Wikipedia

Barnston Island Ferry

The Barnston Island Ferry is a ferry that runs across Parson's Channel (on the south side of the Fraser River) between Barnston Island and Port Kells, Surrey, in Metro Vancouver.

Barnston Island Ferry
LocaleSurrey and Barnston Island, British Columbia
WaterwayParson's Channel, Fraser River
Transit typePassenger and vehicle ferry
OwnerBC Ministry of Transportation
and Infrastructure
OperatorWestern Pacific Marine
No. of lines1
No. of vessels1
No. of terminals2
Websitewww2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/passenger-travel/water-travel/inland-ferries/barnston-island-ferry

History

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In 1913, the Canadian Pacific Railway withdrew steamboat services on the Fraser, leaving the island farmers with no realistic way to transport their produce to market.[1] That year, a government wharf was built.[2]

In response to petitions from residents,[1] the government ferry began operating in May 1916.[3] This cable ferry had previously been used at the Pitt River crossing. However, floating driftwood and the underwater cable snagging fishing nets made the vessel unsuitable for the new location.[4]

The next year, the ferry underwent a complete overhaul. Services were suspended during the spring high water for six weeks, and during winter when ice floes were hazardous, which proved inconvenient for the transportation of milk, grain, hay and potatoes.[5]

 
 
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Location of the Barnston Island Ferry in Metro Vancouver

1918 upgrade

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In 1918, the introduction of a gasoline boat, which pushed a small scow, enabled the carrying of passengers and limited produce.[4]

1921 upgrade

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A larger gasoline launch was purchased in 1921.[6] Substandard road conditions meant this 12-metre (38 ft) former fishing boat circumnavigated the island to load milk churns at various collection points.[4] By 1927, the boat, which ran continuously during peak periods, was becoming old and inadequate.[7]

1930 upgrade

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In 1930, the boat was replaced[8] and a larger barge built.[9] The 9.8-metre (32 ft) tug pushed the 11-metre (36 ft) barge, which could carry two vehicles.[4] This beginning of vehicle transportation[10] reflected increased vehicle numbers on the island and improved roads. After leaving the barge at the slipway, the tug continued to make a milk trip around the island.[4] By 1933, travel was free, but the year tolls were removed is unclear.[11]

When the river froze solid during winter, produce could be skated across the ice.[12] In the 1936–37 winter, the ferry was refloated after floating ice had rammed it against the island slip.[13] While the ferry was being overhauled, the upgrade service was limited to foot traffic.[14] That September, while backing a car at the mainland slip, a ferry worker drove into the river. After struggling to exit the submerged vehicle, he finally surfaced.[15]

1940 upgrade

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In 1940, the new 11-metre (35 ft) wooden Barnston Island tug replaced the obsolete vessel. That year, the circumnavigation of the island ceased.[16] Operational hours were 7am to 7pm.[17][18]

In 1944, a new 4.9-by-16.5-metre (16 by 54 ft) two-truck capacity barge arrived, and an infill above the high-water mark shortened the island landing ramp.[19] In 1945–46, the island landing ramp received minor repairs and a seven-pile dolphin across the river was renewed.[20]

While the fast-flowing river rapidly rose during the Fraser flood of 1948, 35 families, 500 head of cattle, 300 sheep, and numerous poultry, pigs and horses were evacuated on ferry barges adapted with additional railings to corral the livestock.[21] Bypassing the ferry slip then 4.6 metres (15 ft) below water, the B.C. Packers boat Salmon Prince also assisted in the evacuation.[22] In 1949, a freshet took out the island landing ramp, forcing the ferry to land on the beach for months.[23]

At least until the 1950s, a truck would cross on the ferry and pick up the milk churns daily from around the island for delivery to Dairyland. In 1951, the upended wreck of a ferry that sank years previously was destroyed with explosives.[24]

1954 upgrade

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Ferry with Barnston Island in background, 2005

In 1954, a new 18 metres (60 ft) steel barge was built.[25] The Barnston Island No. 3 had a three-vehicle capacity.[26]

Ferry captain since 1930, Len Thompson retired in 1962.[27]

1963 upgrade

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In 1963, the Barnston Island No. 1,[26] a 20-metre (66 ft) steel tug, replaced the wooden one, and the island landing was rebuilt.[28]

In 1984, Western Pacific Marine won the contract to manage the service.[26] The company started operating the service on April 1 of that year.[29]

Later vessels

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The operator has used a series of similar tugs on the route, which included the Centurion V in the early 1990s.[26]

After the 2009 withdrawal of the Albion Ferry, the Barnston Island Ferry, the Lytton Ferry and the Big Bar Ferry became the last remaining free inland ferries on the Fraser. Residents have sought a bridge link for over one hundred years.[5][30]

Propelled by an attached tugboat, the barge[31] can carry up to 6 vehicles and 52 passengers, but when 6 vehicles are aboard, the residual capacity is 28 passengers.[32] The crossing time is usually five minutes. The ferry terminal landing is accessed from British Columbia Highway 1 by taking exit 53 into Port Kells, Surrey and proceeding to the end of 104th Avenue.[31]

The ferry operates under private contract with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and is free of tolls, as are all inland ferries in British Columbia.[33] The operation is Transport Canada Marine Safety inspected annually and all crew members are Transport Canada certified. The crossing operates on-demand from 6:15 am to 11:55 pm (12:55 am weekends). River conditions may interrupt the service. The school bus has boarding priority on school days.[32]

Patronage

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Recent years:[34]

Prior to 1960
Patronage (1922–1947)a (Double these numbers for single trips)
Type Year Page Round
Trips		 Motor
Vehicles		 Horse-
drawn
rigs		 Passengers Freight
(tons)		 Livestock Total
Vehicles
Gas boat 1922–23 C40 01,900 0012       2,669       32          12
1923–24 L38 01,307       8       3,919       63            8
1924–25 Q38 01,443       4,796 00183
1925–26 Q38 01,789       5,152 00196         63
1926–27 P46 02,744       7,921 00175         73
1927–28 U52 02,846          39 0010,847 00145         32          39
1928–29 S60 00963 0032       8,113       67       866          32
1929–30 T74 03,496 0012,564 00210       665
Gas boat & scow 1930–31 G50 06.333 002,853 0038 0014,287 01,871       194 002,891
1931–32 M40 04,927 002,999 0111       8,897 01,036       102 003,110
1932–33 Q36 04,500 003,658 0108       9,307 00730       484 003,766
1933–34 O32 05,671 004,538 0064 0011,045 01,266       295 004,602
1934–35 T37 06,278 005,876 0076 0013,190 01,738       646 005,952
1935–36 I44 07,267 007,463 0097 0015,924 02,308       507 007,560
1936–37 X52 07,382 008,131 0084 0016,290 03,553       462 008,215
1937–38 X55 07,591 008,041 0058 0016,627 02,344       371 008,099
1938–39 Z56 07,496 008,508 0081 0016,824 02,526       310 008,589
1939–40 P56 07,453 007,930 0141 0014,566 02,005       512 008,071
1940–41 O47 07,540 007,977 0034 0013,716 02,279       498 008,011
1941–42 T52 07,442 010,261 0046       9,501 02,270       383 010,307
1942–43 O52 06,567 012,605 0022       6,688 02,540       452 012,627
1943–44 Q52 06,010 006,630 0019       8,330 02,814       583 006,649
1944–45 O51 06,580 012,173 0010       8,112 02,731       759 012,183
1945–46 Q58 06,618 011,544 0010       8,424 03,419       504 011,554
1946–47 P47 05,568 006,649       7       7,692 02,338       237 006,656

^a . Extracted from the respective Ministry of Public Works annual reports.


Patronage (1947–1960)b (Double these numbers for single trips)
Type Year Page Round
Trips		 Passenger
Autos		 Passengers
(Drivers
excluded)		 Trucks Trailers
& Semis		 Buses Motor-
cycles		 Horse-
drawn
rigs		 Freight
(tons)		 Livestock Misc.
Veh.		 Total
Vehicles
Gas
boat
& scow		 1947–48 N56 10,682       6,459       19,285 007,825       35 00300 05,441       619 014,619
1948–49 O60 11,689       6,821       22,031 009,042       56       8 00231       1 06,354 001,855 016,159
1949–50 Q74 11,656       7,789       23,669 008.960         4       1 00256 06,355       662 017,010
1950–51 N77 12,533 0010,225       24,842 008.949       30 0015 00432       3 06,918 000500 019,654
1951–52 P83 14,203 0011,923       29,941 010,688 00118         9       5 09,271       575 0011 022,754
Tug
& scow		 1952–53 O85 14,736 0010,516       33,488 013,132 00201         6 07,936       617 0024 023,879
1953–54 M93 15,493 0013,259       39,197 012,012 00172       10 07,326       694 0048 025,501
1954–55 K95 16,540 0013,606       38,941 012,961 00107         4 07,646       728 0035 026,713
1955–56 N88 17,052 0016,908       38,421 011,162 00159       12       874 0028 028,269
1956–57 J100 16,366 0016,200       36,064 011,373 00127         6       908 0032 027,738
1957–58 G53 18,454 0018,536       54,751 014,487 00198 0013       60       768       6 033,300
1958–59 G36 17,654 0017,477       55,512 014,324 00235 0440       73       701 0047 032,596
1959–60 F41 19,704 0019,407       64,727 020,014 00162 0918       95       6       567 0060 040,662

^b . Extracted from the respective Ministry of Public Works or Ministry of Highways annual reports.

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b Clapp 1991, p. 46.
  2. ^ "Govt. will construct new wharf at Nelson". Daily Building Record. 17 Dec 1913. p. 1 – via UBC Library.
  3. ^ "Barnston Island Residents Welcome Transportation Aids". Vancouver Daily World. 25 May 1916. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com. With the government ferry between Hjorth Road put in operation last week…
  4. ^ a b c d e Clapp 1991, p. 48.
  5. ^ a b "Provincial Happenings". The Daily Colonist. 28 Oct 1917. p. 22 – via the Internet Archive.
  6. ^ Public Works Annual Report 1921–22 (Report). Department of Public Works. September 30, 1922. p. 19 (G11) – via UBC Library.
  7. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1927–28 (Report). Department of Public Works. October 13, 1928. p. 23 (U13) – via UBC Library.
  8. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1929–30 (Report). Department of Public Works. December 16, 1930. p. 23 (T13) – via UBC Library.
  9. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1930–31 (Report). Office of Minister of Public Works. January 19, 1932. p. 9 (G7) – via UBC Library.
  10. ^ Clapp 1991, p. 75.
  11. ^ Public Works annual report, 1932–33 (Report). Office of Minister of Public Works. September 1, 1933. p. Q36 – via UBC Library.
  12. ^ "New Westminster Market". Vancouver Sun. 14 Feb 1936. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com. Producers from Barnston Island….bringing their produce to the mainland on sleighs. Ferry services….suspended.
  13. ^ "Ferry Jammed By Ice...". The Province. 5 Jan 1937. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com. BARNSTON ISLAND….Floating ice, which rammed the ferry against its slip here, tied up service for some time. It was refloated later, but in the meantime residents were forced to cross in rowboats…
  14. ^ "Ferry repairs". Vancouver Sun. 14 May 1937. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Auto Goes In River But Driver Escapes". The Province. 25 Sep 1937. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Clapp 1991, pp. 48–49.
  17. ^ "...At Barnston Island". The Province. 7 Nov 1940. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com. An improved ferry service….at Barnston Island on the arrival….of the new 35-foot boat….constructed to carry….60 cans of milk. A great improvement over the old boat, which has been on the run for more than 10 years, is a spacious and comfortable cabin for passengers. This ferry is unique in the valley as it provides free accommodation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every week day.
  18. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1940–41 (Report). Office of the Minister of Public Works. September 30, 1941. p. 17 (O13) – via UBC Library.
  19. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1943–44 (Report). Office of the Minister of Public Works. November 8, 1944. pp. 29 & 68 (Q18 & Q51) – via UBC Library.
  20. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1945–46 (Report). Office of the Minister of Public Works. November 16, 1946. p. 24 (Q20) – via UBC Library.
  21. ^ Bryant, Sue (3 July 2018). "HISTORY: Memories of 1948 Fraser River floods still run strong". Cloverdale Reporter – via Chilliwack Progress.
  22. ^ "Lush Farms Make Lakes As Fraser Tears Dykes". The Province. 31 May 1948. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com. Ferry landing slips….the end of Hjorth Road, were under 15 feet or more of river water. The small ferry and the B.C. Packers boat Salmon Prince….helping the movement of dairy cattle from the island to the higher ground….
  23. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1948–49 (Report). Office of the Minister of Public Works. November 30, 1949. p. O20 – via UBC Library.
  24. ^ "Obstruction Cleared at Barnston Island Slip". Surrey Leader. 29 Mar 1951. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com. ….public works department….blasting the old Barnston Island ferry scow which sank above the ferry slip. During….1948, the wreck upended and the resulting eddy has been causing considerable erosion….
  25. ^ Public Works Annual Report, 1954–55 (Report). Office of the Minister of Highways. October 6, 1955. p. K27 – via UBC Library.
  26. ^ a b c d Clapp 1991, p. 49.
  27. ^ "Former Barnston ferry captain dies at age 88". Surrey Leader. 22 May 1985. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com. Len Thompson….was the first skipper of the Barnston Island Island Ferry that carried vehicles. He held that position from July 1, 1930 to December 9, 1962…
  28. ^ Highways Annual Report, 1963–64. www.open.library.ubc.ca (Report). p. C55.
  29. ^ Minister of Transportation and Highways Report for the Fiscal Year 1984/85 (Report). Victoria: Government of British Columbia. 1985. p. 268. ISSN 0706-1897.
  30. ^ Johnston, Jesse (5 Mar 2015). "Barnston Island residents want to see ferry replaced with a bridge". CBC News.
  31. ^ a b "Ferry to Barnston Island". www.ourbc.com.
  32. ^ a b "Barnston Island". www.westernpacificmarine.com.
  33. ^ "Inland Ferries". www.gov.bc.ca.
  34. ^ Courtesy of Marine Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Sources

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