Comment by: Jack Patterson ( )
Left at: 12:03 AM Monday, August 22, 2011
Wow. I notice 'orange' line- perhaps the ferry route(?) (Steamer Captain Visger, Steamer Valeria, it says) goes between 'Robbins'(now, Picton)and the lower end of Grindstone. Also it- one steamer, at least, is shown going (on it's way to Gananoque) between the small island at the foot of Sugar Island and (now) Prince Regent (Prince Regent is shown on the map - in capital letters, as McDONALDS, I assume, Island.)
Unlikely to me anyone would choose that route. Small boats can pass that way. A skilled captain maybe but route is shown close on the nose of (now) Boundary Island and then westerly in the passage as just stated. Very unlikely. Rock strewn- then shoal water if hugging the small isle below Sugar; no route for a 'steamer'(notice too line goes to the south of Jackstraw...is where the rocks are.)
So, the 'orange' line is likely 'about' the route the steamers took. Brings to mind also, no one person could have known, personally held in their own mind, ALL the information provided by this 'map'! Would be beyond what a single person could grasp and remember, yes?
If Narrows more shoal bound then than now, I would think it still a preferable route (1898 map shows Narrows beacon/light). If true, however, that they did follow a route below Sugar instead of the Narrows route, makes more sense my memories as a child of hearing the ferry nights from, in effect, a cabin at the east end of Axeman. Ferry, I assume, ran for several years after the bridge construction ended in 1938.
Maybe- for now, finally, map 'title' says, and I quote, "Occupied Islands and Points are Indicated in Capitals." Capitals is smudged but seems correct, yes?
If so, only two in 'caps'... or occupied islands (McDONALDS & STAVE)as per the definition, in the entire Lake Fleet Group at that time, yes?
One last: ACA meet shown on Stave 1898. There is a bronze plaque on a ledge in the grass at Headquarters Bay on Sugar Island that says, more or less- "Sugar Island purchased by ACA in 1898".
Maybe i'll have to paddle over and (double) check...
A few things one person can fiind.
What about you?