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Fred was 68 years old by 1950. The SS Minto was 52. Both aging rapidly meant retirement was imminent, in fact, overdue. For the CPR, running the Minto was no more than an obligation thrust upon them by the Federal Government in order to service the people on the lake, who lived on community islands bereft of any other transportation system. The CPR's clout was strong, leaving most to believe that in a short time other arrangements would be made to replace the Minto. In this atmosphere, Fred enjoyed a few last voyages until 1954 when a last run over the 120 mile lake took place. It wasn't a grand exit but a well respected one. Amongst the tears were thoughts of the future and what the loss of this 'Old Lady' would mean for all the towns in the valley.

Another concern was what to do with the boat. Little logic but a lot of heartfelt enthusiasm persuaded a Nakusp group to take the boat over for $1.00 and give it a home. Placed on a cribbing, it sat mostly unattended for two years, vandalized and forgotten. Hoping to at least give it more tender loving care, John Nelson bought it and had her towed to his ranch at Galena Bay.

Fred left now. It had all ended in the worst of all scenarios. The sites he wanted to remember were all in his mind, memories of those glory days.