Lorraine S & Hornby Island V

[Low Light Mike]

At Nanaimo today (right at Nanaimo Shipyard, next to Kwuna), I spotted a landing-craft type ferry.

On her side was painted "Northwest Ferries - Glory Island".

So I took some pictures:






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I've googled the names on the ship, and here's a webpage that I found. I don't really understand the webpage, but it's TV related, and I'm wondering if this ship was featured on some TV show?
www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/glory_days/grim_ferrytale.php

Can anyone figure out if this ship was in a TV show? And is it a local working ship? (or just a retired ship hanging around Newcastle Channel in Nanaimo?).!

[Neil]

I think this Wikipedia entry will explain it:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_Days_(TV_series)

It looks like the link you posted was to a recap of the first episode of the TV series 'Glory Days', which I'm not familiar with. It was filmed in Vancouver.

I've never seen that vessel around. It obviously never got repainted after its brief TV career. I looked up 'Glory Island' in the Transport Canada registry, to no avail. Interesting find.

[Low Light Mike]

Thanks for the Wiki link and interpretation, Neil.

Nanaimo is so rich in TV culture ;D

...and some of our coastal Ferry stories seem like fiction, but are real.

[Deleted]

Glory Days was filmed in 2002 and was a short lived TV show which only showed 9 of it's episodes before being cancelled. The original pilot show was never shown.

There is a rumour that a new show is in production named " Glory Days " but because it is still in production details are not available.

Perhaps that ship is from the new show or it came out of mothballs from the old show for the new one?

[Neil]

I'll try to find more photos to make this thread worthwhile, but for now, here's a link to the only colour photos I've seen of these little vessels, which were, as far as I know, the only ferries on our coast to have been built by residents of the island they serve; in this case, the Savoie family. (Not counting those boats built in major yards on Vancouver Island, of course.)

www.workinglives.ca/ferries/ferry-service.html

[Low Light Mike]

If you want some musical pictures of these two Savoie-built ships, listen to this song, that's on the website that Neil referenced.

www.workinglives.ca/ferries/song-albert-j-savoie.html

The link to the MP3 is on the right side of the page.

[compdude787]

It would be nice to find out some more info about these ferries, as I couldn't find anything by doing a google search. All I found were Ancestry.com entries for people named "Lorraine S."

It's too bad that the site mentioned by Neil is no longer available. It wasn't archived in the Wayback Machine either.

[Low Light Mike]

Jun 17, 2013 11:59:07 GMT -8 compdude787 said:

It would be nice to find out some more info about these ferries, as I couldn't find anything by doing a google search. All I found were Ancestry.com entries for people named "Lorraine S."

It's too bad that the site mentioned by Neil is no longer available. It wasn't archived in the Wayback Machine either.

You can find more information of the ships that were built and operated by Mr. Albert J. Savoie here, at this link:
ferriesbc.proboards.com/post/57648/thread

[Neil]

On Saturday, I was enjoying one of my long walks around the island- literally, around the island- and as I passed by Phipps Point, I remembered that I had previously noticed what looked like a nameboard from the Lorraine S hanging over the front of a garage on the way down to the point. So, I walked down, and a chap was working in the yard, and I asked him about the sign. He confirmed that it was indeed off the Lorraine S, and it was probably the last surviving piece of the vessel. After the Highways Ministry took over the Hornby route from the Savoie family in 1971 and the Albert J. Savoie was put on it, the Lorraine S was burnt on the beach. The home built vessel was not constructed of the sturdiest materials, being cobbled together with what could be purchased through donations and loans and the Savoie resources, and was at the end of its useful life.

Jack, the fellow I met, turned out to be the son in law of Doris Savoie, widow of Leo, who along with brother Albert, were apparently the principals of the operation. A third brother, Francis, still lives on the island. I had the pleasure of meeting Doris and having a long chat with her. The garage with the signboard is at her house, where she has lived since marrying Leo in 1956.

The Lorraine S, a six car ferry, and its predecessor, the Hornby Island V, which carried two cars, were built at Phipps Point, along with a number of sizeable fishing vessels owned by the Savoies and other island families. It was a decent little industry, with a couple of construction sheds, the platform of at least one still remaining. The ferries were built with no government aid, and there was no guarantee of any operating subsidy initially.

When I said to Doris how remarkable I thought it was that Hornby was the only island in BC or Washington where islanders built their own car ferries, on the island, she replied that that was always the Hornby way. Isolation and self-resourcefulness finds solutions to problems. Doris was the first ambulance driver on Hornby, by virtue of having the only station wagon big enough to function as safe transport. Clinics, credit unions, co-ops, and even ferries, were constructed by islanders coming together.

Makes me think of those city types who sneeringly refer to islanders and their supposed sense of entitlement about BC Ferries service. But I digress.

This evening I went to the Thatch pub for dinner, partly because I wanted to photograph the large photo of the Lorraine S on her final sailing in '71. To my dismay, it's no longer there, but apparently the senior publican will be able to let me know what happened to it. Guess that means another excuse for a pint.

In our talk, Doris Savoie said that Francis would have a lot more information on the particulars of the Savoie family's ferry operation, but I neglected to ask her about his age or health or willingness to talk to strangers about things. Something to look into in the near future.

Doris Savoie couldn't remember which of the two cement piers at Gravelly Bay on Denman were used by the Savoie boats. Perhaps Francis Savoie will recall.

[Low Light Mike]

Jul 8, 2013 19:38:17 GMT -8 Neil said:

On Saturday, I was enjoying one of my long walks around the island- literally, around the island- and as I passed by Phipps Point...

I love reading posts like this where my jaw drops and I simply mutter "oh, my...."

Neil, thanks for taking the time to articulate this experience for us readers. It was a very enjoyable read. I love these nuggets of history that only appear in small random doses whenever a new part is uncovered of a time that is long gone.

[Neil]

Today, I purchased this 9'x13' photograph of the Lorraine S, from 1971, the year Highways took over the service and put the Albert J Savoie on. The photographer is Bob Cain, www.rcainphoto.com/ ... he has a section of ferry photos on his site, for viewing and purchase.

I added the camera strap on purpose, to make sure he wouldn't mind me photographing his photo. No, really.

[Low Light Mike]

Aug 5, 2013 16:26:36 GMT -8 Neil said:

Today, I purchased this 9'x13' photograph of the Lorraine S, from 1971, the year Highways took over the service and put the Albert J Savoie on. The photographer is Bob Cain, www.rcainphoto.com/ ... he has a section of ferry photos on his site, for viewing and purchase.

Thanks for posting that photo and the link to Mr. Cain's work.

If you were into Photoshop software, you could probably photoshop the "Dung Bomb" onto the Lorraine S.

====================

I encourage everyone to check this link, go to "ferries" on the right-side menu, and then enjoy (once at the bottom, click on "older posts" for more).
- for more colour, read the various replies to the photos.

[Low Light Mike]

Here's someone's home movie from a 1962 trip to Denman & Hornby.

Ferry footage is of the Catherine Graham (I think) and the Lorraine S.

[Neil]

Aug 6, 2014 17:39:03 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Here's someone's home movie from a 1962 trip to Denman & Hornby.

Ferry footage is of the Catherine Graham (I think) and the Lorraine S.

Yes, that was the Catherine Graham. When I was twelve, I convinced my mother to go to Denman, just to ride the ferry... but I couldn't talk her into taking the car, which would have allowed me to ride the Lorraine S., and  sample Hornby, decades before I moved here.

Really cool to get that glimpse of Whaling Station, before all the cabins and houses ringed the bay. I can't tell for sure, but the cabins at the Spit look pretty similar to those there today.

Thank you for finding and posting that video, Mr Horn. It may be the only footage of those humble little vessels... one of them, home built.

[Starsteward]

Aug 6, 2014 21:18:09 GMT -8 Neil said:

Aug 6, 2014 17:39:03 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Here's someone's home movie from a 1962 trip to Denman & Hornby.

Ferry footage is of the Catherine Graham (I think) and the Lorraine S.

Yes, that was the Catherine Graham. When I was twelve, I convinced my mother to go to Denman, just to ride the ferry... but I couldn't talk her into taking the car, which would have allowed me to ride the Lorraine S., and  sample Hornby, decades before I moved here.

Really cool to get that glimpse of Whaling Station, before all the cabins and houses ringed the bay. I can't tell for sure, but the cabins at the Spit look pretty similar to those there today.

Thank you for finding and posting that video, Mr Horn. It may be the only footage of those humble little vessels... one of them, home built.

    A wonderful glimpse into life 'back in the day', an unhurried, quieter, gentler time for sure.

    It's amusing how our parents (fortunately) got away without donning us all with life vests, floater devices etc. when we played in the water, but hey, we survived.

    The ferry ride reminded me of the rickety condition of what passed for ferries back then. What no snack bar or potable water?? Oh, I forgot, the potable water tap is

    on the 'Nimpkish'

[Neil]

Don't know how I missed this...

Western Mariner's March 2014 issue carried this article on the Lorraine S.2, which, to my surprise, is still with us. Forty three years after she was retired from- as far as I know- the only ferry run she ever sailed, she is now found somewhere in Ladysmith harbour, in a state of decay.

The article mentions a role in a very short lived TV series, 'Glory Days', on the American WB network. This series lasted only nine episodes in 2002, and a few episodes can be found on youtube. I looked at the beginning of the initial show, titled 'Grim Ferrytales', and there were some tight shots of the boat... I'll look at the whole episode to see what other shots there are of the Lorraine, although the bit of script and acting I saw gave a good indication as to why the show didn't last. I remember reading about the series being shot in BC, and saw photos of the ferry, but I don't recall connecting the dots as to this being the Lorraine S.

In any event, another reminder of the role Western Mariner magazine plays in keeping us abreast of maritime affairs, present and past. Article posted with permission from the publisher. Couldn't use the pdf file David Rahn sent me, and my stupid scanner won't do a type & photo story as a jpeg, hence the photo.

[Low Light Mike]

Oct 23, 2014 19:15:54 GMT -8 Neil said:

Don't know how I missed this...

Western Mariner's March 2014 issue carried this article on the Lorraine S.2, which, to my surprise, is still with us. Forty three years after she was retired from- as far as I know- the only ferry run she ever sailed, she is now found somewhere in Ladysmith harbour, in a state of decay.

Neil, I saw that article too, and I didn't mention it because I assumed that the "Lorraine S. 2" is not the same as the old Hornby ferry "Lorraine S." (without the "2").

For for the Glory Island boat, I've now merged on old thread on that boat into this here thead. See top of this thread.

[Neil]

Oct 23, 2014 20:02:39 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Oct 23, 2014 19:15:54 GMT -8 Neil said:

Don't know how I missed this...

Western Mariner's March 2014 issue carried this article on the Lorraine S.2, which, to my surprise, is still with us. Forty three years after she was retired from- as far as I know- the only ferry run she ever sailed, she is now found somewhere in Ladysmith harbour, in a state of decay.

Neil, I saw that article too, and I didn't mention it because I assumed that the "Lorraine S. 2" is not the same as the old Hornby ferry "Lorraine S." (without the "2").

For for the Glory Island boat, I've now merged on old thread on that boat into this here thead. See top of this thread.

"I've never seen that vessel around."... Neil, Oct 10, 2009, WCFF.

D'oh!

Actually, I'd been looking at a photo of it, a big one, in The Thatch pub for years. Somehow, the little light bulb in my brain didn't go on.

The Lorraine S looked really good in the photos you posted. Hard to believe she was still sailing at least until 2002, when that series aired, 31 years after her last voyage to Hornby. Obviously, she's not doing so well now.

[Neil]

The Lorraine S. 2  in retirement, on the beach at Phipps Point, Hornby Island, where she was built. Photo by George McLachlan, courtesy of John McLachlan of Hornby.

[Low Light Mike]

Feb 13, 2015 10:14:05 GMT -8 Neil said:

The Lorraine S. 2  in retirement, on the beach at Phipps Point, Hornby Island, where she was built. Photo by George McLachlan, courtesy of John McLachlan of Hornby.

Lovely. Thanks for that.

"ashes to ashes, dust to dust, beach to beach"

Neil, regarding the name "Lorraine S. 2", do you know why there is the "2." I don't recall there ever being a previous Lorraine S.
....unless the first one was a beach raft prototype that fell apart before it could be completed.

[Neil]

Mr Horn: The Savoies started transporting people into Comox in 1923, and they had a shipyard at Phipps Point, so I imagine that at some point before 1961 there was a Lorraine S., but I don't know what sort of craft that would have been.

On a related note, it's not known when the first steamer stopped at Hornby, but the first recorded visit seems to be the Union's Coquitlam, around 1890. CPR's Joan was recorded visiting in 1892. By the time the Savoies launched the Hornby Island V in 1953, the CPR had stopped calling. Hornby Island: The Ebb and Flow by Smith & Gerow is not clear as to whether the Union had stopped by then as well.

[EGfleet]

Feb 13, 2015 10:31:07 GMT -8 Low Light Mike said:

Feb 13, 2015 10:14:05 GMT -8 Neil said:

The Lorraine S. 2  in retirement, on the beach at Phipps Point, Hornby Island, where she was built. Photo by George McLachlan, courtesy of John McLachlan of Hornby.

Lovely. Thanks for that.

"ashes to ashes, dust to dust, beach to beach"

Neil, regarding the name "Lorraine S. 2", do you know why there is the "2." I don't recall there ever being a previous Lorraine S.
....unless the first one was a beach raft prototype that fell apart before it could be completed.

Might it be a similar case as was with the Chinook?  Perhaps there was already a Lorraine S out on the water somewhere so they were forced to add the "2" just like Black Ball did with the Chinook.

[Neil]

Some more shots of the Lorraine S. 2, all taken by George McLachlan, and kindly forwarded to me by John McLachlan of Hornby Island. First two show her approaching Gravelly Bay in 1969. The two cement pillars of the berth are still there, and logging is clearly in evidence on Mt Geoffrey.

This shot shows the wooden planks on the car deck- 1963.

At Phipps Point, 1965. Apparently out of the water for some maintenance.

Back in 1967, Transport Canada wasn't too strict about age requirements for captains, particularly on land.

[Low Light Mike]

Feb 16, 2015 12:23:24 GMT -8 Neil said:

Some more shots of the Lorraine S. 2, all taken by George McLachlan, and kindly forwarded to me by John McLachlan of Hornby Island. First two show her approaching Gravelly Bay in 1969. The two cement pillars of the berth are still there, and logging is clearly in evidence on Mt Geoffrey.

Thanks very much for getting those photos and posting them here. And big thanks to the McLachlan family for preserving this history.

[Neil]

1966 video of the Lorraine S.2 at Shingle Spit, from Hornby's john McLachlan.

Lorraine

(post transferred here from wrong thread.)