“The end of an
era” would be one appropriate opening line for a Snippet about the Busy Bee.
Many articles have been written about the ferry boats on Cayuga Lake, the Polly
Ann, the Frontenac (see July 27 Snippet) and of course,
the Busy Bee, among others.
 |
| The Busy Bee. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #485. |
The article
continues, “Nothing is more permanent in this world than change, and to Captain
Quick change was bound to come. With the advent of the automobile and good
roads, business fell off…finally, the boat wore out.”
The 1941 article
does not mention any “last dates.” In looking for confirmation of the “Last
Trip” of the Busy Bee, I found several
clippings in the old newspapers.
Interlaken Review,
June 13, 1913, “The old ferry boat, “Busy Bee” has reached the end of her
cruise. Last week the boat…found unworthy, so was dismantled and floated north
of the Kidders Dock where it was sunk and then the steam dredge filled it with
rock and mud. The old boat will now do duty as a breakwater, shielding motor
boats in the slip north of the dock.”
As the
automobile came into use, the Busy Bee went from a year-round ferry to a
seasonal one. The Interlaken Review would note the opening day in the spring.
Later the last run of the season would be noted. Such was the notice in the
September 30, 1910, Interlaken Review. “The
ferry-boat “Busy Bee” makes its last trip of the season today. Tomorrow it goes
to the dry-dock for repairs.”
In the Spring of
1911, the article noted, “It is with regret that all learn that the ferry-boat
“Busy Bee” will not ply between Kidders and King Ferry this year. Capt. Quick
has piloted this boat across Cayuga’s water for 27 years, 18 years of which he
made daily trips, winter as well as summer, and never an accident of
consequence.” It continued, “He has been a faithful servant to the public all
these years and we only regret that he has not laid aside a million or so for
his declining years.” [Interlaken Review May 19, 1911]
The Busy Bee did
not run during the summer of 1912 either. The April 12, 1912 Interlaken Review noted, “It is too bad that the
ferry-boat 'Busy Bee' is not to run this year, between Kidders and King Ferry.”
In the 1941
article Captain Quick recalled his biggest load…a Quaker funeral party of
fourteen horses, ten carriages, and eighty-three people, bound
for an old cemetery near Jacksonville.”
Maurice
Patterson, in Between the Lakes, The
History of South Seneca County, noted in his article about Farmerville
Lodge, that Captain Quick was both Master the year the new building was
dedicated (Snippet May 31, 1893) while also being the man in charge of getting
the Auburn Masons across the lake from their special train, and back in the wee
hours of the morning. (page 232).
Over the years,
the hull and other remains of the Busy Bee could be seen when the Cayuga Lake waters were low. The Busy Bee upon arrival at either dock was “backed in” or
“with her stern first,” so that the “gunwales at this end were let down to rest
lightly on the shore so a man or animal could easily walk on board.”
 |
| 1954 Remains of the Busy Bee, looking back toward shore. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #153. |
 |
| Remains of the Busy Bee, 1973. Photo from the Author's collection. |
 |
| Remains of the Busy Bee, 1997. Photo from the Author's collection. |
In recent years,
much of the remains were removed for safety reasons. The Interlaken Historical
Society has the steam whistle which had been saved when the Busy Bee was
retired.
Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, June 4, 1963
Clear,
temperature 58. Leland put fertilizer on potatoes with corn planter. Harrowing
on bean ground this morning. Planted muskmelon, squashes today. Mowed over most
of the lawn.
Worked in the
garden. Cut over the asparagus for the last time.
Much better
growing weather, been warmer. Oats look extra good.
No comments:
Post a Comment