History of the ferries that plied between Kingston and Wolfe Island
(a talk by Brian Johnson)

January 22, 2011

Speaker Brian Johnson, senior captain on the ferry Wolfe Islander III, presented a most interesting history of the ferries that plied between Kingston and Wolfe Island.

Looking at today’s 55-car ferry, you would not realize that some Loyalists arrived overland at the northern border of New York state — Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River — and needed to load a wagon, a horse, perhaps some cattle or oxen and probably a few chickens, to say nothing of their family members, onto a wooden ferry that would sail them around Wolfe Island, or else take them to the south side of the Island. From there they would have to trudge across the island to the north side, and take another ferry to Kingston. Captain Johnson brought an impressive display of documents, memorabilia and photos, and showed many others via computer.

Members continued to ask questions and study the display long after his talk. A most enjoyable afternoon. Watch for announcement of the appearance of Brian Johnson’s forthcoming book, Ferry Stories from Wolfe Island.