Advertiser 1926-05-07 - New Motor Ship Service Inaugurated

The Kentville Advertiser 1926-05-07 - New Motor Ship Service Inaugurated

A lengthy article was printed in the May 7, 1926 issue of the Kentville Advertiser weekly newspaper about the Dominion Atlantic Railway's new ship the Kipawo entering service. The text of the article is shown just below, while digital scans appear below the text.

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New Motor Ship Service Inaugurated

Modern Equipment and Up-to-date Service on Minas Basin Route of Tremendous Importance

Banner Tourist Year Predicted

A transportation event of greatest importance to the commercial interest of the Valley was the opening of the new motor ship service on the Kingsport—Wolfville—Parrsboro route on Saturday, May 1st, when the fine new motor vessel “Kipawo” was placed in service by the management of the Dominion Atlantic Railway Company.

In order that we might better judge of the value of this service to the community and to furnish readers of “The Advertiser” with first hand information, a representative of this paper, on Monday and Tuesday, made the round trip to Parrsboro and return.

We believe that the advent of the “Kipawo” will prove a decided boon to the travelling public in general and to valley folks in particular, that a new tourist route with great possibilities has been opened up and that the event marks the greatest single improvement in transportation facilities that has been effected in this part of the province for many years.

BUILT FOR MINAS ROUTE

The motor vessel “Kipawo” is an all steel ship of 200 tons gross, measuring 123 feet over all, with a beam of 26 feet and a maximum draft of 8 feet. The ship was designed and constructed in the yards of the Saint John Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., especially for the service in which she has been placed. The broad beam and flaring freeboard make her an especially dry and comfortable craft in choppy water and at the same time gives the necessary shallow draft to enable her to take the tide early, on her trips. The ship is speedy, being rated at 11½ knots and having turned in a record of 11.3 knots on her trial run under very adverse conditions. The passenger accommodations and appointments are all that could be desired and the “Kipawo” is destined to prove popular with travellers both tourist and commercial.

A “SNAPPY” CRAFT

“A snappy, business looking craft” was the verdict of the group of waiting passengers, as the “Kipawo” bore gracefully down on the pier at Wolfville and the Valley echoes the pleasing and penetrating notes of her powerful chince-whistle. A cleverly thrown line, and a hawser hauled ashore—“full speed astern” and then “stop” on the engine room telegraph—and in less time than it takes to write it, the gang-way was down and some score of interested, expectant passengers were stepping up on the deck of the new ship.

The second thing to be impressed on the passenger is the spaciousness of the decks and the completeness of the accommodation which has been accomplished on this comparatively small “inland” ship. But the very first thing to appeal to him is the courteous care and interest of her veteran skipper, Capt. Cook and his officers and crew.

A REAL SALT

Captain C. Cook is first and last a “Salt.” “Your initials, Captain Cook?” we asked in our best journalistic style. “C” he replied, “C. Cook”—And the son of a Sea Cook?” we enquired. “Right you are” answered the skipper, and with some questioning we learned he had spent his whole life at sea since the age of 14. He stated he had only earned 50 cents ashore during his entire life, “and that fellow never paid me!” he concluded grimly. We blushed at this reflection upon the moral integrity and financial responsibility of landlubbers in general, and do sincerely trust that if this should should come to the attention of the Captain’s debtor, that he (the debtor) will come across with that four bits, and thus remove the sense of shame under which, until then, we shall labour.

Captain Cook has been in the service of the Dominion Atlantic for 4 years, during which time he skippered the S.S. “Prince Albert” and supervised the building of the “Kipawo” in the interest of the owners. Prior to that he was with the Cumberland Coal and Railway Company, in command of the S.S. “Springhill,” also built in Saint John (in 1893). Captain Cook recalls with pride the fact that only two power ships have ever been built in Saint John, and to him has fallen the honor of piloting them both out of harbor on their maiden voyages. No fresh water sailor is this, either, for the master of the “Kipawo” holds “deep sea” papers, and has sailed every quarter of the globe. He can draw as easily upon his rich store of sea lore as upon his stock of stories of the history and traditions of Minas Basin and the “Evangeline Country.”

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Before conducting us over the ship the captain introduced his chief officer—and look who’s here! Our old friend Eddie Trefry, and no other—pardon! Captain Edward Trefry of Summerville and Parrsboro, who handles the “Kipawo” with the same careful unconcern as he did the twelve foot dingy with the little leg o’ mutton and in the old days when we used to breeze up the Avon River to “the creek” for a “dip”. Captain Trefry is another “Salt of Salts,” of the deep water variety, and comes of the breed who have made Nova Scotian sea-dogs famous the world over. If anyone can ask him a question as to his ship the winds, the tides and shoals which Capt. Trefry can’t answer, we’ll hand him the palm.

Martin Boston, Chief Engineer, Freeman Smith, Steward, Frank Forbes, Oiler Lorway Morris, A.B. [Able Body Seaman] and A. Parker, A.B. complete the crew of this splendid vessel.

FINE ACCOMMODATION

“Personally conducted” by the attentive skipper we toured the decks, engine room and steward’s quarters and cabin. The broad main deck for’ard is designed especially for the accommodation of autos. Clear [of] all obstructions, this large area is of ample size to receive up to 9 cars, on their own wheel base, with ease and safety. The after deck and promenade deck are fitted with comfortable seats, while above a spacious Awning Deck offers inviting comfort and an unobstructed view of the beautiful Basin and the picturesque shore.

THE CABINS

An ample main saloon upholstered in green plush is reached from either promenade deck. Opening off the main saloon is a small dining saloon upholstered in leather on the starboard side, while on the port side is a ladies room with well appointed toilet. The waist of the ship is taken up with engine room superstructure. The for’ard cabins consist of the officers rooms, and on the port side a snug smoking room and gentlemen’s toilet with every convenience. All passengers’ cabins and quarters are steam heated.

An interesting feature is the steward’s galley and the mess room opening off the starboard deck. When we visited here the steward was in the ‘midst of preparing a savory evening meal, and be it said, yielding to temptation from our friend Herman of the “Halifax Herald” we ignominiously stole and pocketed a handful of delicious cookies when the steward wasn’t looking. Later, however, Steward Smith heaped coals of fire on our journalistic heads by inviting us to a tempting spread of Kippered Herring, coffee, biscuits, jellies and “fixings”—a real salt water fare which was put away with salt water relish. The fo’c’sle is equipped with four staunch, comfortable berths, stove, toilet, etc., entirely below decks and reached by a companionway.

AUTOS CAREFULLY HANDLED

An interesting feature also is the powerful hoisting equipment designed for the handling of freight and especially of autos at Kingsport and Parrsboro. Any size or type of car can be loaded and unloaded with speed and safety. The present method of loading and un-loading is to run the car into a cradle, the cradle being lifted by means of the ship’s hoist. This the car is subject to no strain whatever. Plans are underway for the construction of an electric elevator to be installed at the Parrsboro terminus just as soon as arrangements can be made for an all-day electric service. Later a similar electric lift will be installed at Kingsport pier, thus simplifying still further the handling of this class of traffic which is most important from the standpoint of tourist business.

ADEQUATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Special mention must be made of the complete safety equipment of the “Kipawo.” This includes two staunch life boats, each having a certified capacity of 15 passengers. Adequate life-raft equipment is being installed, and life buoys are readily accessible from all points of the ship. Signal apparatus and fire-protective equipment are provided in accordance with the requirements of Lloyds and the Canadian Government.

THE BRIDGE

The “brains” of the ship are housed in a well equipped pilot house, where every chart, instrument and aid to navigation that could possibly be needed, are to be found. To the rear of the wheel house is the Captain’s cabin and ship’s office. This completed our inventory of the motor vessel “Kipawo” which will inevitably play a large and important part in the development of the Valley and of Nova Scotia.

A GLORIOUS SAIL

Nothing could be more delightful or refreshing than the cruise across the Basin of Minas. Almost completely landlocked, even fresh water sailors (such as editors) may venture out in any kind of weather without fear of “mal de mer” and on her twenty mile course the ship sails by scores of points of historic and romantic interest and through scenes of unsurpassed beauty. On the Kings County side the outstanding feature is the towering cliff on the North Mountain which attempting to force its way out into the swirling waters of Minas Basin is bent backwards as though by the mighty pressure of the rushing tides to form the frowning bluff of Blomidon and taper westward until it terminates in the far-jutting headland of Cape Split. Past this corrugated sandstone wall, with its sparse growth of storm-resisting birch and fir, the “Kipawo” glides through the reddish water that Avon River pours into the Bay of Fundy’s open maw until past Blomidon she slips into greener water, where the balmy atmosphere of the Evangeline country changes to the sharper invigorating sea air that draws in from the open sea. Here the breeze whips the surface into curling white caps for the space of a few miles, until under the urge of the pulsing engine the good ship draws in under the protection of the Cumberland shore.

THE CUMBERLAND SHORE

The latter is not inferior in scenic beauty to that we have just left, but stretches in varied and intriguing contour far as the eye can reach, from Cape Sharp to Five Islands. Just ahead it breaks to form the little landlocked harbor of Parrsboro with its long, cottage-lined sand beach, stretching eastward invitingly. The sail from Wolfville to Parrsboro takes a little less than two hours, every minute of which is freighted with delight and wonder at the ever-changing view, the crisp air and rushing tides.

WELL PATRONIZED

16 passengers crossed on the “Kipawo” on her first trip, May 1st, and about the same number were on board for Monday’s trip. On the latter occasion Hance J. Logan, ex-M. P. For Cumberland and Mayor Spicer of Parrsboro and Mrs. Spicer were among the passengers. Others making the trip were Messrs. Geo. E. Herman of “The Halifax Herald”, F. G. J. Comeau, General Freight and Passenger Agent of the Dominion Atlantic; K. L. Chipman, Travelling Freight and Passenger Agent and W. J. Curran, Passenger Department.

WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

A great deal of credit is due to Mr. Logan for the splendid service now being inaugurated by the D. A. R. on this route. The time had come, Mr. Comeau explained to The Advertiser, when a larger boat with better accommodation was necessary if the service was to be continued. It was largely through the earnest interest of Mr. Logan and of F. C. McDade, President of the Parrsboro Board of Trade, that the problem was finally worked out and difficulties overcome. Among the obstacles was the urgent need for new wharf accommodation at the Parrsboro terminus. Mr. Logan and Mr. McDade “kept after” both the government and the D. A. R. management with the result that contracts were eventually concluded for a subsidized daily passenger and freight service (Sunday excepted) during the season of navigation, and a fine new 600 ft. Pier is now under construction by the Dominion Government at Parrsboro, which, it is expected, will be completed by July of this year.

A POPULAR ROUTE

With the increasing motor travel, and the splendid facilities now provided by the “Kipawo”, the Minas Basin route is destined to be one of the most popular for tourist travel in the Maritimes. For sight seeing travellers it provides an unexcelled short trip at low cost and enables motorists and others to make a round trip, out of Halifax or other points, returning home with out retracing the same route. For business and commercial travel the route is invaluable. The distance from Kentville to Parrsboro via Kingsport is about 30 miles, covered in say 3 hours, while by rail via Windsor and Truro the distance is over 160 miles and “spoils 2 days each way.”

PREDICTS BIG YEAR

Mr. Comeau, the popular General Freight and Passenger Agent of the D. A. R. System, predicted to The Advertiser that 1926 will be one of the biggest if not the biggest year for tourist travel Nova Scotia has ever experienced. The D. A. R. Is preparing for heavy travel, and while motor travel has interfered somewhat with the tourist revenue of railways in recent years, it is stated that the railway is coming into its own again very rapidly. The comfort and convenience offered by Dominion Atlantic facilities, couple with the almost unexampled care and courtesy shown by Dominion Atlantic employees everywhere, is the company’s best guarantee that the D. A. R. Route through the Evangeline country will continue and increase in popularity with the passing of the years.

The Advertiser, we believe, speaks for the entire Valley community in extending to Mr. George E. Graham, General Manager of the D. A. R., and to his entire staff, hearty congratulations upon the foresight, courage and constructive optimism which is being materialized and given practical expression in such definite and concrete ways as this — the inauguration of the “Kipawo” service on the Minas Basin route.

SPECIFICATIONS OF MOTOR VESSEL KIPAWO

All steel hull and equipment
Tonnage: 200 tons gross
Length Overall: 123 feet
Beam: 26 feet
Draft: 8 feet
Speed: 11 1/2 knots
Power: C. F. M. [Canadian Fairbanks Morse] Diesel Oil Engine 4 cylinder 240 Brake Horse Power
Steering Gear: Compressed Air
Electric Lighted Throughout
Heating: All cabins steam heated
Licensed Capacity: 100 passengers
Safety Equipment: 2 life boats, life rafts, buoys, fire extinguishers, signals flares etc. Conforming to Lloyds and Canadian Government specifications
Freight Capacity: 8 automobiles or equivalent in miscellaneous freight
Hoisting Gear: Power derrick 6000 lbs, hoist 30 feet per minute
Complement: (Captain and Crew) 7 men
Architect: Wm. H. Milne M. I. N. A.
Builders: St. John Dry Dock and [Shipbuilding Co.]

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