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through the shallow water to shore for passengers to disem- bark.

The first wharves were planned in 1840 in a joint effort by settlers of the two Lots. Money for wharf construction was collected from the local people. Hon. James Yeo of Port Hill, who used the route in his business and government travels, secured a grant of 50 £ from the Island government for the project.12 The wharves had to be rebuilt many times over the years due to the fury of fall and winter storms. The new wharves provided an anchor with which to tie a cable on each side of the river. By this method various types of flat-bottomed crafts were pulled between the wharves. The early ferries employed in the Grand River service could carry one horse and wagon. In 1919, another update was made to the service in the form of a scow purchased at Summerside. The new ferry was equipped with a gasoline engine that operated on a steel cable. This vessel could carry two horses and wagons and three cars.13

The last ferry to service the crossing was built in 1930 by Robert Rankin of Summerside. He built the flat deck ferry at the Lot 16 Shipyard which was situated just south of the exist- ing wharf on the Ferry Road.” It also ran on a steel cable pow- ered by a 12hp gasoline engine. It could accommodate seven cars and at least four horses and wagons.

As the use of cars increased, the provincial government made the decision to phase out the ferry in 1946 on the promise the operating funds would be used to improve the road around the river. The ferry was put into service at Lennox Island and, a short time later, went adrift in a storm; it washed ashore on Hog Island.

The first operator of the ferry service was Donald Rochfort. His service included a tavern on the Lot 16 shore. Other ferry operators (not listed in chronological order) over the time span included Gabriel Morrison, Milton MacLennan, ‘Captain’ Johnny Winchester, Sandy Morrison, John Arse- nault, and William Cotton.

Older people in Lot 16 recall that it cost approximately ten cents to cross on the ferry and the trip would take approxi- mately ten to fifteen minutes. The ferry sailed when people

LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE