For further information about the Prince Edward Island and other ferries see "Iceboats to super-ferries" by John Edward Belliveau et al.
A photocopy of the log-book from September to December 1917 is also available
The S. S. "Prince Edward Island" was launched by her builder W. C. Armstrong & Whitworth Co. at Newcastle-on-Tyne in October 1914. She had been commissioned by the federal government in 1913 in recognition of the fact that a railcar ferry would be necessary to provide the continuous and reliable service that was being demanded. The 7000 horsepower, 300'x 53' sternloading icebreaker was equipped to carry a dozen railway cars on two tracks on her train deck. Arriving in 1915 before the new terminal facilities were completed at Borden/Cape Tormentine she spent her first season operating between Charlottetown, Georgetown, and Pictou. In 1917 she began service on the Borden/Cape Tormentine run which she was to continue for over fifty years. As the ferry traffic grew she was at times assisted, but never completely replaced, by ever larger, faster, and more easily loaded ferries such as the "Charlottetown" (1931-1941), "Abegweit" (1946- ), and "Confederation" (1962- ). In 1968 the John Hamilton Gray joined the fleet, followed by the "Lucy Maud Montgomery" in 1969 and the "Prince Edward Island" was retired. In 1989 she was still serving as a barge in Whitby, Ontario but was scrapped in Toronto in 1995.
Published
Title based on contents of the fonds
The fonds consists of the log-books of R. F. Main, Chief Engineer of the Steamship Prince Edward Island from 12 December 1915 to 15 January 1917, of J. J. Murchison, Captain, from 24 September 1917 to 27 December 1917 and that of Captain Read from 9 December 1929 to 12 July 1930. All contain time, temperature, and barometer readings as well as more general weather observations including references to the quarter and strength of the wind. Routes are noted and compass bearings given, cargo is sometimes noted as are special incidents of the crossing. In the third volume numbers and names of crew are noted.
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