This one-of-a-kind installation was used around 1850 by the residents that wanted to go across the York river between the O’Hara Point and Gaspé Harbour. At that time, only a few residents owned a craft to go from one shore to the other.

By raising the balloon at the top of the mast, the passenger was letting the longboat operator that was berthed on the other side know about his/her desire to cross.

As of 1864, the raise in the amount of passengers and merchandise to cross over led to the inauguration of a scheduled service.