Now & Then: Crossing Through Time – The Wolfe Island Ferry
Today, a trip to Wolfe Island is only a pleasant ferry ride away. But back in its early days, the trip was quite an adventure. Records show that a ferry licence was requested and granted to Samuel Hitchcock in 1802. The flat-bottom boat was to operate from his house on Wolfe Island to Kingston. The boats were made simply, with pine boards put together with wooden spikes. The ferry was powered by wind or by the oar. The fare was established by the Court of Quarter Sessions, the only form of local government. Mr Hitchcock, as per his contract, was to be “equally attentive at all reasonable hours to the call of a single person as to that of a great number, and also to be ready at short notice and ferry such a person or such cattle or carriages or wares.”
The ferry was of great service to the local community. Canoes had been used previously and introducing the ferry broke the isolation. In winter, often at significant risk, they would use horses and carts to go over the ice. It was not unusual to come across news articles in the local paper about horses tragically losing their lives while attempting the crossing.
Steamers appeared in 1835, and the first Wolfe Islander was so named in 1905. Today, we have the Wolfe Islander III running, and the Wolfe Islander IV is coming into operation. A trip is a mere 20 minutes, considerably less than the 90 minutes it took in April 1920 when ice slowed down the trip. Back then, 200 residents took the ferry to go to market. There had been a three-week period when they had been unable to go because of the ice build-up. The islanders who ferried to Kingston had hundreds of dozens of eggs to offer. The build-up supply caused a drastic price drop for the staple on that day.
In 1904, the Island took control of the ferries. It wouldn’t be until 1963 that the Ministry of Transportation would take over the operation of the ferry service. Fares were eliminated for this ferry because of a convention grandfathered from the past. Since the old King’s Highway crosses Wolfe Island, they consider the ferry to Kingston to be an extension of that highway.
It is interesting to note on the ferry ride that the Wolfe Islander II is now a dive site, just off Kingston. In 1985, after its long service, the ship was sunk on purpose. The 165-foot ferry now lies in about 70 feet of water. The pilot house and engine room are favourites of visiting divers.
The Wolfe Islander III is free for all passengers, and it takes about 20 minutes to cross. You can find more information and current schedules here.