Trillium (ferry)
The Trillium is a sternwheel ferry operated by Toronto Island Ferry, in Ontario, Canada. Toronto Ferry Services operates a fleet of ferries between its terminal at Bay Street and Queens Quay and three landing points on the Toronto Islands.
She was built in 1913 by Polson Iron Works.[1] Some references put her date of construction a 1910.[2][3][4] The Trillium was retired in 1957, allowed to sink in a lagoon in the Toronto Islands, but was restored and returned to service in 1976.
The Trillium collided with the former MS Normac in 1981.[5][6] The Normac a former Great Lakes passenger vessel had been converted to a floating restaurant, and had been permanently moored in the Yonge Street slip since 1970. A mechanical failure caused the Trillium to stop before colliding with the restaurant. The restaurant developed a slow leak, which caused it to sink two weeks later.
A 29-year-old man drowned after jumping off the Trillium while attending the 1993 Caribana festival. He jumped off at 11 pm on July 29, telling friends that he would meet them on shore at Ontario Place. The Trillium was about 300 ft (91.44 m) from shore. Police recovered his body on the 30th.[7] The victim's mother was hurt by speculation about his sobriety.[8]
References
- ↑ Nautical History, Save Ontario Shipwrecks, 2003. Retrieved on 2011-12-21. “The Iron Works only two existing ships in Toronto are the Trillium (built in 1913, which still ferry's passengers to Centre Island) and the RCYC passenger ferry Kwasind (1913).”
- ↑ Trillium. Canadian Transportation Agency (2006-03-08). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ↑ Hail to the Trillium, Scanner magazine, Toronto Marine Historical Society, Summer 1976. Retrieved on 2008-11-21.
- ↑ The Elegant Paddle Steamer. The Great Lakes Schooner Company. Retrieved on 2008-11-21.
- ↑ Captain John's boat leaves watery grave, Maritime History of the Great Lakes, 1986-06-15. Retrieved on 2012-03-22.
- ↑ Captain John's Restaurant sinks, Heritage Toronto, 2008-10-06. Retrieved on 2012-03-22.
- ↑ "Body of man, 29, found on bottom of lake", 31 July 1993, p. A04. Retrieved on 1 August 2011.
- ↑ Lisa Wright. "Police find body of man who leapt from ferry boat", 1 August 1993, p. A13. Retrieved on 31 July 2011.