Brian Johnson

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  • 9 posts

R. B. ‘Ratch’ Wallace: ‘Captain Hollywood’

“By early morning, the wind was still blowing hard,” said Mate Emtage. “The captain and I listened to the weather report, and then he said he wasn’t feeling well. I noticed his colour was off . . .

Volume 19, Issue 4, April 2024
Brian Johnson

‘Irish Bard’ Finds Family Roots on Wolfe Island

In the wee hours before Christmas Eve, Jannet Walsh suddenly bolted upright in her bed. Or what she believed was her bed . . .

Volume 18, Issue 2, February 2023
Brian Johnson

Remembering Atlantic Convoy Sailor Fletcher Raymond Wade

Speaking softly, Ray Wade points out that he made 56 trips in convoys to Britain, eventually working his way up to second mate status. Wade also remembers that first convoy, that first trip, heading out into the North Atlantic Ocean. With who knew what waiting for them . . .

Volume 17, Issue 5, May 2022
Brian Johnson

Remembering GBL’s Wilfred Bilow, A Diamond in the Rough

I’d heard of this guy. He had a reputation as being ‘tough as nails’. Everyone in the local marine industry from Picton to Prescott either knew him or of him. Most feared him. But everyone . . .

Volume 17, Issue 2, February 2022
Brian Johnson

The Ferries are Here!

“These ferries can run 100% electric. They will not only improve operations immediately, they are also ready for the future, as they will each be one of the first of their kind in North America.

Volume 16, Issue 11, November 2021
Brian Johnson

"Romeo & Annette"; The life, times, and sad fate of the Ferry "Upper Canada"

So today she sits, waits, and rusts away in the mud, forgotten like a broken, abandoned old vehicle in some equally forgotten, overgrown back field.

Volume 16, Issue 10, October 2021
Brian Johnson

A Father’s Day Tale or Lifelong Memories of a Used Car Lot

“No, you got a deal,” said Jack Johnson, laughing, taking the man’s hand, feeling the spittle. “I got robbed Marv. You took advantage of this poor boy from Wolfe Island. I can’t feed my family on this.”

Volume 16, Issue 7, July 2021
Brian Johnson

Ferry Boats: "James W. Curran" and "John A. McPhail" Lost at Sea

The mate grabbed the brake wheel and started leaning on it. “Billy!” he yelled above the din, “Tell the skipper to back down! We’re gonn’a lose ...”

Volume 15, Issue 6, June 2020
Brian Johnson

Maggie Wheeler, the Seaway Valley Queen of Crime

"Being good at planning murders is not what you dream of becoming one day as a child,” Maggie said. “I guess it was the Nancy Drew effect,..

Volume 14, Issue 5, May 2019
Brian Johnson