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Page 62 The former OTTAWA MAYBROOK; now the new Wolfe Island Ferry, MS WOLFE ISLANDER, shortly before leaving Collingwood Shipyard, Nov. 6, 1946. By mid October Captain George Bates and Chief Engineer Sylvester Murray seemed satisfied with the new ship. She had responded well in her trial runs out on Georgian Bay with a moderate sea running. The steering wheel was mounted on the after bulkhead in the wheelhouse and Captain Bates felt that eventually this should change, for she was a ferry now, not a long voyage coaster. Arriving just a week earlier, Captain Bates noted with pride the new name painted in white letters over her gleaming black hull: Wolfe Islander. She belonged to them now. This seemed strange at first, for the WOLFE ISLANDER was his ship, the former wooden paddlewheel steamer from a bygone era he remembered so well. Compared to this beautiful new vessel, the smaller 01' Wolfe Islander would pass quietly into history, resting on the south shore of Wolfe Island. The wheelhouse and accommodation decks of the new ship remained aft following the original plan but the forward heavy mast was removed. Her huge bow flared outward just aft of the foc'sle because of the added sponsons to her hulL The wide car deck now measured forty three feet covered with a smooth layer of asphalt. The original high bulwarks along the sides were gone and two vehicle ramps were added just forward of the midship line with two smaller passenger ramps located further aft by the passenger decks. The crew accommodation was located aft on the main deck while one deck above, a large passenger salon was added with varnished wooden benches around the perimeter. Mounted on the bulkheads by the windows were gimballed brass lanterns. On Wednesday, November 6, Senior Ferry Captain Jim Haylock of the Department of Highways Ferry Service rang the engine room for half astern and the new ferry departed Collingwood for Kingston. Among those aboard were Captain George Bates who acted as first mate for the trip with Collingwood Captain James Darling as pilot. Acting Chief Engineer Charles Reid from Collingwood was assisted by engineer Sylvester Murray. Other crew members were Elmer Kane and young Richard F. Fawcett, both from Wolfe Island. Photo from The Wolfe Island Historical Society Collection