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PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, January 3, 1996 - 11 The joy of steamboating on Lake Scugog in the 1800s RE bi A ER SIRE SE Sl Sketches of Scugog is a historical column written by local resident and historian Paul Arculus and published in the Port Perry Star the first issue of each month. Beginning with the launch of the Woodman in 1850, Lake Scugog enjoyed over a half century of romance with the steamboat. It began purely as a need to transport people and goods around the lake. The main commodity being logs from various sites, particularly in Victoria County. They were towed in booms down to the mills at Port Perry. Most of the fin- ished lumber was then shipped to Lindsay to be loaded on to trains and shipped to Port Hope. The railway from Port Hope to Lindsay had been com- pleted in 1857. The Port Whitby and Port Perry Railroad was not operation- al until , 1871-72. Bigelow and Trounce's vessel the Anglo Saxon set a record for towing on the Central Lakes. n one journey from Lindsay in 1874 the Anglo Saxon towed one scow-load of stave bolts, three loaded scows of logs and three cribs of logs! The steamship frequently towed booms containing 20,000 saw-logs to the mills at Port Perry. By the early 1860s, Port Perry was becoming a sizeable settlement. Although there were two main roads linking the settlement to the outside world, mud, swamps, fallen trees and the discomfort of the corduroy surface, made any journey a challenging experience. Port Perry's only reliable and comfortable link with the outside world was by the steamboat. With Port Perry's growth, various social groups began to be formed. Churches, Sunday Schools, Lodges and sports clubs organized picnics and other outings to fill the growing social needs of the communi- ty. The steamboat was a logical and pleas- ant way to organize excursions for vari- ous occasions. A number of destinations around Lake Scugog deyeloped. The most popular resort was Washburn Island. Beginning in 1864, a non-denominational social committee was created to organize a steamboat excursion. This event became an extremely popu- lar annual event. The third annual excursion, took place on Friday, July 19, 1867. This event was delightfully reported in the Port Perry Standard of July 25, 1867 as follows: "The third annual excursion on Lake Scugog from this place, which came off on Friday last, was, on the whole a very pleasant affair. Some difficulty existed previous to the start, owing to the fact that opposition was got up by the working men, because the fare had been raised from 25¢. to 50c. a ticket this year; but when all got "underway" everything passed off "as merry as a marriage bell." The Lady Ida started first, with one scow and probably 100 or 125 on board, accompanied bythe Prince Albert band. She was followed by the Anglo Saxon with two scows, and probably 300 on board, accompanied by Freeman's and the Whitby bands. Nothing worthy of note transpired during the trip on board either boat, other than that some passed the time in dancing while others participated in games and amusements usual to such occasions. The Anglo Saxon called at Port Hoover and took quite a number on board, but the Lady Ida went straight to her destination. Both boats however reached the island within a few minutes of each other; and immediately after the shore was lined with the excursionists, their boxes, baskets, parcels &c., &c., -- Groups wended their way here and there, each selecting a suitable spot on which to prepare their repast. Having satisfied the cravings of the inn- er man, a number strolled about the . island in quest of Indian relics and curios- ities, some fine specimens of which were secured. Others sang, some enjoyed swinging, some went fishing, swimming, boating &c., & c. Meantime, the bands did their part towards making the visit agreeable. Freeman's Band was "the admired of all admirers." We were delighted with their performance, as so rare a musical treat is seldom in store for us. Each one of the family is so proficient that comparisons would be odious; and we question that they can be beaten by the same number in the province. At about four o'clock the whistling of the boats indicated that the time had come for returning. All hands having been safely embarked, the Lady Ida backed out and started for home. In a few minutes the Anglo Saxon followed, giv- ing three cheers for Messrs. Washburn, Unger and the Islanders generally. She left passengers at Port Hoover and reached Port Perry at eight o'clock, just a few minutes after the Lady Ida. The time during the return was occupied by amusements similar to those which had absorbed the attention of pas- sengers on the-outward trip. Large numbers were present from all parts of the county; and we doubt not that many enjoyed themselves exceedingly." This annual excursion continued to hold for many years. In the summer of 1868, eight such excursions from Port Perry to Washburn Island were reported in the Observer and the Standard. That same year another excursion began. The Port Perry Standard of > July 30, 1868 reported it as follows: "An excursion from Lindsay. The steamer Anglo Saxon brought an excursion party from. Lindsay to this place on Tuesday last. There were / about a 100 on / board, of whom the principal number dined at Shaw's Hotel. Dinner over, 'a look at the place' was decid- ed upon, after which the company retraced their steps to the boat at 3 p.m. On their arrival they were received by a number of our residents, and also escorted to the boat on their return. The excursionists seemed to enjoy themselves exceedingly well and we hope it may not be the last interview we shall have of them." As a pathetic post script, after a glori- ous career of shipping on Lake Scugog, the Anglo Saxon met a somewhat igno- minious fate. In 1888, it made its way to the foot of the lock under construction at Fenelon Falls. The Anglo Saxon was to be the first vessel through the new locks. Unfortunately someone overlooked the fact that the railway bridge at the top of the lock was too low to allow such vessels through. The Anglo Saxon waited patiently at the foot of the Fenelon Falls lock until this was rectified. Unfortunately the conversion of the railway bridge into a swing bridge was not completed until 1894. By this time the poor Anglo Saxon had rotted beyond redemption. The Anglo Saxon was stripped of all useful machinery and dec- orations and then towed through the * locks. The hull was taken out into Cameron Lake and sunk. Somewhere at the bottom of Cameron Lake, the rotten hull of the once proud Anglo Saxon remains to be relocated by fearless divers. Next article: George Crandell's Empire GRAND EACURMON And Pic-Nic, ON LAKE SOUGOG I! Third Annual Re-union ! THE STEAMER ANGLO- SAXON! Will leave Port Perry, on Friday, 19th of July, Instant, At 8 o'clock, a. m., sharp, proceeding round Scugog Lake to WASHBURN'S ISLAND ! , Tho most pleasant locality that could be desired, whero grcunds will be prepared, swings erected, and other arrangements for ganoral amusemeals, returning to Port Pgrry at 8 o'clock, p. m. The Commlttee have decided on having two large flat-Loats attached to thesteamer, protected by a railing and awning over head capable of contalaing sovin hundred persons. No cxpenso will be apared for ¢he safety, comfort and convenience of all, in order to make the trip the most pleasant and convenient that conld be desired. The Committee would also say that the new Steamer will make the trip in about two hoatsiagieas of the time occupied tercto- ore. -- A FULD BRASS IAND I Will be in attendance. Tho excursion will afford a splendid opportunity for visiting Lake S8cugog and its delightfnl scenery, as well as enjoying a good socin! time, and pleasant meoting of friends and acquaintances. Small boats will accompany tho expedition for amusement while at the Island. Fishing Tackle will be provided, as far as possible for those who desiro that sort of nmusemeont. A GENERAL INVITATION I3 EXTENDED TO ALL! Lét every ono como and bring their friend s. An Excursion will also take placo on the same day from Lindsay to Washburn's Wand, and join In the amusements bf the ny Tickefs fob Excursion ~~ 50 Cenfs. Upper left: Photo of the steamboat Anglo Saxon, built at Port Hoover on Lake Scugog. The 35 horsepower steam engine and machinery were built at Gibson's foundry in Port Perry. The vessel was 70 feet long at the keel and had an 18 foot beam. Above: Advertisement for a "Grand Excursion" aboard the Anglo Saxon as published in the Port Perry Standard in July 1967. Have a Healthy and Prosperous New Year! EE NEL oF Ce An