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Assinboia captain recalls days on board by Shirley Whittington Captain Ernest H. Ridd is a tall clear-eyed man with broad shoulders and strong hands. It is easy to imagine him in the trim brass-buttoned uniform of the CPR Lake passenger fleet. Captain Ridd wore the gold braid for many years. He was Captain of the S.S. Assiniboia from 1957 until 1965 when the high white ship, (and her sister the Keewatin) were withdrawn from service. "She was steel hulled,"' says Captain Ridd, "but there was a lot of wood in her. It would have cost too much to refit her to conform to Department of WIPE Ne Oye eee regulations." The two ships began their annual runs from Port MecNicoll to the Lakehead in /pril. For two months, they carried freight but the second week in June_ they became the glamour girls of the Lakes,. as_ the passenger season began. Holidayers arrived on special boat trains at Port McNicoll, where beautifully tended flower beds at dock side greeted them. Captain Ridd stood . at the head of the gangplank, and welcomed passengers aboard for the five day excursion, which was luxurious and relaxing, in the tradition. of ocean voyages. The 200 passengers enjoyed. sumptuous, many-coursed meals in the elegantly appointed dining rooms. Bouillon was sé@rved on deck at 11:00 aym., by white jacketted stewards, and after lunch, they brought out afternoon tea. In the evenings, there were dances, singsongs and movies. And on all sides, passengers were able to enjoy some of Canada's most spectacular scenery. "TI was fond of that ship,'"' says Captain Ridd. "Everything was kept up nicely. We kept all the brass shined, and the woodwork polished."' The passenger season finished on Labour day, but the Assiniboia and Keewatin continued to labour up the Lakes, carrying freight until well into December. Great Lakes adventures "Oh - There were storms, "says Captain Ridd. "'You couldn't stay on the Lakes without storms. But in my time, there was good com- munication, and nothing ' too serious ever happened while I was on board." The Assiniboia's biggest misadventure happened long before Captain Ridd's time. It was in 1909, when she was sitting above the Soo locks waiting for passage through. Below, waiting to lock up, was the freighter, Perry |) G. Walker. Her captain got his signals crossed, and the Walker plunged into the lower gates. All of Lake Superior came flooding in, and brought the Assiniboia un- ceremoniously with it. "It was,"' Says Captain Ridd, "the fastest locking in history." The great storm of 1913 was also before Captain Ridd's time on the Lakes, Bute Hiss. ship; the Assiniboia, weathered it without mishap. On that black night of November 9, eight ships foundered and two hundred lives were lost. When the Assiniboia arrived at Fort William, she was sheathed in 400 tons of ice. Both the Assiniboia and the Keewatin were built in Glascow Scotland, and crossed the Atlantic under their own power. The St. Lawrence ship- ping canals however posed a challenge. They were too small for the big ships, so they were cut in two and towed, in bow and stern sections, to Lake Ontario through the Welland Canal to Buffalo. There the two halves were reunited, and the Great White Sisters, as they were known, became a stirring sight on the Lakes. The Assiniboia was the flagship of the fleet. When her days as a passenger liner were ended, she was sold to American in- terests in Philadelphia. As she was being refitted for a second career as a floating restaurant, she caught fire. "Then she was scrapped," says Captain Ridd. "It was a sad end for a nice old lady." The Keewatin is now a marine museum at Sagatuk on Lake Michigan. Started as deck-hand Captain Ridd says he honestly doesn't know how he came by his longing to be a sailor, but he started up the CPR ladder of responsibility in 1928, when he signed aboard the Keewatin as deck hand. Over the years, he sailed on the Alberta and the Manitoba, and eventually moved to the Assiniboia as first mate. He served as Captain of the Keewatin for three years, and then returned to the Assiniboia as Captain. Now retired, Captain Ridd lives in a twelfth floor apartment with a panoramic . view. of Georgian Bay. He says he doesn't miss sailing, but since he's been retired, he's spent a lot of time on the water. He's been twice to his birthplace, England, by steamer. He's also taken two Carribean cruises. "Td far rather travel by ship than by plane," he says. His most extensive voyage was a two month journey by sea through the South Pacific to Japan, and back. "No, I wasn't seasick,"' he says, "but I was glad to go ashore. Two months is a long time." Would he like to see passenger ships running out of Port MeNicoll again? "Oh yes,"' he says with a slow smile, "but it's awfully costly to build passenger ships these days." And even if they did, it's doubtful that any modern ship could sail the Lakes with the aplomb of those two White Sisters from Port MecNicoll - the Assiniboia and_ the Keewatin. aw AND ch i in iin ii ie ANE? Wood S ood S wack FREEZERS starting as low as l 39.00 full food spoilage WARRANTY We have 8 units including 7-8-12-16-22 cu. ft. freezers that are- only slightly scratched or dented at the plant and are able to offer these freezers at TRULY BIG SAVINGS. 1 ONLY- used 14 cu. WE HAVE A SIZE AND PRICE FOR EVERY BUDGET 36 Fiome Furnishings ure 101 Main St. Penetanguishene "You Furnish The House, We Furnish The Home" ft. freezer $150.00. 549-8912 In days gone by (late) wife Kathleen, and Chief Engineer Fred Irvine. In the background are Reeve Labert Calvert and Sid Mailin, Port McNicoll Harbour Master in 1957. Photo courtesy Captain Ridd A proud moment - it was during Captain Ridd's first year as captain of the Assiniboia that he was presented with the traditional silk topper by George Patterson, then of McNicoll. Standing beside Captain Ridd is his The Place Setting MIDLAND The Place to purchase your fine china, crystaland giftware. ARE YOU" ELIGIBLE TO VOTE on Thursday, June 9th? Qualified voters must be on the NEW List of VOTERS in order to vote. RSE REN led gone We wish to thank the people who helped to make our first week a success. Winners of the opening. draw were: Norma Pender, Midland; winner of a place setting of china in the pattern of her choice. Doreen Parent, Perkinsfield; winner of a set of crystal of her choice. Dishes and accessories for every dining need... 711 YONGE ST., MIDLAND 526-8523 Captain E. Rid today church a directory 4% Om THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF FLOS SCHEDULE OF MASSES: Father Neil Varley Phelpston: Sun.9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Allenwood: Sat. 6:30p.m. Sun. 9, 10, 11a.m. | Elmvale: Sat.7:30p.m. Sun. 10:00a.m. Know and PRESBYTERI RCH = | AN CHU IN CANADA understand this Minister: Rev. Sydney McDonald BA gifted, dedicated Phones: The Church 322-1411, The Manse, 322-2453 Elmvale Church: Christian Education, 10a.m. young man... TAYLOR CARES - Christian Worship, 11 a.m. UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA He has served Simcoe Centre over 9 years, in- Hh St. John's -- Elmvale Minister; Rev. B. Gazzard cluding: What motives prompt George Taylor to seek the provincial seat for Simcoe Centre Riding rl CHECK NOW---Do YOU have "Form 103"? A new List of Voters is compiled for every Election. By now you should have a receipt (Form 103---see illustration)--proof that you have been enumerated and therefore are eligible to vote. Take Form 103 with you to the Polling Place when you go to vote at the Advance Poll or on Election Day{ June 9th ENUMER ATORS' ey keh RECORD Ea> 103 noord F (may TaN Kure USE CAPITAL Le Tay Raat OF BOTT CHECK AGAIN- YOU HAVE NO "FORM 103"? Possibly you were not at home on the two separate occasions when the ofticial Enumerators called. If you do not have a Form 103 (as illustrated), then you are not on the new List of Voters and, therefore, will be ineligible to vote on June 9th UNLESS YOU ACT NOW! Worship: 11:00 a.m. (Nursery during Service) Phones: Church 322-1472, Manse 322-1522 Wyevale United Church: 11:30a.m. Waverley United Church: 10:00a.m. Rey. Allan J. McLaughlin, Minister H SALVATION ARMY Capt. and Mrs. Roy Figley The Salvation Army are meeting in the Youth Hall at the rear of 251 2nd St., Midland. 9:30 a.m.--Sunday School for all ages 11:00a.m.--Sunday Morning Meeting 7 p.m.--Sunday Evening Tues. 7 p.m. --Prayer and Bible Fellowship Wed. 2:00 p.m.--Ladies Meetings. Appointments for Spiritual help 526-2751--Captain and Mrs. R. C. Figley. THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF ELMVALE Rector: The Rev. J. Allan Kirk Rectory --322-2115 Church --322-2712 i SERVICES: Sunday, 9:15 a.m. - The Church of the Good Shepherd, Wyebridge - morning prayer - 1st, 3rd and 5th week. Holy Eucharist - 2nd and 4th week. CHECK-IN ORDER TO VOTE-IT IS YOUR RE- SPONSIBILITY AND NO ONE ELSE'S TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE NEW LIST OF VOTERS. e United Appeal Director e YM-YWCA Director e Campaign ~ Chairman, Canadian Cancer Society e School Trustee e Law Reform - land speculation, landlord tenant, and education acts and administration of justice. Recognized for a proven capacity to serve On June 9, Keep Simcoe Centre Secure, return a _ Progressive Conservative Government. Elect George Taylor Committee Rooms at 5 Dunlop St. W., Barrie Tel. 728-8711 Electoral District for the necessary information of how to get on the List of Voters--at the number listed r below. Listen carefully and have a pen and paper P. y ready to jot down the information. CHECK--RURAL RESIDENT? If you live in a rural area, and are qualified to vote, it will be much easier for you to vote on Election Day, (| June 9th), if your name'is on the List of Voters. However, qualified rural voters, not on the list before Election Day, may still get on' the list and vote by having a friend or neighbour on the same Polling subdivision list "vouch" for them on Oath at the Polling place. @/ELECTIONS ONTARIO (><) CHECK-PHONE the Returning Officer in your H You are ejigible to vote if you are 18 and over, a Canadian citizen or British subject and have resided in Ontario for at least the 12 months preceding Election Day,( JUNE 9TH )and your name is on THE NEW LIST OF VOTERS. _ E, Check this list for the phone number of the Returning Officer in your Electoral District. Simcoe Centre 1-705-726-7323 Simcoe East 1-705-325-9577 Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist - 11:15 a.m. Ist and 3rd week - Holy Eucharist - Wycliffe a Church, Elmvale morning prayer, 2nd, 4th and 5th week - St. John's Church, Waverley, 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist - 2nd Sunday, Morning Prayer - Other Weeks. Church School during Main Service at thechurches Page 16, Wednesday, May 18, 1977