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

Locale	Surrey and Barnston Island, British Columbia
Waterway	Parson's Channel, Fraser River
Transit type	Passenger and vehicle ferry
Owner	BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Operator	Western Pacific Marine
No. of lines	1
No. of vessels	1
No. of terminals	2
Website	www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/passenger-travel/water-travel/inland-ferries/barnston-island-ferry

History

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

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

1921 upgrade

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

Recent years:^[34]

Annual automobile equivalents

Annual passengers

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

• List of crossings of the Fraser River
• List of inland ferries in British Columbia

References

Citations

1. 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. Clapp 1991, p. 48.
5. "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. 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. "Ferry to Barnston Island". www.ourbc.com.
32. "Barnston Island". www.westernpacificmarine.com.
33. "Inland Ferries". www.gov.bc.ca.
34. Courtesy of Marine Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Sources

• Clapp, Frank A. (1991). Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Lake and River Ferries. Ministry of Transportation and Highways. ISBN 0-7726-1364-8.

External links

• . www.pbase.com. Archived from the original on 2010-07-18.49°11′32″N 122°43′29″W / 49.1922°N 122.7248°W / 49.1922; -122.7248