Visiting Toronto, Ontario, Canada? Interested in the history of the world-class city? Don’t overlook a ferry ride across the Toronto Harbour to the islands.
First off, you should be visiting the islands on any summertime trip to the city. It gives a totally different perspective on the place and provides some of the best photographic views of the downtown skyline.
Second, you will be travelling aboard history. The newest boat you’ll be aboard has been in service since 1963. The oldest has been carrying passengers since 1910. However, that boat took a timeout from 1957 to 1976 and was actually sunk in a lagoon in the islands.
All have been involved in the history of Toronto. Helping in emergencies. Helping to douse fires. One was hit by an airplane. Another is a murderer, causing a wake that overturned a canoe and drowned its two passengers.
See below for a video of the Thomas Rennie leaving and arriving back at the Centre Island terminal.
Toronto Island Ferry Image Gallery
Photos have been cropped to fit the gallery. For full-size versions, simply click on the individual pictures.
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PS Trillium
The PS Trillium first entered service as a passenger ferry in 1910. It was retired in 1957 and was actually left to deteriorate and sink in a lagoon in the Toronto Islands. At a cost of $950,000 ($3.9 million in today’s currency), the boat was renovated and re-entered service in 1976.
Built by Polson Iron Works, the ship originally had a capacity for 1,450 passengers. That total was dropped to 955 after 1976. Polson Iron Works was founded in 1886 and went out of business in 1919. The side wheeler steam ship in 45.7 metres or 150 feet in length.
William Inglis
The William Inglis entered service in 1935 as the Shamrock. The name changed in November of that first year. William Inglis was the head of the John Inglis Company. William passed away in November, 1935 and the Shamrocked was renamed to honour it’s builder.
Sam McBride (Sorry, no photographs)
The Sam McBride entered service in 1939 and is named for a former mayor of Toronto. The boat is 36.9 metres in length with a capacity for 736 passengers.
This ferry was just in its third year of service when an airplane hit its upper deck. The aircraft was destroyed and the two on board killed. The boat, of course, sustained damage to that upper deck.
Thomas Rennie (see video below)
The ‘newest’ of the all-passenger ferries. The Thomas Rennie has been in service since 1951 and was built by the Toronto Drydock Company. The boat is 39 metres or 129 feet in length and originally had a capacity for 1,000 passengers. That capacity has since been reduced to 736.
Ongiara
This is the only ferry operated by the City of Toronto that carries both passengers and vehicles. There are more, however, that are operated by Ports Toronto. This boat does not go to the main ferry terminal on the islands and you probably won’t be travelling on it as a tourist.
The Ongiara has been in service since 1963. The ship can carry 220 passengers and either ten cars or eight trucks. This boat is shorter than the others with a length of 20 metres or 67 feet.
Thomas Rennie Toronto Island Ferry
One of our early videos on the YouTube Channel. We show the Thomas Rennie leaving the Centre Island dock and arriving back after crossing the Toronto Harbour. As you can see from the video, this is such a peaceful way to experience the centre of Toronto.
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