Normally, highway ferries cross rivers. In the 1980s, Gordon piloted the Peel River ferry *down* river, on the Mackenzie, from Fort Simpson, NWT to near Inuvik.
This unusual journey resulted from a re-fit job Northern Arc Shipbuilders secured from the Government of the NWT (GNWT). They were to replace the engine, ramp, shaft, propeller and wheel house and add a coffee room to the "McQueston", a small, single entry ferry. The work was to be done at Fort Simpson, where the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers join, and the vessel moved down river to Fort MacPherson, on the Peel River. The journey of probably 770 miles (575 miles by air) was under the command of a Captain Marsh, the English-born GNWT Marine Superintendent, who had marine captain papers. However, Marsh had never been on the river. Gordon had been many, many times and knew it well; thus it was Gordon who ended up as the pilot and de facto captain. Malcom McPhail was along as general deckhand and helper. Gordon remembers steering through the San Sault Rapids, and the narrow Ramparts. At the San Sault, Gordon would be particularly careful. This was after all the dangerous rapids which claimed Dredge 251, shortly after Gordon's near death experience aboard the Dredge's tugboat at age 16. Of piloting the small ferry through there, not exactly the thoroughbred of manoeuvrability, Gordon recalled: "The thing to remember at San Sault Rapid was to do the 'big swing', to stay well outside of the rocks and boiling [roiling] water. It was a mess in there. That's where Dredge 251 sank. Lots of canoes have tried to get closer to the shore there and capsized." Their destination was Arctic Red River where another ferry connected the community to Inuvik. From there, Gordon went on to Fort MacPherson to ready the landing site where the McQueston would cross the Peel River. The crossing of the Peel is part of the Dempster Highway from Dawson City, Yukon, to Inuvik, and now Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. A GNWT ferry operator would bring the vessel over a little later. Being a single entry ferry, and small, it had room for one truck, or trailer, or 2 cars, but they would have to either drive on and back off or the reverse. Perhaps that is why the ferry only remained in service at Fort MacPherson for a short time before being moved to Yellowknife. It also had no rooms or accommodation, save for a 2 person coffee area. Thus the four people on board - McPhail, Gordon, Marsh and his wife - set up tents on deck and that is where they slept. Marsh arranged that the local priest from Arctic Red and the Press from Inuvik would meet the ferry on arrival. As Gordon approached the landing spot, Captain Marsh - "he was from England", Gordon said - stepped out of the large tent he and his wife shared "all-decked out in braid and colour". No doubt resplendent, he looked out to see the old priest not so resplendent "dressed in an old coat, muddy covered hightop gumboots and ratty pants". No member of the press was in sight. Growing up in the northern Alberta bush, Gordon likely didn't appreciate the potential pomp and ceremony of such a voyage. Every time I talk to Gordon, something new to me presents itself.
In A Métis Man's Dream, Gordon talks about his old claim staking partner, the incredibly strong Metis man, Pierre Simpson. It turns out that Pierre's son, Rocky, trained as a lawyer in the south, and returned to Hay River. He has been a lawyer, businessman and Member of the Territorial Assembly. It was Rocky who purchased the Northern Arc Shipbuilders shop and property from Gordon when Northern Crane Services moved south to Edmonton. Rocky's son, RJ, also trained as a lawyer, was elected to the NWT Assembly and recently was selected as Premier of the NWT by the Legislature. The north continues to evolve! It was so nice to open the April-June edition of WESTWRITE magazine from The Writers' Guild of Alberta and see A Métis Man's Dream featured in the Member's News section. Many thanks!
I announced a short time ago that Ring's Pharmacy in Hay River had ordered copies of A Métis Man's Dream. You will understand why I am so thrilled that @LarryRing contacted me last week to order 12 more, which are now being delivered. Sold out so quickly! Thanks all at Rings and in Hay River!
Just asking for some help. Chapters West Edmonton, located at 99th Avenue and 170th Street has been very supportive in their selling of A Métis Man's Dream. They have shown the book in Indigenous and Local History sections and in the featured Local Author end piece on one row. Unfortunately, I was in there the other day to see if they needed more books. It turns out they still have seven (7) copies, all signed by the author I think). so if you are thinking of buying the book, or want to do so as a gift, and Chapters West Edmonton is handy, please consider them as a source! Many thanks. ~ Neil
Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Downtown Edmonton for inviting me to speak to their meeting on March 4, 2024. My topic was The Power of Yes, Lessons from the Story of Gordon Gill.
And thank you again to those Rotarians who already have purchased the book and the 8 more who bought a copy at the meeting. The proceeds will all go to charity. I had the pleasure of meeting John Mattson and his lovely wife Doreen the other day. Now I know TWO men who have large tugs named after them, GORDON GILL, AND J MATTSON!
John is referred to in A Métis Man's Dream, (although with only one 'T'. Apologies John!) Gordon deeply respects John. Congratulations from Audible/Amazon! A Métis Man's Dream is now available on audio book!
A Métis Man's Dream: From Traplines to Tugboats in Canada's North is now available for purchase on Audible, and it will be available on iTunes and Amazon within the next few days. |
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AuthorNeil Gower is a writer living in Edmonton, AB. Archives
May 2024
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