The MV William Carson was the first Canadian ship to operate in the Newfoundland ferry services. This CN Marine passenger/vehicle icebreaker vessel was named in honour of the prominent 19th century Newfoundland colonial politician, Dr. William Carson. Following his emigration to Newfoundland from Scotland in 1808, Carson was a physician, businessman and politician in Newfoundland. He was recognized for helping quarantine an outbreak of cholera. His primary focus to assist Newfoundland was the application of modernizing their current agricultural principles. In addition, he was elected to government and was the speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly, often being referred to as "The Great Reformer". The MV William Carson ferry was constructed by Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal, Quebec in 1955. It measured 351 feet in length and displaced 8,300 tons. It had a capacity for 260 passengers and 60 cars, which were loaded through a side ramp. The ship had a reinforced bow for ice breaking purposes. This ferry was the largest of its time and was built to carry both passengers and cars. It was designed for service between Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Due to its immense size, Port aux Basques harbour had to be modified to accept the ship. The first three years the Carson had to use Argentia until the facilities were completed at Port aux Basques. The ferry served the people of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia well from 1955 to 1976. Due to the increased need for passengers and freight services on the Labrador coast, the William Carson was reassigned to the seasonal services on the Labrador run in 1976. It only operated a short period between Lewisporte, NL and Happy Valley, Labrador. Captain Roy Primm, one of the captains of the ship, navigated the vessel into St. John's harbour in preparation for its first spring run. At this time, Captain Norman Hicks and his crew took over duties of the ship. On June 1, 1977 this crew would take the ship from St. John's harbour to the Labrador coast. Little did they realize that it would be the final voyage of the Carson. On the night of June 2, 1977, the ship struck a small iceberg while navigating 12 nautical miles (22 kms) off Battle Harbour, Labrador. It sank bow first in the darkness between the icy North Atlantic Ocean in 509 feet of water. There were enough lifeboats to accommodate everyone on board. There were no lives lost. The crew and passengers watched helplessly from their lifeboats as their beloved ship sank in the dark cold waters. The Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers and the Canadian Armed Forces helicopters rescued all the passengers along with the Captain and the crewmembers. The MV William Carson will always be a legend in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will be forever remembered by many as the "ferryboat". In 2023, Andy Callahan Jr. built and designed a replica of the MV William Carson. Born and raised in Botwood, NL the Callahan family have many good memories as they traveled as passengers on the Carson from Port aux Basques, NL to North Sidney, NS. Callahan spent over 300 hours designing and constructing the Carson replica from a photo. Andy used his own ideas and materials to make and produce all the detailed and intricate parts. He decided on navy for the colour to paint the replica as the ship had been painted a variety of colors during its lifetime. Andy's hobby is building replicas of ships and he continues to use his talent in the construction of many vessels. His display room in his home is like a miniature museum, exhibiting the Titanic and other older ships which he has built displayed in the photo. Andy and his wife, Rhoda and family are now retired and living in Durham, Ontario. We wish him continued success in his amazing hobby. Bernice Osmond Mount Uniacke, NS