Grand Island Portage

View of the Island in Grand Rapids on the Athabasca River

Chief Factor Hardisty’s desire for a shorter route to the north from the Landing via Fort McMurray was realized3 when goods were shipped by scow (known locally as sturgeon boats due to the spoon-shape of bow and stern)4 in spite of the many intervening rapids, the most dangerous being the Grand Rapids (Kitchi Pówestik) where an island divided the river into two channels. In order to avoid the risk of loss of both men and cargoes, and the launching of the sternwheeler S.S. Athabasca in 1888,5 the HBC decided to build a tramway across the island for the transfer of goods from the ship to the scows at the lower end.6

Grand Island Tramway

The 700-yard tramway was constructed in 1889 at a cost of $4, 464, with a 3' 5" gauge, the rails being made of spruce timbers faced with iron strapping.7 At either end of the line a warehouse was built, and freight was transferred by means of wooden flat cars with iron wheels. In order to facilitate the docking of the S.S. Athabasca a channel was blasted out at the upper end of the island.8 The HBC eventually installed a manager to supervise the operation of the tramway and collect tariffs from the free-traders who had, in the past, used the line without permission.9 With the building of railways to the north the need for shipping goods along the Athabasca River ended and with it the Grand Island tramway.

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