Alice Marwick, native of Cochrane Ontario wrote a famous book called The Northland Post, published in 1950, which capturing the history of Cochrane right from the beginning up until that point.
Alice M. Cassiopeia IV
[The] Alice M. – Canadian List of Shipping 1970: Steel ferry The Alice M. [C.188762] registered at Toronto. Built at Owen Sound in 1957. 50’; 40 g.t. Renamed b] Cassiopeia IV. Canadian List of Ships 1997: Cassiopeia IV [C.188762] registered at Toronto. Built at Owen Sound in 1957. Rebuilt in 1961. 15m; 40 g.t. Owned by The Minister of Transportation, Toronto, Ontario. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by The Minister of Transportation, Toronto, Ontario. Transport Canada List 2002: Built by Russel-Hipwell Engine Co., Owen Sound, Ont. Transport Canada List 2003: Owned by The Minister of Transport, Downsview, Ontario.
GAO notes: The Russel built ferry CASSIOPEIA IV courtesy of the Ministry of Transportation - photo credit to Tony Roldan 2003.
CASSIOPEIA IV was launched as THE ALICE M. and was still listed as such in the 1970 Canadian List of Ships. Some additional research will have to be done to find out what year the name was changed. Judging by the registration date 1963-04-18 at Toronto would likely be when it was acquired by the Ministry of Transportation.
This vessel operates 32km north of Cochrane, Ontario on Highway 579. The ferry service operates approximately 9 months of the year across the Abitibi River. It is replaced by an ice bridge during winter freeze up. Average crossing for the past year consisted of 10,850 vehicles. The service is free.
Alice M. 1965 in it`s first location on the Abitibi River. Photo courtesy Shawn MacDonald.
Alice M., 1975. Looking at the west shore landing of the Abitibi River.
Cassiopeia VI, Dec. 6, 2013. Looking at the east shore landing of the Abitibi River.
Oct. 2014 image by matt m saved from Google Maps March 2020.
Backroads Bill knows that the Chi-Cheemaun is one of Ontario's most famous ferries, crossing from Tobermory to Manitoulin Island. But he set out to find a couple more ferries, ones that may be a little off the beaten path, but occupy an unique place in northern Ontario's landscape.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/backroads-bill-ferry-1.3705668
Cassiopeia IV, Gardiner, ON, 2016.
Cassiopeia VI, Apr. 8, 2017. Abitibi River shore. Photos by Shawn MacDonald. Click to enlarge.
Ferry Cassiopeia IV crossing on the Abitibi River at Gardiner, ON, Dec. 18, 2018. Photos by Shawn MacDonald.
Nov 3 2019. Cassiopeia lV formerly known as the Alice M, in service located in Gardiner, Ontario north of Cochrane Ontario. Pictures of controls and winch system. It always returns to the side with the shack on it. Photos by Shawn MacDonald.
Abitibi River ice crossing, Gardiner Ontario. Cassiopeia IV ferry waiting on the river bank to be put back in service after spring break up. Shawn MacDonald photos, March 8, 2020.
Gardiner is a Dispersed Rural Community and unincorporated place in geographic Blount Township, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately 30 kilometres north of the town of Cochrane, and is the northern terminus of Ontario Highway 579. The ferry crossing is lower left in the shown map. https://goo.gl/maps/TFfxhU7VaCShFbbM6
For more Russel exhibits visit Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum 1165 1st Ave West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K8 (519) 371-3333 http://marinerail.com
http://marinerail.com
