P6841

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Details

ID Number

P6841

Item Name

Image

Title

Railcar Ferry Great Western / Le traversier de wagon 'Great Western'

Title (Fre)

Le traversier de wagon 'Great Western'

Description

Black and white photograph of the railcar ferry, the Great Western; the ferry is docked at a pier on the right and railway tracks are visible adjacent to the ferry; the dock is also visible in the foreground of the photo; the ferry is a large boat with three decks; the bottom deck is mostly closed, however, the interior of this deck (partially visible at the right of the photo) encompasses both the first and middle decks; the outside edge of the second deck has a balcony running along the side of the ferry; the top deck is uncovered; there is a small cabin at the right side and there are two large smokestacks on the left; passengers are visible on all three decks.

History

The Great Western was the first ferry built to carry railway cars and passengers across the river and the accommodations included a fine dining room. Built in the mid-1860s, the Great Western was known locally as the "iron boat" since she was the first vessel in this area to have a hull constructed entirely of iron. She initially had a full length enclosure built over her tracks which made her resemble a floating tube. The company realized, however, that the tube turned into a wind tunnel in strong winds and was eventually removed. The iron hull was built in Glasgow, Scotland and sent to Henry Jenking in Walkerville for assmebly. The engine was built in Dundas, Ontario and she was launched on September 6, 1866.

Place made

Canada - Ontario - Windsor

Collection Name

Museum Windsor

Topic

Detroit River / Rivière Détroit

Subjects

Ferries / Traversiers

Great Western

Great Western Railway / Chemin de fer Great Western

Jenking, Henry

Passengers / Passagers

Piers & wharves / Appontements et quais

Railroad companies / Compagnies de chemin de fer

Railroad tracks / Voie ferrée

Rivers / Cours d'eau

Related Objects

P5005