In the winter of 1879, the S.S Quebec was sailing off East Point with a load of iron when it became grounded. Men in the area went out to assist the crew. The waters of the gulf and strait were full of ice at that time of year. So, using an ice float as a natural wharf beside the S.S. Quebec, the men unloaded the iron from the ship, allowing it to move clear of the shallow water and be recovered.