1884-08-29 Two Rescues at the Canal

In the summer of 1884, railway trains had no problem getting across the Burlington Canal, the canal which connected Lake Ontario with Burlington bay. There was a bridge which carried the trains across the canal, but the bridge could be swung out of the way when large boats on their way to or from Hamilton had to pass through.

For overland travellers, there was no bridge. Those driving horse and buggies were required to use a ferry scow to get across the canal.

On August 28, 1884, there was one horse that did not follow the usual routine with the ferry scow:

“Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Ghent, Of Ghent’s crossing, on the Beach, was driving home from Waterdown. He waited on the north side of the piers for the ferry scow to come across, and while he waited his horse got frightened and jumped in. Mr. Ghent swam ashore.”¹

“In the Canal : A Couple of Accidents at Burlington Piers”

Hamilton Spectator.   August 29, 1884.

The lighthouse beside the canal was the responsibility of Captain Campbell, who also was in charge of the ferry scow operations:

“Captain Campbell’s assistance was secured, and he took a line out, tied it around the horse’s neck, cut the harness and towed the horse ashore.

Subsequently he brought in the buggy. One of the shafts was broken, but beyond this and the cut harness, no damage was done.

Captain Campbell supplied Mr. Ghent with dry clothes and he went home, taking the horse with him, but leaving the buggy behind.”¹

Captain Campbell was involved in another incident at the canal which took place almost as soon as Mr. Ghent had left:

“A short time afterwards, David Cook, proprietor of the Franklin house, who was fishing from one of the piers, slipped and fell in the canal. Captain Campbell happened to be by at the time, and he got Cook out without much trouble, and little the worse for his involuntary ducking.

The captain is a most efficient man to have at the Beach in more ways than one.”¹