M.V. Hopedale Makes Maiden Voyage Today

The Evening Telegram, December 12, 1960

The sleek new motor vessel “Hopedale” joins Canadian National Railway’s Newfoundland Coastal Fleet this afternoon when she sets sail from Argentia on her maiden voyage in the Placentia Bay service.

First trip will be on the west run with the 600-ton all welded steel vessel calling in order at Red Island, St. Kyran’s, Presque, Paradise, Petite Forte, St. Joseph’s, Oderin, Baine Harbour, Flat Islands, Marystown, Burin, Flat Islands, Merasheen, Red Island and Harbour Buffett before completing the 194-mile round-trip back to Argentia.

T.J. Dalton, the CN’s Newfoundland District Passenger Agent, said the vessel would call at Baine Harbour, Oderin, St. Joseph’s, Petite Forte, Paradise, Presque and St. Kyran’s on the inward run only when freight and passengers were offering. These calls will be made on request to the master.

For the first time, travellers on the CN’s Placentia Bay run will have the facilities of a completely equipped restaurant. The “Hopedale” boasts a specially designed cafeteria. She has 15 two-berth cabins and seating for twenty day passengers.

Built at Collingwood, Ont., for the Department of Transport, the “Hopedale” was launched on August 5th. Her cargo capacity is 310 tons and she can handle refrigerated as well as general cargo. Deck gear includes a three-ton crane.

Outfitted with the latest navigational aids, fire protection and safety devices, and is reinforced for navigation in ice. She will go into the CN’s Labrador service next June.

On Wednesdays commencing December 14, she will operate in the bay run with stops at Harbour Buffett, Kingwell, Spencer’s Cove, North Harbour, Woody Island, Bar Haven, Tacks Beach, Davis Cove, Clattice Harbour, Isle Valen, Merasheen, Red Island and Harbour Buffett on the 132-mile round trip ending up back at Argentia. In this service she will proceed from Isle Valen to Argentia calling in at Merasheen, Red Island and Harbour Buffett en route.

Next Friday and every Friday thereafter until further notice, also sailing and returning to Argentia, she will make the 229-mile Placentia Bay run calling at 29 ports. In order they are: Harbour Buffett, Red Island, Merasheen, Tacks Beach, Davis Cove, Clattice Harbour, Isle Valen, Presque, Paradise, Petite Forte, St. Joseph’s, Oderin, Baine Harbour, Flat Islands, Marystown, Burin, Flat Islands, Merasheen, Isle Valen, Clattice Harbour, Davis Cove, Tacks Beach, Bar Haven, Woody Island, North Harbour, Spencer’s Cove, Kingwell and Harbour Buffett.

On this particular run, “Hopedale” will call at Baine Harbour, Oderin, St. Joseph’s, Petite Forte, Paradise, Presque and St. Kyran’s on the inward trip only when freight and passengers are offering. Requests to call in will have to be made to the master.

MV Hopedale 

Note: Photo showing colours and emblem of Marine Atlantic after being transferred from CN Marine.