Dominion Atlantic Railway Digital Preservation Initiative - Wiki

Use of this site is subject to our Terms & Conditions.

Difference between revisions of "Digby Wharf"

From DARwiki
(→‎Gallery: added FileDigby 4.jpg and Digby 5.jpg)
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 8: Line 8:
  
 
File:Digby Long Wharf with SS Monticello DAR Ferry.jpg|Bay of Fundy Steamship Company's SS Monticello docking at the [[Digby Wharf]] circa 1895.
 
File:Digby Long Wharf with SS Monticello DAR Ferry.jpg|Bay of Fundy Steamship Company's SS Monticello docking at the [[Digby Wharf]] circa 1895.
 +
File:Prince Rupert at Digby.jpg|[[SS Prince Rupert]] first time on new pier, September 16, 1909.
 
File:FlyingBluenoseDigbyWharf.jpg|[[SS Prince Rupert]] meeting the train and landing passengers at the [[Digby Wharf]].
 
File:FlyingBluenoseDigbyWharf.jpg|[[SS Prince Rupert]] meeting the train and landing passengers at the [[Digby Wharf]].
 +
File:Digby Wharf 02.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] with train from the nearby beach, circa 1925.
 
File:CSTM-STR04096a 001 aa cs.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] on right in background, [[Digby Railyard]] in foreground on left, circa 1930.
 
File:CSTM-STR04096a 001 aa cs.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] on right in background, [[Digby Railyard]] in foreground on left, circa 1930.
 +
File:Kalkman092.jpg|[[DAR0043|DAR Engine No. 43]] with [[Train No. 98]], at [[Digby Wharf]] with engineer [[Ward, Harry|Harry Ward]] on left & wharf agent [[McBride, Charles|McBride]] on right, [[SS Princess Helene]] in distance, circa 1930s.
 +
File:Kalkman091.jpg|[[DAR0037|Engine No. 37]], engineer [[Ward, Harry|Harry Ward]] with [[Train No. 98]], at [[Digby Wharf]] with [[SS Princess Helene]], circa 1930s.
 
File:CSTM-STR03993a 001 aa cs.jpg|[[DAR0023|No. 25]] "Pontgrave" at the [[Digby Wharf]], 1930s.
 
File:CSTM-STR03993a 001 aa cs.jpg|[[DAR0023|No. 25]] "Pontgrave" at the [[Digby Wharf]], 1930s.
 
Image:DAR0025e.jpg|[[DAR0025|No. 25]] "Pontgrave" on shuttle run between Digby and wharf circa 1934.
 
Image:DAR0025e.jpg|[[DAR0025|No. 25]] "Pontgrave" on shuttle run between Digby and wharf circa 1934.
 +
File:Kalkman088.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] with freight unloaded from [[SS Princess Helene]]  with [[:Category:Refrigerator Cars|CPR Refrigerator Car]] on left, CN Boxcar 409933 at centre and [[DAR069782|DAR boxcar 69782]] on right, winter late 1930s.
 
File:00742.jpg|[[DAR0519|DAR Locomotive 519]] meeting [[SS Princess Helene]] at the [[Digby Wharf]], circa 1940.
 
File:00742.jpg|[[DAR0519|DAR Locomotive 519]] meeting [[SS Princess Helene]] at the [[Digby Wharf]], circa 1940.
 
File:Oct 1949 Arriving at Digby Princess Helene.jpg|Nearing the [[Digby Wharf]], October, 1949.
 
File:Oct 1949 Arriving at Digby Princess Helene.jpg|Nearing the [[Digby Wharf]], October, 1949.
Line 17: Line 22:
 
File:Oct 1949 at Digby NS dock.jpg|The bridge, masts and single stack of the [[SS Princess Helene]] are seen beyond the railway's [[Digby Wharf]] harbour facilities, October, 1949.
 
File:Oct 1949 at Digby NS dock.jpg|The bridge, masts and single stack of the [[SS Princess Helene]] are seen beyond the railway's [[Digby Wharf]] harbour facilities, October, 1949.
 
File:SS Princess Helene, Digby Oct 1949.jpg|[[SS Princess Helene]] at the [[Digby Wharf]] from Water Street in [[Digby]], October, 1949.
 
File:SS Princess Helene, Digby Oct 1949.jpg|[[SS Princess Helene]] at the [[Digby Wharf]] from Water Street in [[Digby]], October, 1949.
 +
File:201306841.jpg|High high-tide, Dec. 1950.
 
Image:DAR1111a.jpg|[[DAR1111|No. 1111]] backing onto [[Digby Wharf]] at [[Digby]] on July 3, 1954.
 
Image:DAR1111a.jpg|[[DAR1111|No. 1111]] backing onto [[Digby Wharf]] at [[Digby]] on July 3, 1954.
  
Line 38: Line 44:
  
 
File:Digby ferry wharf.jpg|[[SS Princess Helene]] at [[Digby Wharf]] - late 1950s(?)
 
File:Digby ferry wharf.jpg|[[SS Princess Helene]] at [[Digby Wharf]] - late 1950s(?)
 +
 +
File:1015DigbyWharfSpur01.jpg|[[DAR1015|No. 1015]] on the Digby Wharf spur, probably in 1959.
 +
File:1015DigbyWharfSpur02.jpg|[[DAR1015|No. 1015]] on the Digby Wharf spur, probably in 1959.
  
 
Image:Digby Wharf 1959 a.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] with CPR equipment, as seen from [[SS Princess Helene]], August 19, 1959.
 
Image:Digby Wharf 1959 a.jpg|[[Digby Wharf]] with CPR equipment, as seen from [[SS Princess Helene]], August 19, 1959.
Line 70: Line 79:
  
 
</Gallery>
 
</Gallery>
 +
-----
 +
 +
==SS Princess Helene - Arrival - Unloading - Loading - July 1950==
 +
 +
In July and December, 1950, the noted photographer and anthropologist [[:Category:John Collier Jr. Photo|John Collier Jr.]] took a series of pictures of the arrival of the [[SS Princess Helene]] at Digby, along with action shots of loading freight onto boxcars and various pictures of people at the wharf that day. The docking sequence looks similar to that described below for the [[SS Princess of Acadia (I)|SS Princess of Acadia]]. The pictures are from the [[:Category:Nova Scotia Archives.|Nova Scotia Archives]]
 +
 +
<Gallery>
 +
File:201306846.jpg|Princess Helene approaching the wharf (Dec. '50).
 +
File:201306847.jpg|Princess Helene has one line to the wharf (Dec. 50).
 +
File:201306848.jpg|Princess Helene turning to the wharf (Dec 50).
 +
File:201309081.jpg|Nearing the wharf, July 1951.
 +
File:201309082.jpg|Shore crew tying up the vessel, July 1951.
 +
File:201309083.jpg|Almost ready for unloading, July 1951.
 +
File:201309084.jpg|Tied up, July 1951.
 +
File:201309570.jpg|[[SS Princess Helene|SS ''Princes Helene'']] at [[Digby Wharf]], with CPR box cars and Norwegian freighter loading lumber, Sept. 1951.
 +
File:201308963.jpg|Ship and railway personnel.
 +
File:CPR employee, ship crewman, port pilot Digby.jpg|Railway conductor, ship quartermaster, harbour pilot.
 +
File:201309085.jpg|Raw rubber being moved from ship to boxcar.
 +
File:201309094.jpg|Another view of the towmotor and its train.
 +
File:201309086.jpg|Raw rubber, biscuits, and paint.
 +
File:201309089.jpg|Raw rubber.
 +
File:201309087.jpg|Sugar in large bags.
 +
File:201309092.jpg|Galvanized steel pails.
 +
File:201309093.jpg|Vegetables, etc.
 +
File:201309095.jpg|Boxes for Robt. Simpson Ltd., Halifax.
 +
File:201309088.jpg|Flooring being loaded on a boxcar.
 +
File:201309090.jpg|Pop, paint, biscuits being loaded.
 +
File:201309091.jpg|Plumbing parts.
 +
File:Princess Helene Nearing Departure to Saint John.jpg|Later in the day, nearing departure.
 +
File:Digby Wharf Ticket Office.jpg|Buying tickets to travel to Saint John at the ticket office on the wharf.
 +
File:201308956.jpg|Getting on board to depart.
 +
File:201308957.jpg|People loading.
 +
File:201308959.jpg|Dropping someone off? Also, 1949 DeSoto.
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
</Gallery>
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
 +
-----
  
 
==Princess of Acadia Docking Sequence==
 
==Princess of Acadia Docking Sequence==

Latest revision as of 21:54, 26 April 2024

The railway wharf at Digby was built about 1895 to connect DAR trains to the steamers serving Digby. A spur known as the "Dock Spur" led from the Digby Station to the wharf allowing both freight and passenger trains to connect directly with steamers. The wharf was steadily expanded over the years, most notably in the late 1920s for SS Princess Helene when a large freight shed and twin freight elevators were built. The DAR wharf remained in use into the dayliner era. However in 1971, with the arrival of the Princess of Acadia II, a new ferry terminal was built several miles out of town on Digby Gut, ending the DAR's railway to ship connection at Digby. However the DAR wharf was rebuilt for fisheries use, renamed the "Fishermen's Wharf". Today the fabric of the old DAR wharf remains a vital facility for the town of Digby today, despite neglect from an abortive privatization scheme in the 1990s.

"The new Princess of Acadia started operating from the new wharf in May 1971, and the tracks leading down to the old wharf were removed very shortly after that. Hatties' Store, which was located right beside the track, expanded their building onto the track location once the tracks were removed and although I don't know the exact date, it was within a few months of the move. The building was there for a few years beyond that, even though it wasn't in use after operations moved to the Shore Road. However, by about 1979-80, it had deteriorated to the point where it was condemned and the building and the portion of the wharf on which the building was located, were taken out." Jim Joyce recollection in an email dated December 26th, 2016

Gallery

SS Princess Helene - Arrival - Unloading - Loading - July 1950

In July and December, 1950, the noted photographer and anthropologist John Collier Jr. took a series of pictures of the arrival of the SS Princess Helene at Digby, along with action shots of loading freight onto boxcars and various pictures of people at the wharf that day. The docking sequence looks similar to that described below for the SS Princess of Acadia. The pictures are from the Nova Scotia Archives

  • Princess Helene approaching the wharf (Dec. '50).

  • Princess Helene has one line to the wharf (Dec. 50).

  • Princess Helene turning to the wharf (Dec 50).

  • Nearing the wharf, July 1951.

  • Shore crew tying up the vessel, July 1951.

  • Almost ready for unloading, July 1951.

  • Tied up, July 1951.

  • SS Princes Helene at Digby Wharf, with CPR box cars and Norwegian freighter loading lumber, Sept. 1951.

  • Ship and railway personnel.

  • Railway conductor, ship quartermaster, harbour pilot.

  • Raw rubber being moved from ship to boxcar.

  • Another view of the towmotor and its train.

  • Raw rubber, biscuits, and paint.

  • Raw rubber.

  • Sugar in large bags.

  • Galvanized steel pails.

  • Vegetables, etc.

  • Boxes for Robt. Simpson Ltd., Halifax.

  • Flooring being loaded on a boxcar.

  • Pop, paint, biscuits being loaded.

  • Plumbing parts.

  • Later in the day, nearing departure.

  • Buying tickets to travel to Saint John at the ticket office on the wharf.

  • Getting on board to depart.

  • People loading.

  • Dropping someone off? Also, 1949 DeSoto.




Princess of Acadia Docking Sequence

In these photos from the summer of 1966, "POA Digby Wharf 1966" photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 show how they got the Princess of Acadia into the government wharf. She would steam slowly in and a line would be thrown to the wharf, they would tie it up on the post (bollard) at the end (photo 2, but seen much better in this shot from J.A.M. and this shot from J.A.M. as well) and she would rotate into the docking area. If you look carefully at the water currents in shot numbers 3 & 4 (the bows on shot), you will notice that she had a bow thruster (the eddies on the bow) added when she was refitted for St. John -Digby Service. Her predecessor the Princess Helene once was caught by the wind after she backed away from the wharf and it took her close to hour to get her bows pointed toward the gut. My father, who was much more nautical than I, described her as being "In-Irons". Sailing ships in this condition would launch a boat and the crew would then row or kedge her so the wind would catch the sails. The bow thruster eliminated this condition and made her quite handy to dock on her own or to turn her around at St. John.


  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 1.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 2.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 3.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 4.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 5.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 6.jpg
  • POA Digby Wharf 1966 7.jpg

References and Footnotes

External Links

Retrieved from "http://DARDPI.CA/wiki/index.php?title=Digby_Wharf&oldid=42192"