The engraving above appeared in the book “Picturesque Canada” published in 1882.
While the engraving doesn’t indicate what boat it was, the “transfer steamers” were the rail ferries. Some of the earlier ones were well equipped to moved passengers as well as cargo. The ship as it appears in the engraving was probably very similar to, if not in fact the Great Western as show below. Where in Windsor that scene depicted above was, I’m not sure. Perhaps it was a bit of artistic license?
More waterfront history; always fascinating! It would be a worthwhile endeavour to restore/preserve the structures where the rail ferries once docked and to develop the riverfront to tell the story of Windsor’s rairoad and marine past. This could be done by erecting points of interest kiosks or resting places for walkers/visitors with text and photos along the scenic waterfront.
Hmmm…….well, one of the rail ferries was infact named “Transfer” built at Cleavland in 1888, and looked very much like “Great Western”. “Great Western” was built in Walkerville in 1866. Later in life, unless there were two versions of these two ships, the superstructure was removed from both vessels, where they then resembled “Lansdowne”.
The iron hull of “Great Western” was rolled in Glascow, Scotland, and shipped to Walkerville in 10,878 peices.
“Transfer” worked for the Michigan Central Railroad from 1889-1912, and then for the Wabash Railroad from 1912-1938. It was probably stripped down after that and used as a barge until she was scrapped in Hamilton, in 1940.
As for the shot of Windsor, I’d agree there is a fair bit of artistic licensing going on here, but it does look like the top of the old Opera House is poking out, just left of the mast, on that single masted vessel close to shore, above the pedestrian ferry.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to see our city during those quiet, yet bustling times!
Based on a Print hanging in the Windsor Community Museum of the Windsor River boats (titled: Birds Eye View), the boat looks like the Transit that the people of sitting on – they are on the starboard side of the very upper deck; the stacks in front appear very much like the stacks in the picture of the Transit at the museum.