Latest news with #steamboat
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
This southern N.B. wharf was bustling with steamboat commuters a century ago
What is now a quiet riverbank was once a bustling transportation link for the residents of Wickham a century ago. Before railways and highways, steamboats used to chugged up and down the river from wharf to wharf, picking up passengers and cargo, said Roadside History explorer James Upham. "Say 1914, 1913, if we were standing here at about quarter to six in the morning, there'd be a steamboat waiting right there to run a commuter service," he said. The Wickham Wharf that Upham is referring to is nearly 50 kilometres north of Saint John on the eastern bank of the St. John River. "It's kind of amazing to imagine what is currently a very sleepy little community at one point being able to sustain its own commuter steamboat service," said Upham. He said Wickham was once "one of the busiest spots in this entire region" and the main point of import and export for the community. People in the area would gather on the wharf each morning in the summer in order to commute to Saint John to work for the day. The commute was two hours compared to what is now a roughly one-hour drive by car. But, two hours on a steamboat was much more peaceful than the morning traffic some face in New Brunswick's cities, said Upham. "Basically no traffic, plus you could just put your feet up and have a cup of tea and watch the absolutely gorgeous St. John River go past you as you're heading off to work in the morning." One of the boats that operated from the Wickham Wharf was the Oconee, whose captain's last name was Taylor. According to Upham and the provincial archives, the Oconee was originally a tugboat called the Stella Marie before it was lengthened by Taylor. The archives website says the boat was renamed on June 13, 1912. It was the last of its kind on the St. John River and was scuttled, or destroyed, on March 1, 1927. On vessels like the Oconee, there were amenities for travellers, explained Upham. Meal service was available with locally grown food, dessert and coffee or tea. "There was a saying in the latter part of the 1800s that it was cheaper to travel than to stay home because ... for pennies, you could get a full, like, four-course meal." Upham said companies would hire the best cooks, with the hopes of luring people onto their ships over their rivals' on the river. Point of competition The river's wharves were also grounds for competition, as steamboat captains raced to pick up the most commuters. Upham said some people had their preferred ship to travel on. Along with the Oconee, the Victoria and the David Weston were also plying the waters at that time. "If you were the first steamboat to get to a wharf, you usually got all the business that was on that wharf and the next steamboat coming along would have to just sort of put up with whoever got there late." One trick used by steamboat captains was to leave someone on the wharf with the task of flagging down other steamboats in order to slow them down. While they picked up a single passenger, other steamboats would work their way down the river to busier stops. "That guy waiting on the wharf waited for the next steamboat to get close enough and then started waving his handkerchief furiously so they had to pull over and pick up one person." Upham said stories like these were written by Donald Taylor, whose father ran the Oconee, and who also became a steamboat captain.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Wanda III ready to set sail in Muskoka after 4 years of renovations
The Wanda III on the open waters in Gravenhurst, Ont. After four years of renovations the Wanda III is set to soon sail on the Muskoka Lakes in Gravenhurst. The steamboat was originally built for Mrs. Timothy Eaton in the early 1900s as a personal yacht to use during the summers. The vessel has since undergone an extensive restoration and refurbishment. John Miller, president of Muskoka Steamships and Discovery Centre, said the steam engine on the iconic ship has been removed. 'Everything runs off electric power, our propulsion engines have large battery banks and we look forward to seeing what the performance is going to be like,' he added. Miller calls the upgrade 'sustainable heritage.' 'We've taken a vessel from 1915 that's relatively the same as she was when she was built, and we've electrified her and put her in a boathouse so, she's got all the all the things she needs to remain here for generations,' he noted. Wanda III The Wanda III undergoes restoration and refurbishment inside a newly constructed boathouse in Gravenhurst, Ont. (Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre) As for the experience, the interior of the ship has remained the same as it was over 100 years ago. 'It's an exclusive trip to be on Wanda because we've got salons down below where you can sit and relax, maybe have a bite to eat or a glass of wine coffee,' said Miller. 'Up above, there's going to be chairs on the upper deck and that's where people spend the most time when the weather is really nice.' The vessel is 94 feet long and 12 feet wide. The finishing touches are currently underway with the ship expected to hit the open waters later this summer. Miller believes in preserving the steam ships is important and beneficial. 'So future generations can come by and enjoy them,' he said. 'So they can learn the stories about the about the history of these vessels on our lakes.'
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
Wollongong man completes mammoth six-year steamboat build in backyard
Ask Andrew Scobie his secret to building a 20th-century steamboat in his backyard shed and he will say it took a "couple of cups of coffee and maybe a couple of beers". The Wollongong man spent up to three hours a day for six years working on the passion project, all because he was tired of watching television. "I was bored … so I thought it'd be nice to tinker in the shed," Mr Scobie said. "And quite a few years back, I built a model steam train with my father so we thought, 'We like all things mechanical, so let's venture onto a new project.'" The 58-year-old has now completed a seven-seater steam-powered vessel designed for family adventures on some of Australia's most picturesque waterways. It was inspired by the Edwardian era of steam travel and incorporates authentic details like shiny brass fixtures, red leather seats, a steam engine and chimney. "If you were on a boat, for instance, and had a loose bit of timber, it was a very easy fuel source and mode of transport." The University of Wollongong staffer, husband and father financed the entire build and had all mechanical elements certified. Mr Scobie said he enjoyed making it a social activity with friends and his father, who earnt a living as a steam ship engineer. "I sourced the hull skin and then started to do some of the fitting out. Around that time, a friend had the boiler certified," he said. Just a few weeks out from the boat's maiden voyage, Mr Scobie's father Clarke died. "We were trying and pushing this last year and a half, putting a lot more hours in," said daughter Caitlyn Scobie. "Obviously he didn't make it but that's OK … I think he'd be really proud." Mr Scobie paid homage to his dad by wearing his former sailing uniform during the boat's first run last weekend. "We had a lot of time for each other, talking engineering and other things. It was a great connection we had over the years," he said. The moment was witnessed by dozens of boating enthusiasts and Shell Cove locals, some of whom could not help but cheer as the boat's belly hit the water. After a successful lap around the marina, Mr Scobie said his hobby build would be put to good use. "I look forward to the next weeks, months, years enjoying sunny days like this on the water," he said.
