Purchasing the privately owned "Scanlon" (later renamed the "William Henry Ladner"), the government began a two-month refit of the vessel. Meanwhile, the smaller tug "Linda" took its place. The remodelled ferry no longer needed to tow a barge, and the faster turnaround increased service to six times daily. However, the bus connection covered only four sailings, until increasing to six, two months later. At this time, oiling the gravel sections, and planking the remainder of No. 5 Road, allowed a faster more comfortable bus ride. Purchased in March 1918 for $10,000, the larger "Beaver" underwent a $40,000 complete overhaul, before replacing the former ferry in July 1919. The vessel unsuited to heavy traffic, because it loaded from the sides, increasing the risk of damage to vehicles, was replaced in 1926–27. Winter ice floes and spring flooding, which made navigation hazardous, prompted proposals for a permanent Deas Island crossing. The Ladner terminal moved twice. During 1920–21, construction costed $15,748. The landing and paved Ferry Road cost $80,000, but on opening in 1931 the crossing time reduced to 10 minutes. When tendered in 1932, three bids required no subsidy to operate the ferry, while Mr. Robson, the private operator for the prior six years, offered to pay $1,800 per annum. The province was responsible for supplying an appropriate vessel. The "Ladner-Woodwards No. 3." failed its federal inspection. The MS "Agassiz", the replacement in November 1932, had only half the carrying capacity. The province reimbursed losses being sustained by operator Leonard M. Robson, due to these serious deficiencies. The bitumen surfacing of No. 5 Rd during 1935–36 provided continuous pavement from the ferry to Vancouver. In 1936, additional summer sailings were introduced. The landing and approach at Woodward's Landing received extensive maintenance in 1940-41. The Ladner landing, on a side channel, experienced ongoing silting that required periodical dredging, and at times grounded the ferry in mid-summer. To address this issue, the landing was extended into the main channel during 1947-48. Permanent replacement, the "Delta Princess" with a speed of 12 knots, entered service in 1949. The new steel hull double-ended twin-screw ferry had a capacity for 35 cars and 200 passengers. A new landing at Woodward's Landing was built throughout 1952–53.