Trillium and Toronto Island

By Mike Filey

Book Overview

The year was 1910 and signs of progress were in the air. That June, a new steam ferry for the Toronto Island Company was launched and christened the Trillium. Only briefly mentioned in the local dailies at the time, the double-end, side-padded island ferry cruised the waters of Toronto Bay for nearly fifty years. After forty-six years of service, the Trillium retired in 1956, only to be saved from the scrap yard in 1973. The Trillium made its second debut in 1976 as a fully operational steam ferry and is still in service today.

As the Trillium reaches the century mark, Mike Filey revisits the history of this fascinating Canadian ship. With a new preface and updated photographs, including some in colour. Filey traces Trillium's remarkable rise, fall, and rebirth in a book that honours one of Toronto's most interesting treasures.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1554887372
• ISBN13: 9781554887378
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Dundurn Press
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A Good History of both a Ferry Service and a Historic Ferry

"Trillium and Toronto Island" provides a good history in words and black and white pictures of the development of the Toronto - Toronto Island, Ontario, Canada ferry service, as well as a nostalgic look at life and recreation on the island in the past.The book's latter half comes to focus on the life, death and inspiring restoration of the steam ferry Trillium, and includes not only good, large photos of all phases of her career and rebirth (including excellent detail photos of her reconstruction in 1973-75), but a side profile drawing of the ship, and a perspective drawing of her main engine as well, both complete with specifications and statistics. Although the book ends with her triumphal return to service in 1975, its happy ending continues yet, as Trillium is still reported to be steaming across Toronto's harbour for special events, charters and occasional busy holiday weekends."Trillium and Toronto Island" will be of interest to ship and ! ! ferry enthusiasts, maritime and social history buffs, preservationists interested in saving old ships, and anyone who has ever been to (or would like to go to) Toronto Island!