1914-07-28ff

The Beach during the last weekend of July was sure to a popular destination for Hamiltonians, and so it was on Sunday, July 26, 1914 .

As described in the Hamilton Times of the following Monday, the foreboding events in Europe were forgotten if just for the moment:

“The largest crowd to visit the Beach in some years journeyed there yesterday, driven from the city by the intense heat.

“Every car leaving, from early in the morning, was crowded to capacity, while the boats helped to convey a great number.

“The lake was exceptionally warm, and the crowd in bathing was large.

“Only one accident was recorded, as far as is known.”¹

¹ “Beach Lad Was Nearly Drowned”

Hamilton Times.    July 27, 1914.

While most of the people down at the Beach that day were refugees from the city, the only untoward incident involved a young man who actually lived on the Beach :

“Wilbur Ennis, who was spending the day with friends at Station 18, went in bathing. He had been in the water only a few minutes when he was suddenly seized with cramps.

“He cried for help, and as he was in only four feet of water, those on the shore believed him to be joking. They hurriedly changed their minds, however, fo he sank from view almost instantly, and several ran to his assistance. He was laid upon the shore, where he was revived after a few seconds.”¹

Swimming was a main attraction at the Beach, as was fishing:

“Residents who spend considerable time fishing in the bay report the most successful season in some years.

“The bay, from the canal to the north shore, appears to be well stocked with splendid bass, weighing from one and a half to five pounds. Seldom anyone goes out without returning with a good catch.”¹

In the summer months, most issues of the Hamilton daily newspapers carried a column detailing with events at the Beach. The day following the column which detailed Wilbur Ennis’ near-drowning, the Times wrote about another potentially fatal incident:

“Thinking that he could manage his canoe in the waters of Lake Ontario, although they were lashed into a fury yesterday afternoon, Edward Costello, who resides hear station 38, had a narrow escape from death, when his little craft capsized.

“He had been paddling on the bay and ventured into the lake. On his way through the canal, he was warned of the danger, as the lake was too rough for a boat of this nature.

“He paid little attention to the warning and he had not gone fdar past the end of the pier when his boat showed signs of being in distress,

“The mad waves tossed the canoe with terrific force and Costello, soon unable to keep his balance, fell in. He tried in vain to keep hold of his canoe, but the force of the waves tore it from him. Being able to swim, he managed to get back to the old pier where occasionally he could get a glimpse of his boat tossed by the huge waves, which washed it ashore about an hour later.

“He did not venture out on the water again but left the craft on the shore until this morning when he carried it back to the bay and paddled home.” ²

² “At the Beach : Canoeist Had Troublous Time on the Lake”

Hamilton Times.   July 28, 1914.

The rough waves of Lake Ontario had an impact on the travelers who took one of the three steamers which ran from Hamilton to Toronto throughout the day:

“Those who took in the trip to Toronto on the boat yesterday witnessed one of the roughest seas so far this season.
“The mountainous waves rocked the big steamers and many of the passengers were unable to make the return trip on account of sea sickness. Those who did return probably regret the experience most.”²