Moose Portage was one of the stopping places that faded into obscurity. Before the railroad arrived in 1913/14 boats were a necessity in the North. Aboriginals had been using the waters for centuries before the Europeans arrived on the scene. The first of the trappers and traders canoed, following the example of the Aboriginals. As more people passed through on their way to seek gold in the Klondike or to begin settling in the north larger boats were needed. Scows, which were larger than canoes were made to be used in hauling freight. Generally speaking they were not intended to make the return trip. Instead they were disassembled at their destination and the wood used for other purposes. The need for bigger boats continued to grow and the Athabasca River boats; The Midnight Sun, The Northern Light and the Northland Call were built in Athabasca Landing by the Northern Transportation Company. The Hudson’s Bay Company was also running boats on the Athabasca River. The following inscription was on the archway of the Northern Transportation Company building - “In all inventions, the alphabet and press excepted, those inventions which further the easy transportation of man have done most for civilization.” (The Edmonton Bulletin - Oct. 5, 1912. In this region it was particularly true. Without easy access to the lands there would be no growth or development. This made boat building one of the most important enterprises in the area in the first decade of the 1900’s. The Midnight Sun is described by W.H. Footner, in his article ‘Novice On the Athabasca. “The Midnight Sun is about 100 feet long. The accommodations for passengers would hardly be consider luxurious “outside” but by comparison with the usual hardships of travel in the north , she is a very comfortable little vessel.” She was however too large to travel up the Lesser Slave River. The boat that did was the Northland Call. It was a much smaller boat and The Bulletin in September of 1910, under the headline Grouard, announced -The Northland Call of the Northern Transportation Company’s fleet of steamers arrived here this morning with passengers and mail. She is the first steamer to make the through trip from Athabasca Landing to the west end of Fawcett Lake. The coming of the railroad removed a way of life for people and towns alike. There was little need for boat builders, river captains, and trackers. Once thriving communities, that played such an important part of Alberta’s heritage disappeared.