On Sunday 19 January, we listened to fascinating presentation hosted by La Bibliothèque Réjean-Ducharme de St-Ignace-de-Loyola, where Louis-Vincent Barthe, a former seafarer and author, shared the history of the iconic “White Fleet” of passenger ships on the St. Lawrence River. The talk, based on his book l’Épopée des Bateaux Blancs (éditions GID), was a journey into the golden age of these vessels, complete with a series of archival photographs and rich anecdotes about the people who worked aboard.
The White Fleet, comprised of ships like the SS Richelieu, SS St. Lawrence, SS Quebec, and SS Tadoussac, represented an era when passenger vessels were a vital connection between people and the waterways. Barthe brought this era to life, focusing on the lives of the crew members who kept these ships running smoothly and served the hundreds of passengers who traveled between Montreal, Quebec City, and the Saguenay region. His vivid descriptions of shipboard life reminded us how different—and often dangerous—maritime work was in that era. Safety standards were far from what we know today, and the challenges were immense.
Barthe’s attention to the human side of the story was particularly moving. He emphasized that his book is a tribute to the men and women who worked tirelessly aboard these ships, from deckhands and officers to kitchen staff and cabin boys. One striking detail he shared was the sheer scale of the operation: more than 180 crew members were needed to run a single vessel, with roles as varied as greasers maintaining the engines, chefs and their assistants preparing elaborate meals, and cabin stewards attending to passengers’ needs.
The audience, many of whom were from the local community, reacted warmly to Barthe’s stories. Some even recognized names and faces from the photos, sparking nostalgic memories of a bygone era.
Among the many fascinating anecdotes, Barthe described how Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) insisted on maintaining impeccable standards of cleanliness and presentation, with special attention given to the iconic funnels of the ships, which still feature CSL’s colors today. He also shared lighter moments, such as how Quebecois crew members cleverly earned tips from American passengers.
The photos also revealed snippets of life aboard the ships: card games, reading, and even model-making helped crew members pass the time, with some merry-making ashore during shore leave. These snapshots of everyday life brought depth to the stories and highlighted the humanity behind the history.
Barthe make clear that his presentation was not about ships or the passengers, but the hard-working crew: “My book is a homage to the people.”
The White Fleet may no longer grace the St. Lawrence, but thanks to Louis-Vincent Barthe, their legacy—and the people who made them extraordinary—lives on.
