Life saving stations
Adapted from the History of the Great Lakes, Volume 1 by J B Mansfield, Chicago: J H Beers & Co 1899.
Early history on Lake Ontario
In 1882 the number of lives lost in these waters was 226; in 1883, it was 157; and in 1884, 160. Of the latter number 124 were lost at one time by the wreck of the steamship Daniel Steinman on the Atlantic coast, near Halifax. In November, 1882 the schooner Henry Folger was wrecked at Salmon Point, Lake Ontario, and eight persons drowned, all of whom, it was said, could have been saved had a lifeboat and crew been available. The Hon A W McLelan, who was then the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, and William Smith, the then Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries, both took a very active part in the matter and succeeded in organizing the nucleus of the present service under the authority of the government. Mr Smith was most strenuous in his efforts, making use of his Departmental staff and officers to get the several stations established and put in readiness to render service when required.
The first station equipped was that at Cobourg, which was established November 7, 1882. Daniel Rooney was the coxswain, and had a crew of six men. His salary was $75 per annum, and he was also paid $1.50 for each drill, the drills taking place twice each month during the season of navigation. The crew were each paid $1.50 for each drill. This station was, and is, equipped with a self-righting and self-bailing boat of the Dobbins pattern, which is 25 feet long over all, and eight feet beam. It cost $575 and was made at Goderich, Ontario. Mr Rooney has been the coxswain ever since the establishment of the station. He was paid, as a reward for saving the lives of two fishermen April 4, 1890, $22.
The station at Toronto was next established, March 1, 1883, William Ward being the coxswain appointed, who has held his position ever since. However, previous to the establishment of this government station there had been a voluntary life-saving crew on the island. The next station established was that at Wellington, Ont in 1883, with Hugh McCollough, coxswain. The station at Poplar Point [Note: more commonly known as Point Traverse], Prince Edward county, Ont was next established with Leroy Spafford as coxswain. Port Rowan, Ont was the next point at which a station was established, October 19, 1883 with J W McCall as coxswain.
During the year 1885 it was decided by the government to invite tenders for the supply of twelve lifeboats, of a similar description to the self-righting and self-bailing boats placed in 1883 at Poplar Point and Wellington. Six of these twelve boats were built at Goderich, by William Marlton, and six at Dartmouth, NS by John Williams, at a cost, including outfit, of $575 each. These twelve boats, when completed, were located as follows: two on Sable island; and one each at Devil's island, Duncan's cove, Yarmouth and Scatarie, and one each at Cobourg, Collingwood, Goderich, Port Stanley, Toronto and Pelee island, the latter six being in the Province of Ontario. After this action the first station established was that at Port Stanley, Ont, June 25, 1885 with William Berry, coxswain. The station at Collingwood was established September 2, 1885 with P Doherty as coxswain. The station at Goderich was established October 21, 1886 with William Babb as coxswain. The station at Port Hope was established November 6, 1889 with C R Nixon as coxswain and a crew of six men.