PS Trillium/Bluebell Toronto

[Paulrjordan]

I found a rather pleaseing image of "Trillium" which I wanted to share
with you. It is from the Toronto Archives and is archive number
SC650-6. When I expanded the image so I could check on the name of the
vessel, low and behold it does not say "Trillium", but is lettered
"Bluebell". The same name appears on the side of the paddle box.

Although you cannot see this in the image on the URL below, the photo
is definitely a vessel marked "Bluebell" and definitely taken in
Toronto Harbour on it's way to Centre island. This would also be
prior to 1968 as there is no evidence of the Toronto Dominion Tower
and the tallest building in the picture is still the "Royal York
Hotel"

http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4293008403&p=4276299112&idx=9

Can someone throw some light on this? did "Trillium" have a sister or
was "Trillium" (as I suspect) originally named "Bluebell"? none of the
reference material I have read makes mention of "Trillium" having been
known by any other name.

PJ
Victoria, BC

[Paulrjordan]

> Can someone throw some light on this? did "Trillium" have a sister
> or was "Trillium" (as I suspect) originally named "Bluebell"? none
> of the reference material I have read makes mention of "Trillium"
> having been known by any other name.


OK..I'm answering my own post here. I've found out the answer to
this. "Trillium" is the only survivor of a fleet of eight Toronto
Island Ferries which in 1921 included the side paddlers "Trillium",
"Mayflower", "Bluebell" and "Primrose" along with the screw vessels
"Jasmine", "Clark Brothers", "John Hanlan" and "Luella."

I don't know the disposition of the other vessels, but none of them
survived other than "Trillium".

PJ

[Chris Andersen]

Thanks for your most kind introduction, Paul. I look forward to this group's discussions with great interest, and I will certanly keep you all abreast of developments in my alligator research and writing.

On another subject, do any of you out there have any infromation about the greatest "paddle" boat of them all, Knapp's "Roller Boat"? This extraordinary vessel is another one of my research interests of long-standing and I am always looking for additional information about its design, construction, modifications, (limited) service, and demise. If anyone can help, please contact me off-line at chris.andersen@sympatico.ca

Thanxabunch.

Chris