Trillium Ferry

Trillium

There are two plaques about this ferry.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December, 2010

This 2010 Heritage Toronto plaque, located inside the paid fare zone of the Ferry Docks Terminal at the foot of Bay Street, has this to say:

Plaque coordinates: 43.640439 -79.375004

Docked here at the mainland ferry terminal is Trillium, a rare side-paddle steam ferry launched in 1910. The double-end, double-deck ferry was built locally by Polson Iron Works at the foot of Sherbourne Street. Trillium was one of a fleet of ferries that transported residents, cottagers, and pleasure seekers to and from Toronto Island, a popular summer destination.

Trillium was privately owned by the Toronto Ferry Company until 1926 when ferry service became the responsibility of the municipal government. Steam-powered ferries were gradually replaced with modern diesel vessels and in 1956, Trillium was officially retired. The ferry was towed to a lagoon near Gibraltar Point where it remained for 16 years, until concerned citizens and politicians convinced Metropolitan Toronto to return it to service. In 1976, after two years of painstaking rehabilitation, Trillium began steaming across the harbour again with its original engine intact.

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted May, 2010

Photo Source - Wikimedia Commons

On a wall inside the ferry is this 1985 Toronto Historical Board plaque. Here's what it says:

The Toronto Ferry Company's new steam ferry Trillium, built by Polson Iron Works, was launched 18 June 1910, and two weeks later she began 46 seasons of carrying pleasure seekers across Toronto Bay. In 1926 she was purchased by the City for the Toronto Transportation Commission. Following her retirement from regular duty in 1956 she was purchased by Metropolitan Toronto and towed to an island lagoon near Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, where she remained for sixteen years. The efforts of concerned citizens resulted in the approval of funds by Metropolitan Toronto Council for her restoration, completed 7 November 1975.

Related Toronto plaques
Toronto Island
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse

More
Transportation

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