WEEK OF MAY 10 TO MAY 16,1979 vffSySit .“.wi*

Fair Weather or Foul...

Fefry Crosses Bay

PI.YING TIIE WATERS of the Delaware Bay, the Cape May-l-ewe* Ferry transports thousands of vehicles and foot passengers a year fair weather or fool. • <

hvlji WmOs CAPE MAY - It s l« land miles across the Delaware Bay between North Cape May and Lewes. Delaware. On a gray day as one rides the

ferry, the seascape is reminiscent of a Winslow Homer painting. Oar. sunny days make the ride out exhi lift rating as one watches the Cape May Point lighthouse recede in

the distance. Cape May Countf residents and many other persons are using the ferry r with increasing frequency. An increase of 34.170 vehicles was reported

third transported made the routine frequent daily runs.

during 1978 and 60,743 passengers were reported (bring 1978. In the month of April alone vehicle transport rose 40 per cent over last year’s figures and nearly 10.000 additional passengers went up the gangplank, this according to Captain WilHam G. Evans, superintendent of ferry operators. Year ’round, through storm, sunshine, fog and darkest night, three ferries operated by the Delaware and Bay Authority provide efficient and comfortable During the 75-mmute voyage passengers can relax at the snack bar which serves such culinary treats as shrimp, hamburgers. hot dogs, beverages, beer and candy

increase in ferry usage.* The ferry operation Captain Evans said. '’‘started here fifteen years Although diesel fuel has ago. on July 1. 1964. Until gone up tremendously, then Lewes. Del. and Cape Evans does not forsee a May were considered fare increase. Passenger “dead end”, according to cars, station wagons. Captain Evans who was motorbikes, motorcycles port captain at the Little and self-contained cam- Creek-Kiptopcak Beach pers. including the driver, operation before coming are currently charged $8 down here, for the crossing. This time of year cm Foot passengers who ployccs arc busy painting want to treat themselves to and overhauling the ferry a leisurely mini-voyage ' engines and getting ready pay 13.50 round trip if for the additional summer returning the same day. runs. Until May 31. there Additional rate# are are four round trips each charged for passengers in day. During June and vehicles. September, six round trips A souvenir and snack bar are scheduled, yhile are operated at terminal during the peak travel buildings on both sides of monthsof July and August, the bay by,the Authority. the ferries make ten round Most crossings are trips each day. The ferry uneventful and peaceful, line is the marme extension Evans said. ofU.S.9.

ALL ABOARD! Cars and trucks wait to be loaded onto the Cape May - Lewes ferry. TTie crossing takes about 76 minutes.

bars. Or one can pass the time playing the pinball machines. Passengers may be classified into the "sitters” who like to puff cigarettes in the spartan lounge and the ‘pensive voyagers” who reflectively listen to the hum of the ferry engines plowing through the bay waters. On pleasant weather days, the deck strollers are seen standing at the rail watchtng the gulls wheel and screech overhead. The Atlantic City gambling boom coupled with soaring gas prices should catalyze a sharp

'An awful lot of people ioy the ferry." Evans Jed. lomc 60 persons are iploycd in thc'operation the ferry including imen. licensed engineers d deck people, adnistrators and mainlance personnel. 5 lans are underway for dition of a fourth ferry, c present * ferries, the iew Jersey.” the lelaware" and the “Twin pes” were once operated the Chesapeake Bay Iween Little Creek and ptopeak Beach until ..a idge obviated a need for

Now operating in the Wack. last year’s ferry runs increased by $300,000. While there has been talk of a bridge over the Delaware between Lewes and North Cape Mav Captain Evans feels that that possibility is a long way into the future. If the bridge were to be built it would be the second longest bridge in the country. But. until that day arrives Cape May County residents have access to a unique and picturesque service enjoyed by few other regions of the country.