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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, EOWMANV=LL, ONTARIO Port Darlington Harbor Story Makes Fascinating Reading of Lif e in This District a Century Ago »itor'a Note-We are indebt- known Rag Castie Corner to the IV. In that same year upon his -to Guernsey McClellan Sec.- wharf, waiting their turn to death, the young queen, Vic- kras of the Port Darlington unload at the two big elevators toria, entered upon hie] loni' 4larbor Company, now living which once stood there. At this and successful reign. Com- Toronto, for loaning us the time two piers stretched out plaints and wrongs were grad- «iyer aid minute books of into the lake with a lighthouse, ually ironed out in the Cana- 'bmpany. Fziom these re- waiting-roam and office at the das and the young country be- rds our popular columnist end of the east pier, and eleva- gan the long ascent to Confed- d tq11ature writer, Mrs. Elsie tors, warehouses and a Custom eration, maturity, wealth and t ough its rnany faded pages samne. The Port Darlington Harbor Scorne Up with this fascin- These buildings and the piers Company, which became a joint 9 g isorical story which now have gradually been removed stock company as we have seen lay be preserved and available as their days of usefulness were in 1839, was in on the ground ~rfuture $enerations.--G.W.J.) done tili now the harbor mouth floor of this era of expansion On Wnte atenoo, heis ail but filled with sand and and development. H. S. Reid n - ýe ftron h nothing remains to tell modern was the first president, Jotin >day of the year 1839, cottagers of the once busy days Simpson treasurer and John ~ic h was the second year of of the Port except a breakwa- Smart secretary. According to ereign o! the young Queen ter on the west side of the pier. the record provided by the 'ictoria, 24 good men and true Four Generations minutes of company meetings jathered at the tavern of A. But the Harbor Company from its -inception, John Smart Iindes in Bowmanville for the still continues, with J. Guern- was very active in the affairs ~urpose of forming a joint stockse MCelagatgnd of the company and laid ut Company to develop a harbor syMCeln r at-rnson plans for the wharf, being in- for Dalingtn Towship. of the first wharfinger, Jame~s tuedogtprcsflbid for Drlintç~nTownhip. McCleîîan, is secretarytrea strutedtogetprcesfoarufd The names of those who sat uirer. Four generations of the igawaf down around Mr. Hindes' table McClellan family have played Prices for the various com- on New Year's Day, might be a prominent part in the affairs modities are scattered through considered the roster of our of the company from the first the records sa that no estimate pioneers, for. Darlington was day of April, 1854, when James of the original total cost can :tili very young and these were McClellan was appointed whar- be arrived at. But the price of od citizens ail. finger and harbormaster, ta the timbers at this tirne shows how gçre are their names. For present, one hundred years la- plentiful and cbeap were pro- Bowmanville:, C. Beaman, j. ter, when J. Guernsey McClel- ducts of the forest. Timbers 30 Simpson, John Sumpter, John Ian helps to guide the affairs of feet long and 20" x 12" were Lister. James Stephens, Peter the compgny which now consist 10 shillings each or roughly Coleman, Luther Price, John mainly of land rentaîs to cottage $2.50. The same leng'thi12 Gray, Alex Fletcher, Charles owners at the beach. x 12" was $1.25.. Tý,hee would21 Tiffany. For Port Hope: David John McClellan, son of the likelv be the virgin pifle of emxaat. For Darlington: Donald first wharfinger, James, was this area. Cameron, H. S. Reid, William alsa Harbor Master for 60 years Costs Today Warren, Daniel Galbraith, John and owned several schooners Today, there is no pine avail- Smart, D. F. Burk, Robert Fair- that sailed the lakes. On his bairn, A. Hindes, John Tait, business envelopes on the left able thicker than 4" in this Archy Tait, Timothy Soper, hand side appeared a beautiful length, and to get a compara- George Loveman. For Clarke: little picture of a three masted tive price we have to consider Allan Wllmott. schooner, and beneath it bis British Columbia f ir. A timber Today, with the great St. name and address. John Mc- 30 feet long and 12" x 12" (the Lawrence Seaway project un- Clellan was also the senior wialest listed) coôsts today $57.60. der way, the thoughts of many member of the firm of McClel- For many years the steam anr aid-timer along the north Ian & Co., dealers in grain, boats were wood burners, and share of Lake Ontario turn lumber, wvood and coal, prede- on Oct. 4, 1840 it is recorded in back ta the days when every cessors of the Sheppard & Gi the minutes of the company little port saw the great C o. here. The . company for that tenders were called for fleet schooners put in with many years had a. huge coal- 1,000 cords of fire wood. On their cargo of coal or sali out storage shed a t the wharf. Oct. 24 we have an entry nfo- with their load of grain; wben Next in the McClellan lin,- ing that this was purchased at the steamboats plied their way was James Alexander, son of 5/9 and 6/ per cord, or about regularly ta American ports John, who was so weli known $f.43 and $1.50 per cord. Con- wlth varlaus exports, and pas- in Bowmanville district as the sidering the quantities of wood senger boats would take you to kindly and respected manager consumed by steamers and ear- Toronto in case and comfort in of the Bank of Montreal. ly railway engines, it is littie a mroning - if the weather Though entering upon a bank- wonder that the seemingly wasn't rough. ing career as a yaung man, J. limitless forests were soon de- A. McClellan caried on the pleted. Port Memories Port Darlington harbor tradi- Two other interesting items Bowmanville, or Port Dar- tion as' the secret ary -treasumer appear in the annals of 1840, lington. has its share of mcm- of the company, which position the company's second year in cries, Ior the joifit stock coin- he held until his death in 1 934. business. The presîdent, H. S. any so auspîciously begun on The old tradition cropped Out Reid, journeyed to Toronto to Ya' a) 13, 15t nsoefrmall b o s Hou eta Port DarCngtonm s ar's Dth a, of8th, 24( del ons oerofmaking m, o- se abot PestabihigarCustom holders subscribing £24 pamticularly his only grandson which was apparently done af- apîcce, continued tbrougai at that time, Harry H{yde. ter a proclamation had been is- rn ny busy and prosperous And s0 we arrive at the pres- sued by the Attorney-General ..Schooners such as the ent day with J. Guernsey Mc- establisbing Port Darlington Rs er Mowat and William Clellan of Toronto, eider son Of a port of entry, and a dividend a eson, steamers such as the J. A. McClellan, as secretary- of 7 ½ % was paid for that year. Erindale, Argyle, Garden City, treasurer of the more than. On Feb. 6. 1841, William and others continued to caîl at ècentury aid company. His son, IM'itchell xvas 'appointed xvhar- Port Darlington tiil on in the John Guemnsey. now 12 y'ears finger at a salary of £30 a year present century, though the big old, is next in line. and in 1847 we find.tenders be- boomn of trade was over with Early Days ing received for building a the passing of the McKinley Goîng back ta the .beginning, warebouse at the wharf. In Bill in 1897 whîch placcd a tam- the Port Darlington Harbor 1847 also we find the Com- iff oni Canadian barley to pro- Company was incorporated on pany presentîng John Simpson tect United States growers. March 4th, 1837, the year that witb a silver snuff box suitably In the bey-day aI- the barley saw rebellion flare up brieflj inscribed in recognition of bis and grain trade when Oswego against the gavernment in both valuable services since the breweries were clamoring for Upper -and Lower Canada. It formation of the company. Bwýi- Ontario crops, it is said that was the seventh, and last, year ness was so good in this decade wagons stretched from the well- of the reign of King William that a divdend of 24% was de- PopularPassenger ,Steamer "Argyle"l _ ,. -'-f -~â- .BOWi»vjI1ciHarbor ___j Early in the century, each summer the popular steamer "Argyle," shown above coming into Bowmanville harbour, ran regular trips to Toronto, as well as occasional sightseeing excursions to Niag ara FallÈ. And don't believe it if anybody tells you you can't get seasick on the choppy waters of Lake Ontario, for we experienced it! Grain Elevators and Coal Sheds -f... ~ ~:. e Above photo shows the two large grain elevators and coal sheds at Port Bowînanville before they were dismantled. It also shows between the piers the "Sir O0ver Mowat" 3-masted saiboat which plied betwen Oswego, N.Y., and Bowman-1 ~~yiJe.The dredge is the "Dragon Rouge" which was clearing out the sand which per odically had to be dredged to make a sale passage for the schoonlers. clared Milne time. ln 1848 and 1850. John was wharfinger at this Ruge Inerease During its first tcn ycars the Company increased business by £32,3 70 according ta, actual figures taken from the records. Commodities shipped in 1850 wcre flour, wheat, aatmeal, lumbér, potatoes, whiskey, bran, butter, wood, pork, ashes and barley £100 was voted ta help 'repair Cartwright and Manvers roads and the road ta the wharf ta facilitate the flow af busi- ness. In 1852 Peter Hambly was appointcd a second wharfingem ta assist.John Mîlnc, and Sam- uel Hoar was hired as laborer. B y 1851 the meetings af the di- rectors were advertised in the Bowmanville Messenger instcad of the Port Hope Advertisem, and in 1853 the meetings began ta be beld in "the Office at Part Darlington", instead af in the various tavemns, înns and hotels sucb as Hindes', Kellogg's, Bro- die's, Folcy's Inn, Mitchels Inn and others. Apparently these wemc very numemous at the tîme. The Grand Trunk Railway must have came thmoug¶i about this time for in 1854 the Com- pany set the ducs coliectable for railmoad iron andJ other railroad material beîng ecciv- cd at the w~harf. In 1856 an- other pier, pamalleling the cast pier was built and a dividend of 20 % was paid. In 1856 also, Mr. John Simpson, president of the Company and a promin- cnt citizen in Bowmanvillc af- fairs was clected ta the Legii- lative Council for Queen's Di- vision (we arc not sure what territory this comprised) and in 1867, the ycar of Confedera- tion, he was callcd ta the Sen- ate of the Dominion of Canada. Fire At -Dock During the 60's business must have deciined, possibly due in part ta the raiiway, for div.i- dcnds were only 41/2% and 6 %. Misfortune struck on August 15, 1870, when the warehousc an the dock was destroyed by f ire. But at a meeting af the directors çalled the same day in the Ontario Bank, it was moved that a new building 75' x 25' be crectcd with a ligbt- bouse on top and office and waiting oam bclow in the south end. Old esidênts will recaîl this lighthousc, paintcd white, its auter wall almost cntirely cov- cred with rude carvings af en- twined hearts, and other ro- mantic symbols, together with the initiais of thc jack knife ar- tists and their inamoratac. It was a favorite pastime of the youngcr gencration ta try ta deciphcr these bicroglyphics and -refer them ta the ro mances wh i ch tbey werc intendcd ta perpetuate. No dougt many citizens. still living af that era, could recall many human interest stonies wbicb would make amusing, as weil as startling rcading. We' will gladly. pub- lish tbem in a future article if we are made acquaintcd with the facts. In 1871 it was dccided that at the next annual meeting the stockboldcrs af the Company wauld aller ta scîl Port Dac- lingtan Harbor ta the Town af Bawmanville for $66,000. The idea was in connectian with a propased railroad fmom Port Darlington ta Bobcaygean, wbicb, it was prabably tbaught. wauld increase trade tbrough the barbor. An alternative offar was ta be made ta the Town of 50% of the grass ycamiy camn- ings received by the Harbor Company for 25 years an traf- In the same article, J. Guern- sey McCielian bad identified the picture shown as that Af the "Oliver Mowat" and con- tributcd a list of schooners caîl- ing at the Port wbich went back, it was thougbt, ta the 1870's. The list was found among bis fatbem's, J. A. Me- Clellan's, papers. The "Oliver Mowat", incidentally, was sunk by a steamer in 1927. Capt. T. L. Vandusen, the mate and stewardess ail being drowned. A later wcll known and well liked harbor personality is W. Fred Depew, intrepid and cheerful lisherman wbo came ta Bowmanville in 1919. Mr. Depew came of a sailing fam- ily, bis father bcing an lake Sweaters Short siceves. Sizes 14 ta 20 $4.9.5 Misses' White Orlon Misses' Black Taffeta Misses' Gabardine Blouses Siiets Slcmckç s'ith matching belte Sizes 12 to 20 Sizes 10 to 18 Sizes 10 to 18 $3.98 $4.98 s4.9s Are you looking for pretty, useful GIFTS FOR GIRLS? Corne to BRESLIN's and see the hundreds of GIRLS' DRESSES weoffer for your selection. I>retty, Crispy Cotton PARTY Washable Nylon PARTY Frocks F'ocks Frocks rWashable, Sizes 3 ta 6 o Rayon Taffeta with ze3to6 crinolines. Sizes 7 to 12 yrs.Sze3to6 $1.69 1slO0951 84-91 Our stock of LINGERIE is the largest w e have ever carried. Whether it's a pair of BRIEFS or a NEGLIGEE you will make no niistake to Exqisieiystyed VISIT BRESLIN'S FIRST 1 Misses' Satin Pyjamas Sizes sniail, medium, large $s5095 PFurt quality 51 - 15 Kayser Nylons $1.50 value. Sizes 9 to Il 99C- Cardigans Sizes 14 to 20 1 $5095 Ladies' fancy trimmed rayon Briefs Pastel shades, in aIl sizes 49c 69c SELECT YOUR GIFTS NOW AND PAY FOR THEM NEXT YEAR! We suggest you visit our store and see our extrernely large selection of PURSES - FANCY BELTS - GLOVES and SCARVES besides the great many other useful suggestions for gift giving. You will also agre hal for a real shopping treat Il's Breslin*'s every lime ! trom in LADIES' Ail colours $2.91g Playfair ORLON Cardigans Sizes 14 ta 20 $o7.,,q Quilted Lounglng Pyjamas by Dore. Sizes 10 to 18 $3.95 floor length Ilousecoais Al l zeu s7.9s PAGE WVE I ic brought ta or despatched fromn the harbor over this ail- road. Nothing seems ta have came af this. The Hon. John Simpson in 1876 secured Dominion Govemn- ment assistance of $5,000 for the improvement af the harbor. Up ta this date, this was the only aid given by the Govern- ment. David Fisher succeeded John Simpson as president in 1885 and two new dimectors were appomted, John McClel- lan and D. B. Simpson. Coming into thLs ceritury, a good snany can remember bar- bar affairs and the ealy days af Bowmanville Beach as a summer vacation spot. As soon as school was out, famnilies mov- cd down ta the lake and the kids wcnt bappily barefoot un- tii it was time for school belîs ta ring out again. Rag Castie Corner A number recaîl the poem, "The Lament af the Elms,", written in 1913 by Charles T. Paul, a weil known and vcry clever Bowmanvillian, brother of Mrs. Frank C. Pethick. He became a professor and was a missionary in China for many years. The poemn immortalizes the big elms which stood at the juncture af the Base bine and the Wbarf Road in the notb- west corner af Frank's field. The "Rag Castie", a bouse in that vicinity which for years gave ta the point the name of "Rag Castle Corner" is men- tioned, and also such personal- Mtes as Fisherman John (the late John Fletcher) and Cap- tain Bill (the late William Nor- ton). Another wcll known persan- ality of the barbor wvas William bsaw, father of Mrs. D. R. Mor- rison, a genial kindly man wbo for many years was wharfinger during John McCIllan's time as habormaster. Later Thomas Hoar carmied on the§e du- tics. He was killed by light- ning in 1919 as he was about ta light the lamps in the light- bouse. Patrick King is another name familiar ta many and An- thony Grant was ane of those who uscd ta help unload the schooners. Forrest Dilling told in the Toronto Tclcgmam feature. Schooner Days, in the issue af Dcc. 2, 1944 af the pleasant memomies recallcd by a pre- viaus article by C. H. J. Sni- dem on old Port Darlington. One of the pastimes of bis scbool- boy days, Forrest ecodcdw. a standing competition to see who could get in his littie black book the largest list of schoon- ers and boaq cntering the bar- bar during summer vacation. The names had ta be accompan- ied by the autograph of thc captain. Hc ecalled that the "Oliver Mowat"I appeared many times on the- list with Capt. Peacock's signature opposite. His father, H. H. Dilling, spent seven years on the lake mn sailing vessels. Oliver Mowat boats for many ycars. He bas many a talc ta tel af the fish- ing industry from the days when he ran bis çwn smoke bouse in Bowmanvilecand ship- pcd ta New York,' ta the pres- cnt when the fisb are packed in ice and shipped to Toronto. Today Mm. Dcpew's fishing grounds unfortunately coincide with the shooting range of the3 RCAF from Trenton. But a courtesy arrangement bas been workcd out and Mm. Depew stili draps his nets "on the range". Sometimes he is flot able ta leave bis nets when the planes corne over and' the bullets start popping around bis ship like cork.s. He secms relatively un- pcrtumbed by this bambard- ment thougb he bad na pre- viaus "bhtz" expemience. Local Inventor Mm. Dcpcw is a modest and unassuming man but he actu- ally bas a real dlaim ta fame and is known wherever com- mercial fishing is carricd on as the inventor af the mechanical net puller. His own hausekeep- cm, Mr. Depew's residence is ful of handy built-in cupboamds, beautiful color scbemes, and altogether is the neatest, most shîp-shape bouse that could be imagined. The barbor was dredged out from time ta time aver the past - u WHERE ELSE BUT AT BRESLIN'S LADIES' WEAR Ic an you get such a wide jchoice of Christmas G5ifts ' When it cornes to DRESSES .. . we know that nowhere else can you get such a variety of fabrics, styles or makes. Ail under one roof you can select from outstanding makes such as Jonathanlogan, Teena Paige, Kiever Klad, Minx Modes, Ricky Formais, Jerry Gilden and others. Sizes 7to 19 - 10Oto 20 - 38 to 52 - 16% to 241/z Misses', Juniors', Women's and Haif Sizes. Priced at $5.98 -$7.95 $16.95 - $19.95 - $à9.95 "t.7RSDAY, DEC. lOth, 1054 - $10.95 - $12.95 $25.00 - $29.95 We wiII box your -gof FREE of charge lVhen it cornes to BLOUSES, SKIRTS, SLACKS or SWEATERS - Look what we have to offer to even the rnast particular shopper.. Grand Mere Orlon Pullover1 Helen Harper Pure WOOL - --------- - %.------------ mtim.uIk mi bo Jwv.ýL 1 l---7ý - 1 --- - --- - - -1 - - -- 1 .. - A4 pýç94- number of yeams but now a sand bar bas almost blocked the mouth. The lighthouse 'vas tomn down in 1935 but the light was mounted on a cement portion af the pier. This was later broken up in a storm. In 1935 a ferry plied between the piers for the« convenience of cottage esidents and others frequenting the beach. Cbanging times have brought changes ta the beach, the mo- tor car being responsible for much that is different. The old "fami]y" atmospheme bas dis- appeared. It is ta be hopcd by many far-sighted citizens that with the deepening of the St. Law- rence River, now ta become a rcality, pressure wiIl be excrt- cd by the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce ta have the federal govcrnment restore the Bowmanville Harbor at an eç?rly date and thus be in a position ta campete and offer water transportation facilities equal or better than the other nortbcmn Ontario Lake Shore tawns, stretching from Wbitby to Kingston. In the olden days Bowmanville barbor was me- cagnized as the best pmotected barbor along the nortb shore as boats during severe storms, could make port here where tbcy couldn't safely make other barbors. F UE L OIL STOVE OIL FILL UP NGW! PROMPT SERVICE TELEPHONE MA 3-5897. MA 3-5410 Osborn e's Coal & Fuel Co.