I have to start some where, so here is a message to myself with my best picture of the Toronto to Niagara steamer S.S.Cayuga. She ran from 1909 to 1957. -Jim
Charles: Here is the amazing thing Jim. We did not own a car since my Dad, C W Pedley was blind and Mom had never learned to drive.
We were moving to Niagara in August, 1957! Dad happened to notice an ad for the Cayuga in Toronto and instead of taking a train or bus, we thought it would be fun to take the Cayuga! It was! We saw NOTL for the first time from the Cayuga!
When we arrived at the dock, all kinds of kids were in the water waiting for passengers to throw coins in the water. They would dive for them before they got too far down and make spending money! Some of those kids I then went to Niagara District Secondary School with that September.
The current was strong compared to the lakes in Eastern Ontario where I had lived but that year I learned to cope with the current and swim off the Cayuga dock at least when it was not in port. I believe she ran a few more times that year and that was it.
So what a privilege to ride on one of the last cruises of the Cayuga! My mother, Lilian Pedley, says it was the LAST, but being 93 and me, such a youngster at only 68, in 2011-12, I think I am right and it ran til the end of the season. [Any other thoughts about this, anyone?]
Does anyone else remember the Cayuga? I bet a Google search might turn up some more info or photos.
Thanks Jim for this fantastic memory!
