Artifactually_Ferries THE COBOURG FERRIES Throughout its 43 year history the OCFC operated with only five ship captains: Captain And Crew - The Key To Success FREDERICK D. FORREST - quiet and reserved, he was a person of high integrity who served as the first captain of both ferries and died while still in service. CHARLES E. REDFEARN - born at nearby Lakeport, he took his first seaman's job at 16, commanded a freighter at 23 and finally retired as Captain of Ontario No. 2 at 68. SAMUEL H. MCCAIG - longest serving of all the captains, he began his life at sea as a 9 year old cabin boy on an excursion steamer. The boat caught fire and sank on his maiden voyage! Subsequently he made 20,000 crossings of Lake Ontario. WILLIAM BRYSON - an Irishman who met his future wife when he caught her sneaking pickles from a pickle barrel on deck. He captained both ferries and finally served as their watchman as they lay moored in Cobourg harbour awaiting disposal. ROBERT WRIGHT - having already served in both the navy and the merchant marine, he became captain of the Ontario No. 1 in 1947 and served until its final voyage in 1949. All of these captains performed with dedication and demonstrated remarkable loyalty to the OCFC Most pictures and much content from COAL TO CANADA by Ted Rafuse SAMUEL H. MCCAIG WILLIAM BRYSON CAPTAIN REDFEARN WITH OFFICERS