June 29, 1998
(Works, Services and Transportation)

The following is being distributed at the request of Marine Atlantic:

Ferry service celebrating centennial

All is in readiness to celebrate 100 years of ferry service between Port aux Basques, NF and North Sydney, NS. Joining with Marine Atlantic in the two days of festivities are the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

The first ferry sailed from Port aux Basques on the evening of June 30, 1898, following the arrival of the first passenger train from St. John's on R.G. Reid's Newfoundland Railway. The SS Bruce carried approximately 50 passengers, most of whom were partaking of an excursion to celebrate Canada's birthday in Cape Breton.

Scheduled events for Port aux Basques on Tuesday include a community breakfast at the ferry terminal, the opening of a railway heritage site, a reunion of railway and ferry service retirees, dramatized re-enactments of the events of a century ago, and performances by Rawlins Cross, the Punters and local entertainers.

Tuesday evening's sailing of the superferry MV Caribou will feature a centennial party for reserved passengers and invited guests, and the dedication of an onboard museum, accompanied by a fireworks display as the ship leaves port.

The arrival in North Sydney on Canada Day will be greeted with a community breakfast, and commemorative ceremonies at 7 a.m. Throughout the day there will be a variety of entertainment and activity on the waterfront, concluding with an evening fireworks display.

Contact: Ted Bartlett, Director Public Relations, (709) 695-4201.

1998 06 29 2:50 p.m.