Image: The ferry boat pictured above (circa 1935) was operated by the provincial government. The man on the far right is believed to be Marilyn Cameron's grandfather. The ferry service eventually ceased when the Seal Island Bridge was opened in 1961. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Cameron of Baddeck.

~Joan MacInnes, The Victoria Standard

For approximately one hundred years, there was a ferry service connecting the two communities of Big Harbour and Ross Ferry that were located opposite each other on the Bras d’or Lake. Prior to the mid 1920s, the ferries were operated by private individuals.

In Ross Ferry, Angus Ross and Philip Fraser were the ferrymen. The Matheson family of Big Harbour ran a ferry for many years. At that time, there were no formal schedules drawn up – only crossing when passengers showed up – day and night. My former neighbour, Mr. Jess Matheson, life-long resident of Big Harbour, was the last of the private ferrymen.

In or around 1925, the provincial government took over this ferry service. Improvements were introduced with regard to the operation which included new docking facilities, and other amenities as required over the ensuing years.

Marilyn Cameron of Baddeck provided the picture depicted in this article which was taken in the early to the mid-1930s. It, along with other photos, was found in a metal box in her grandfather’s house in South Haven. His name was Roderick (Rod) Ferguson and he was her mother’s father. Mr. Ferguson had been employed by the Department of Highways - Ferry Service for a number of years. It is believed that he is the gentleman to the far right on the deck of the boat. The readers will probably notice that the lake was frozen over and that the ferryboat was keeping a narrow path free of ice – this procedure was often the normal back in those days.

By the late 1950s, it became quite evident the ferries at this location could not adequately keep up with the volume of traffic. Therefore, it was decided that a bridge would be the solution. Seal Island was chosen as it was the narrowest site on the lake. There were two possible routes to that destination. One was to construct a new road along the lake via the New Harris Road. The other route would go through the communities of Glen Tosh and South Haven and over Kelly’s Mountain. The later route was chosen. In November 1961, The Seal Island Bridge was officially opened and the ferry service between Big Harbour and Ross Ferry ceased. With the closure, many jobs were lost, both directly and indirectly, and as a result, people were forced to move away.