MV Lloyd-Jones facts for kids

MV Lloyd-Jones was a strong steel ferry that sailed on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Canada. This boat helped people and goods travel across the lake. It connected the towns of Kelowna and West Kelowna. The Lloyd-Jones worked alongside two other ferries, MV Lequime and MV Pendozi.

The Lloyd-Jones was launched in July 1950. It could carry up to 35 cars at a time. This ferry was the last of many large ferries that used to operate on Okanagan Lake.

A Busy Lake Crossing

Before bridges were common, ferries were very important for crossing large lakes. The Lloyd-Jones and its sister ferries helped people move between Kelowna and West Kelowna. They carried cars, trucks, and other freight. This made it easier for people to live and work on both sides of the lake.

However, carrying all the traffic became difficult. The ferries struggled to keep up with the growing number of cars.

The Bridge Changes Everything

A big change happened in 1958 when the Okanagan Lake Bridge opened. This new bridge made it much faster and easier to cross the lake. People no longer needed to wait for a ferry. Because of the bridge, the need for ferries like the Lloyd-Jones decreased.

What Happened to the Ferry?

The Lloyd-Jones had a few different names during its life. It was known as the Lloyd-Jones from 1950 to 1960. Then, it was renamed the Bowen Queen and operated under that name until 1965. After that, it became the Vesuvius Queen and continued to operate until 1998. Ferries often get new names when they are sold or moved to a new route.