Not all goods transported on the river were carried by boats. Logs were rafted to Charlottetown as late as 193 8. Trees were cut in the upper parts of the West River () 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 newspaper article. DOUBLE DROWNING IN WEST RIVER Captain William McRae and William McLeod Lost Their Lives the Former in an Attempt to Rescue the Latter Who Had Fallen Overboard. Another sad fAtalltvls added to this season's already long list In the drowning Monday night of Cap tain. William HcSae of the motor boat Btrathgartney, plying between Bonshaw and Charlottetown , and William Mcl .eod, son of Mr Mur ¬ doch MoLood, The boat qn a special trip left Char¬ lottetown for Bon:haw about 9 o'¬ clock. As nearly as can bo ascertained, the boat was off McKwen's wharf when the accident took place. It was some time between ten and eleven o'clock. The night was exceptionally dark, necessitating soundings to bo mado, as tho boat proceeded up (lie narrow channel. Mr. McLeod was taking soundings ■with a long pole, and -while doing 1 this lost lila balance somehow and fell overboard. Mr. McRae at once Jumped In to the rescue, but the current, being very strong, carried both men out Into the stream. Mr. Theophllus Beaton , of Bonshaiy, wk» was at this time attending to the engine, hearing tho cries of his companions In the water, attempt ed vainly to locate them. He could he^r tno men In tho water but owing to the darkness was unable to see them. The cur¬ rent widened th< distance between the men ..and tlie boat. Finally Beaton succeeded In getting the boat to the wharf and gave tho alarm. Yesterday morning search for the bodies began but up to dark last night neither of them had been recovered, Tho sad affair has cast a pall of sadness over Bonshaw where the two men wero well known anfl' held In tho highest personal es¬ teem by all. Mr. Mcltao was about 45 years of age and lenves a wife and eleven children nine of whom i 'rr at home, the other two In the United, States. Mr. McLeod Was 21 years of age and unmarried The her aved families have the deepest sympathy of all In the sorrow they hnve been bo, suddenly called upon to hear. Guardian August 18th 1920 pgl -78-