1947:

An era comes to an end, as the No. 6 ferry between Vancouver and West Vancouver makes its final run. The service, taking passengers to West Vancouver from the foot of Columbia Street for close to forty years, has been rendered obselete by the construction of bridges across the narrows.

“We always set our clocks by the ferry whistle,” says Mrs. I.L. Dollman, speaking with reporters. “We have had the most wonderful skippers. We were never nervous, even in the most terrible fogs. I’ve sat below in the old Sonrisa when waves broke over the top and we rolled from side to side.”

A send-off ceremony takes place that evening, attended by former “skippers, mates, engineers”, and members of the general public; it includes speeches, remembrances, some tears, and the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne”.

Image: North Vancouver Ferry No.2 (aka ‘St. George’) in Burrard Inlet, circa 1904. Photo Courtesy of the Vancouver Archives.