But of course this was at rare intervals.

Ferryboats used to lose valuable trips because their passengers grew old and died, waiting for us to get by.

This was at still rarer intervals.

I had the documents for these occurrences, but through carelessness they have been mislaid.
This boat, the 'John J.Roe,' was so slow that when she finally sunk in Madrid Bend, it was five years before the owners heard of it.

That was always a confusing fact to me, but it is according to the record, any way.