RIVER CROSSINGS WHARVEs - FERRY SERVICE (LOTS 16 - 14)

Before any large wharves were built, people crossed this strip of water in summertime by means of fishing boots or small dories, if they were on foot; if on horseback, they put their things on the boat, called a ”ferry”, and towed the horse behind. The usual starting point on the Lot 16 side was a little East of the present wharf, and going upriver to a point below the

Grand River Church, where there was at one time a wharf. About half way across, at low tide, the horse was allowed to rest on shallow oyster beds. In

winter this route was ”bUShed”, as soon as the ice Was deemed heavy enough for traVel. Trees were cut and set in place at regular intervals on the route, close enough so they could be seen in bad weather. Openings, or thin spots were marked by clumps of bushes. This iob of ’bushing the ice’ was always done by a person very knowledgeable in ice conditions, currents location of oyster beds, etc.

First mention we can find regarding wharves is February 18, 1840, in the Legislative Assembly Journal, ”a Petititon for aid toWards canstruction of extensions to the present wharves or slips on each side”. Fifty pounds

were granted. Also in 1840 a Petition was presented by Mr. Yeo ”of divers, l inhabitants of Townships 13, 14 and 16, praying a grant in aid of individual subscriptions, towards constructing wharves or slips at Ellis River Ferry”.

ThIs wharf on the Lot 16 side, was located West of the new one built later.

Mention is made in 1833 of ”Donald Rotcthrd, fereran, Grand River ferry”. In the early 1900’ s poles for rebuilding wharves were obtained from the Ferry Farm. Will Crossman was Government Inspector for this proiect, and Roderick MacNeill wa in charge of the building.

A scow was acquired for ferry service. It was pulled by a rope and I equipped with a scull. It carried one horse and wagon. It was operated at one time by Ned Crossman, and later by Will Cotton.

if: The next improvement in ferry service came around 1919— a ferry boat, 3 purchased in Summerside from a Mr. Pickering. This boat had been used as a freighter and was equipped with sails. When put into the Lot 16-14 service, it was equipped with a gasoline engine, and ran on a cable. First operator was Sandy Morrison, and later on his brother Gabriel Morrison. John Arsenault and Milton MacLellan served for a time also. In the 1930’s came a bigger and better ferry boat, capable of holding 6 or 7 cars, or 4 horses and wagons. It was powered by a 12 hp. stationary engine and ran on a cable. John (Captain) Winchester was the first operator of this ferry, and also the last one. Gabriel Morrison served for a short time. This last ferry was built on the Lot 16 shore, below Will Cotton’s, by one Robert Rankin of Summerside. When the Airport at St. Eleanors wasbuilt, gravel for this large proiect was hauled from a gravel pit belonging to Les MacLean in Lot 14, across the river on this ferry. The distance wharf to

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