Not all goods transported on the river were carried by boats. Logs were rafted to Charlottetown as late as 1938. Trees were cut in the upper parts of the West River (Green Bay) and logs floated down to a boom across the river at Bonshaw bridge. Here they were made into rafts and poled with the tide as far as Crosby's Point from which they would be towed to Charlottetown (23). 'Toff Beaton was recalled as having towed rafts for Neil Salmond (15).

In the winter when the boats could not run and the ice was thick enough, the river was used as a highway (15).

As road transportation improved in terms of the road surface and the carrying capacity of

trucks, the use of the river decreased and finally ceased as a means of moving goods by the time of the Second World War (11).

Unfortunately river travel was not without its hazards, as can be seen from the following

DOUBLE nanwnme mwarmua

Captain William McRae and William McLeod lost Their Lives the Farmer in an Attempt to

Rescue the Latter Who Had Fallen Overboard.

Another sed‘ fatality-is added to this season's already long list in the drowning Monday night of Cap

was at this time attending to the engine, hearing the cries of his

tain,William Menao of the motor boat Strnthgnrtney, plying between Bonshaw and Charlottetown. and WiUiam McLeod, son of Mr Mur- dock McLeod, New Ilaveh The boat on a special trip left Char- lottetown for Boaehaw about 9 o'- clock.

As nearly as can be ascertained. the boat was off McEwen's wharf when the accident took place. was some time between ten and

eleven o'clock. The night exceptionally dark,

Mr. McLeod was taking soundings

It'

was necessitating

soundings to be made, as the boat proceeded up the narrow' channel.

companions in the water. attempt ed vainly to locate them.

110 could hear the men in the water but owing to the darkness was unable to see them, The cur-

rent widened tin distance between the men..antl the boat. Finally Beaton succeeded in getting the boat to the wharf and gave the alarm. Yesterday morning search for the bodies began but up to dark last night neither of them had been recovered.

The end affair has cast a pull of sadnees over Bonshaw where the two men were 'well known and' held in the highest personal es- teem by all. Mr_ Mcllao was about 45‘)?an of age and leaves a wife

with a long pole, and while dOlngtmid eleven children nine of whom lthle lost his balance Homein and prr at home, the other two in the

Ifel] overboard. Mr, McRne at once "tilled Slates. 'Mr. McLeod thfi

24 years of age and unmarried. ’l‘he ‘jumped in to the rescue, bUt the her'uved families have the deepest

Acurront, being very strong, carried sympathy of all in the sorrow they both men out tnto'the stream. Mr. have, been so. suddenly called upon ’I‘heophiluafileatonmfBonshaw,who to bear.

Guardian August 18th 1920 pgl

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