The last located reference to schooner traffic from Mount Stewart occurs during the autumn of 1926 when the “Henry Miller” and “A. H. Whitman,” after having been loaded with produce, were piloted down river by Mr. James MacIntyre. The emphasis at that time was shifting from water to railroads. In 1928, the need for increased facilities for shipping potatoes prompted the ONE to increase its yard room at Mount Stewart. In the same year, H. F. Feehan had a warehouse moved from his wharf to a position near the railroad station, intending to use it for the storage of potatoes. Messrs W. L. MacLeod and R. C. Clark built new potato ware— houses adjacent to the tracks during the same year. The day of the schooner was over.

As they travelled down the Hillsborough, the schooner creWS often marked the shrill blast of a steamboat’s whistle, warning prospective cus— tomers to repair to Hickey’s, Haggerty’s or Hayden’s wharf to be in readi- ness for the craft’s arrival. A regularly scheduled steamer service existed between Charlottetown and Mount Stewart for over half a century, and the customary runs of this accommodation were interspersed with trips especially arranged for pleasure excursionists.

The pleasure excursions, of course, featured attractions not avail— able to the ordinary traveller. Thus, when the Sons of Temperance en- gaged the steamer “Rose” for a trip to Mount Stewart in September, 1852, they took along their brass band. The conductor, Mr. Russell Foster, had arranged “some entirely new and beautiful pieces” for the occasion. On August 18, 1896, the members of Kingston Star Division made an excur- sion to Mount Stewart the occasion for their annual picnic. According to the Examiner, refreshments of the “first quality” were “amply provided” by the ladies, and “amusements usual on such occasions were commenced, and everything done to ‘let joy be confined’. ” Certain advantages, not- ably the magnificent scenery, were freely available to all. Writing 1n the Patriot for August 11,1877 under the heading “Pleasant Ways and Days” a correspondent exclaimed that for sheer perfection the trip should be undertaken on a moonlit night. In addition to the natural attractions which present themselves on either hand, the traveller is advised to watch for Falconwood, the Stock Farm, the new Insane Asylum and Fort Augus- tus Chapel Nearing Mount Stewart, as an added treat, he might exper- ience the excitement of a race with the railway train “that approaches the bank near there.’ A guide- book written in 1861 informs the traveller that if he remains at Mount Stewart overnight, there will be time to visit the north coast, either at Savage Harbour or Tracadie, on foot, “both places being within an easy walk.” People were great walkers in those days. An excursionist once asked the late Isaac Jay the distance to the coast. Upon being informed that it was five miles distant, he remarked that he had been there before breakfast.

According to W. H. Croskill, in his book, Prince Edward Island, the “Rosebud,” the first steamer to do so, navigated the East River in 1855. References, however, may be found to pleasure excursions to Mount Ste- wart as early as 1851. Mr. Croskill may have been referring to a regularly scheduled steamboat service. At any rate, it is definite that the steamer “Ino” was plying these waters on a permanent basis in 1856. Calling at several public wharves along the way for passengers and freight, the “Ino,” during the course of her semi-weekly trips, was well patronized by farmers who took their produce to the city market. :Before the Steam- boat Wharf, later Feehan’ s Wharf, was constructed, steamers were moored to the bridge while at Mount Stewart.

.._51__