Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Ice Boats
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 27, 2026
1. Ice Boats Marker
Ice Boats
The ferry service to PEI had a very illustrious history. The service began with iceboats from Capte Traverse PEI. The Ice boats started in 1827 and the crossing was twelve miles. The cost at the tie was $5.00. If you were a male and volunteered to help pull or row the boats across you got a discounted fare of $2.00.
Ferry Service
The men that pulled the iceboats were secured with leather straps across their chests. They had to jump in and out of the boat if ice was in the strait. The ice boats were abandoned when steam ships took on the role of carrying passengers.
A new pier was started in Borden in 1911. German prisoners of war worked on the pier, and also moved rail track from Cape Traverse and re-laid them on the new pier/at Borden. The ferries/that have sailed the route from Borden are:
SS Prince Edward Island 1917-1968
SS Charlottetown 1981-1981 (Sank off Nova Scotia 1941)
SS/Scotia II
MV Abegweit 1947-1982 (Chicago Yacht Club today)
MV Confederation 1962-1973
MV Lucy Maud Montgomery 1969-1973)
MV John Hamilton Gray 1968-1997
MV Vacationland 1972-1997
MV Holiday Island 1972-1997
this page online
MV Abegweit II 1982-1997
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 46° 15.033′ N, 63° 42.268′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island. It is on Borden Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Located in Marine Rail Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Borden Avenue, Borden-Carleton PE C0B 1X0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this location, measured as the crow flies: CNR Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederation Bridge (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Getting On and Off the Island / Liaison Entre lΞle et le Continent (approx. 3.8
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 27, 2026
2. Ice Boats Marker
More about this marker. Marker is in poor condition
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
