Post by Retrovision on Aug 25, 2010 8:16:20 GMT -8
The Eena, Built 1919 at Yarrows Shipyard in Victoria for the provincial government, is best known as the second Gabriola Island ferry, but, according to "Harbour city: Nanaimo in transition, 1920-1967" by Jan Peterson (Heritage House Publishing Co., 2006), "For many years she worked on the Fraser until the George Massey Tunnel (a.k.a. Deas Island Tunnel) opened, and at the Agassiz-Rosedale and the Albion-Fort Langley crossings; then she was retired to New Westminster. She became the Gabriola ferry in 1955."
According to the very comprehensive work of the Gabriola Museum (found here: www.gabriolamuseum.org/ferry.html ), the Eena had a capacity of 12 vehicles and 70 passenger utilizing two Ruston-Hornsby diesels of 106 hp each. Also from the museum's site is the fact that she was the last ferry running to Gabriola before the Ministry of Transportation took over the route, as shown here:
Jan Peterson's book continues:
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From:
Eena Departing Descanso Bay, Gabriola Island by indyinsane, on Flickr
According to the very comprehensive work of the Gabriola Museum (found here: www.gabriolamuseum.org/ferry.html ), the Eena had a capacity of 12 vehicles and 70 passenger utilizing two Ruston-Hornsby diesels of 106 hp each. Also from the museum's site is the fact that she was the last ferry running to Gabriola before the Ministry of Transportation took over the route, as shown here:
Regular scheduled ferry service to Gabriola Island as a government subsidized operation began 01 August, 1931
-ferry license give to, Higgs Gabriola Ferry LTD.
-first ferry the newly built five-car side and back-loading ATREVIDA into service.
-In 1947, the route was taken over by the Gabriola Ferry Company.
-In 1955 EENA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 12 cars took over the route.
-in 1961 it was taken over by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways.
-In 1964 WESTWOOD a ferry with vehicle Capacity 16 cars took over the route.
-In 1972 KLATAWA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 26 cars took over the route.
-In 1973 KAHLOKE a ferry with vehicle Capacity ? cars took over the route.
-in 1977 QUINITSA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 50 cars took over the route.
-In 1982 QUINSAM a ferry with vehicle Capacity 70 cars took over the route.
-In 1985 the route and ferry joined the BC Ferry Corporation.
-ferry license give to, Higgs Gabriola Ferry LTD.
-first ferry the newly built five-car side and back-loading ATREVIDA into service.
-In 1947, the route was taken over by the Gabriola Ferry Company.
-In 1955 EENA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 12 cars took over the route.
-in 1961 it was taken over by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways.
-In 1964 WESTWOOD a ferry with vehicle Capacity 16 cars took over the route.
-In 1972 KLATAWA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 26 cars took over the route.
-In 1973 KAHLOKE a ferry with vehicle Capacity ? cars took over the route.
-in 1977 QUINITSA a ferry with vehicle Capacity 50 cars took over the route.
-In 1982 QUINSAM a ferry with vehicle Capacity 70 cars took over the route.
-In 1985 the route and ferry joined the BC Ferry Corporation.
Jan Peterson's book continues:
Parker Williams joined the three-man crew of the Eena in March 1957 as the engineer. During the winter, the ferry made four return trips a day, with an extra late-night trip on Friday; an extra sailing was added during the summer. Parker recalled that the trips in fog were always difficult; there was no radio or radar, only a magnetic compass and a wind-up alarm. The ferry used the CPR dock at Cameron Island. Returning to Gabriola Island, she headed to Gallows Point foghorn on Protection Island, which was operated by a lighthouse keeper. After that it was full speed ahead for about 13 minutes until a whistle echo was picked up from the bluffs on the island. "This would get us close enough to pick up the shoreline and follow it into Descanso Bay." Other vessels using the waterways whistled their presence during foggy conditions. It was just as difficult finding the CPR dock on the return trip, as it had no navigational aids
Vehicles boarded through the side of the ship. Drivers had to make a sharp 90-degree turn to get into the fore and aft lanes. Local residents were very proficient at this manoeuvre, but strangers found it a little intimidating. This also limited the size of trucks that could be carried. When a new dock was constructed in 1957 it was possible to end load, at least on the Gabriola side. A new dock was build on the Nanaimo side in 1960. It was still a difficult operation, as all the ramps were raised and lowered manually.
In February 1962, the provincial government purchased the Eena. The sailing was then under the administration of the Department of Highways. Several years passed before the Nanaimo-Gabriola run became an integral part of B.C. Ferries Corporation.
Vehicles boarded through the side of the ship. Drivers had to make a sharp 90-degree turn to get into the fore and aft lanes. Local residents were very proficient at this manoeuvre, but strangers found it a little intimidating. This also limited the size of trucks that could be carried. When a new dock was constructed in 1957 it was possible to end load, at least on the Gabriola side. A new dock was build on the Nanaimo side in 1960. It was still a difficult operation, as all the ramps were raised and lowered manually.
In February 1962, the provincial government purchased the Eena. The sailing was then under the administration of the Department of Highways. Several years passed before the Nanaimo-Gabriola run became an integral part of B.C. Ferries Corporation.
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From:
BRITISH COLUMBIA IN PICTURES
by Richard Harrington
(Text by Lyn Harrington)
Copyright, Canada, 1958 / Thomas Nelson & Sons (Canada) Limited
Designed by Frank Newfeld
Printed and bound in Canada by T.H. Best Printing Co., Ltd.
by Richard Harrington
(Text by Lyn Harrington)
Copyright, Canada, 1958 / Thomas Nelson & Sons (Canada) Limited
Designed by Frank Newfeld
Printed and bound in Canada by T.H. Best Printing Co., Ltd.
Eena Departing Descanso Bay, Gabriola Island by indyinsane, on Flickr
