM FAWCETT served the ferry needs of the Corporation of the Township of Wolfe Island, Ontario, and was enrolled at Toronto as C.116763.
TOM FAWCETT was a typical ferry for her time, offering practical features for both passengers and cargo. The wide guards provided a spacious open area on the main deck, allowing for the transportation of goods, livestock, horses, wagons, and eventually automobiles. The main deck housed a fully enclosed cabin, while the small enclosed paddleboxes lacked ornamentation. Towards the stern of the main deck, the ladies’ cabin boasted large sectioned windows. The upper deck primarily served as a promenade area, with the officers’ quarters located aft of the pilothouse. The pilothouse itself was a small rounded cabin elevated above the deck. Each side of the upper deck carried a wooden lifeboat positioned over the paddlebox.
TOM FAWCETT featured a relatively tall and thin stack positioned directly behind the pilothouse, with a slight rake. A light and short mast, stepped approximately halfway between the stack and the stern, complemented the vessel. The ferry had a single mast, a tall raked jackstaff aft, and a tall steering pole at the bow.
After successfully undergoing tests, TOM FAWCETT embarked on her inaugural journey from Toronto to Kingston in June 1904. On July 1, 1904, under the command of Captain James Crawford, she commenced regular ferry service. The maiden voyage included notable crew members such as Michael O’Shea (mate), Lloyd Card (purser), Robert Tetro (engineer), and David Stevenson (fireman). Some individuals present on that Dominion Day would also be there for the ferry’s final trip, which took place 42 years later on another Dominion Day.
Initially known as TOM FAWCETT, the ferry operated under that name for just one year. In 1905, it was renamed WOLFE ISLANDER, a more fitting designation that persisted until the end. The only significant change during the vessel’s lifetime was the transfer of ownership to the provincial government, specifically the Department of Highways. Since then, the Wolfe Island ferry service has been managed by the ministry responsible for highway development and maintenance in Ontario.
The ferry’s schedule underwent modifications over the years, accommodating increased traffic demand. Additional trips were added, including a special Saturday evening service for shopping or movie visits in Kingston. Charters were also available for clubs and groups, organizing moonlight excursions or Sunday picnics to Brophy’s Point. Adult fares for regular trips were 25 cents, high school students paid 15 cents, and children under twelve were carried free of charge. In case of emergencies or special trips during the week, a fee of $5.00 was levied.
While WOLFE ISLANDER had ample open space on the bow for freight, arrangements were made to deliver small parcels directly to island residents. Kingston merchants would bring the ordered items to the ferry, where they were placed on a large round table in the ladies’ cabin. Passengers would collect their parcels from there. Occasionally, the purser was asked to run errands related to these packages, but one incident involving a stolen package of corsets made him reluctant to oblige such requests in the future.
Relative Links #
Complete History provided by the Toronto Marine Historical Society’s Scanner
Ship of the Month No. 82
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