In 1913, the Canadian Pacific Railway withdrew steamboat services on the Fraser, leaving the island farmers with no realistic way to transport their produce to market.[1] That year, a government wharf was built.[2]
In response to petitions from residents,[1] the government ferry began operating in May 1916.[3] This cable ferry had previously been used at the Pitt River crossing. However, floating driftwood and the underwater cable snagging fishing nets made the vessel unsuitable for the new location.[4]
The next year, the ferry underwent a complete overhaul. Services were suspended during the spring high water for six weeks, and during winter when ice floes were hazardous, which proved inconvenient for the transportation of milk, grain, hay and potatoes.[5]
In 1918, the introduction of a gasoline boat, which pushed a small scow, enabled the carrying of passengers and limited produce.[4]
1921 upgrade
A larger gasoline launch was purchased in 1921.[6] Substandard road conditions meant this 12-metre (38 ft) former fishing boat circumnavigated the island to load milk churns at various collection points.[4] By 1927, the boat, which ran continuously during peak periods, was becoming old and inadequate.[7]
1930 upgrade
In 1930, the boat was replaced[8] and a larger barge built.[9] The 9.8-metre (32 ft) tug pushed the 11-metre (36 ft) barge, which could carry two vehicles.[4] This beginning of vehicle transportation[10] reflected increased vehicle numbers on the island and improved roads. After leaving the barge at the slipway, the tug continued to make a milk trip around the island.[4] By 1933, travel was free, but the year tolls were removed is unclear.[11]
When the river froze solid during winter, produce could be skated across the ice.[12] In the 1936–37 winter, the ferry was refloated after floating ice had rammed it against the island slip.[13] While the ferry was being overhauled, the upgrade service was limited to foot traffic.[14] That September, while backing a car at the mainland slip, a ferry worker drove into the river. After struggling to exit the submerged vehicle, he finally surfaced.[15]
1940 upgrade
In 1940, the new 11-metre (35 ft) wooden Barnston Island tug replaced the obsolete vessel. That year, the circumnavigation of the island ceased.[16] Operational hours were 7am to 7pm.[17][18]
In 1944, a new 4.9-by-16.5-metre (16 by 54 ft) two-truck capacity barge arrived, and an infill above the high-water mark shortened the island landing ramp.[19] In 1945–46, the island landing ramp received minor repairs and a seven-pile dolphin across the river was renewed.[20]
While the fast-flowing river rapidly rose during the Fraser flood of 1948, 35 families, 500 head of cattle, 300 sheep, and numerous poultry, pigs and horses were evacuated on ferry barges adapted with additional railings to corral the livestock.[21] Bypassing the ferry slip then 4.6 metres (15 ft) below water, the B.C. Packers boat Salmon Prince also assisted in the evacuation.[22] In 1949, a freshet took out the island landing ramp, forcing the ferry to land on the beach for months.[23]
At least until the 1950s, a truck would cross on the ferry and pick up the milk churns daily from around the island for delivery to Dairyland. In 1951, the upended wreck of a ferry that sank years previously was destroyed with explosives.[24]
1954 upgrade
Ferry with Barnston Island in background, 2005
In 1954, a new 18 metres (60 ft) steel barge was built.[25] The Barnston Island No. 3 had a three-vehicle capacity.[26]
Ferry captain since 1930, Len Thompson retired in 1962.[27]
1963 upgrade
In 1963, the Barnston Island No. 1,[26] a 20-metre (66 ft) steel tug, replaced the wooden one, and the island landing was rebuilt.[28]
In 1984, Western Pacific Marine won the contract to manage the service.[26] The company started operating the service on April 1 of that year.[29]
Later vessels
The operator has used a series of similar tugs on the route, which included the Centurion V in the early 1990s.[26]
After the 2009 withdrawal of the Albion Ferry, the Barnston Island Ferry, the Lytton Ferry and the Big Bar Ferry became the last remaining free inland ferries on the Fraser. Residents have sought a bridge link for over one hundred years.[5][30]
Propelled by an attached tugboat, the barge[31] can carry up to 6 vehicles and 52 passengers, but when 6 vehicles are aboard, the residual capacity is 28 passengers.[32] The crossing time is usually five minutes. The ferry terminal landing is accessed from British Columbia Highway 1 by taking exit 53 into Port Kells, Surrey and proceeding to the end of 104th Avenue.[31]
The ferry operates under private contract with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and is free of tolls, as are all inland ferries in British Columbia.[33] The operation is Transport Canada Marine Safety inspected annually and all crew members are Transport Canada certified. The crossing operates on-demand from 6:15 am to 11:55 pm (12:55 am weekends). River conditions may interrupt the service. The school bus has boarding priority on school days.[32]
^"Ferry Jammed By Ice...". The Province. 5 Jan 1937. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com. BARNSTON ISLAND….Floating ice, which rammed the ferry against its slip here, tied up service for some time. It was refloated later, but in the meantime residents were forced to cross in rowboats…
^"...At Barnston Island". The Province. 7 Nov 1940. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com. An improved ferry service….at Barnston Island on the arrival….of the new 35-foot boat….constructed to carry….60 cans of milk. A great improvement over the old boat, which has been on the run for more than 10 years, is a spacious and comfortable cabin for passengers. This ferry is unique in the valley as it provides free accommodation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every week day.
^"Lush Farms Make Lakes As Fraser Tears Dykes". The Province. 31 May 1948. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com. Ferry landing slips….the end of Hjorth Road, were under 15 feet or more of river water. The small ferry and the B.C. Packers boat Salmon Prince….helping the movement of dairy cattle from the island to the higher ground….
^"Obstruction Cleared at Barnston Island Slip". Surrey Leader. 29 Mar 1951. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com. ….public works department….blasting the old Barnston Island ferry scow which sank above the ferry slip. During….1948, the wreck upended and the resulting eddy has been causing considerable erosion….
^"Former Barnston ferry captain dies at age 88". Surrey Leader. 22 May 1985. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com. Len Thompson….was the first skipper of the Barnston Island Island Ferry that carried vehicles. He held that position from July 1, 1930 to December 9, 1962…
