Herald & Lantern 1 1 July '84 55

Terry Tale' Gives 20-Year History

A book entitled "A Ferry Tale", will be released this month which recalls the 20-year history of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The book was written by William J. Miller, who has been a part of that history as executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority for the entire period. "A Ferry Tale" will be sold at ferry terminal buildings and on tlie vessels, at bookstores and other locations in New Jersey and Delaware. On July 1; 1964, the-Cape May-Lewes Ferry service was started. THE FERRY service had been encouraged, discussed, debated and damned by New Jersey residents and downstate D$lawareans for many years rprior to the 1964 starting date. Today, the ferry lousiness is good; the Delaware River and Bay Authority — the New Jersey/Delaware bi -state agency in charge of the ferry — reports that traffic continues to increase. A fifth ferry vessel is now being built in "Norfolk. Va. *

Atlantic City casino operations have helped to swell the number of ferry users. The continued surge in beach activity in both states adds more interest in the ferry. TWENTY YEARS ago, however, there was considerable skepticism in many circles about the wisdom of the project. For many years, those who endorsed the idea were ridiculed or simply ignored. But politics provided (as it so often does) a financial green light to permit the initiation of the crossing. The winning concept turned out to be the legislation creating the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which places responsibility for all crossings of the Delaware River between

New Jersey and Delaware in the hands of the Authority. THIS INCLUDED the then highly successful Delaware Memorial Bridge. It also permitted surplus bridge revenues to be used for other river crossings, including the ferry. Thus, when the second bridge was started in 1964. funds were also included in the omnibus bond issue to start the ferry. At the same time, as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel crossing was near ing completion, a fleet of ferry vessels was immediately available, and a purchase price was quickly agreed upon. Construction of the piers and docks on each side of the river commenced in late i963, and the service began July 1. 1964 The debut was memorable — almost a total failure! IN ORDER to open for Radar Course WILDWOOD ^ Airman Denise L Schaffer. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph L. Schaffer Jr. of 320 W. Pine Ave., has graduated from the U.S. Air Force automatic tracking radar at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

the heavy summer traffic season, the service (such as it was) started before the construction work was completed. The opening day ceremonies were marred when the ferry backed in and the propeller hit a cable in the Lewes Terminal. (To the embarrassment of all!) In addition. the passengers had to travel on temporary roads, over makeshift ramps for the vessels and other inconveniences. Added to this was a seamen's strike onl^one month after the opening (luring the National Democratic Convention in Atlantic City. As the weeks, months and years rolled by, however, > many changes occured — all for the bet-

ter. The ferry fleet has been completely changed The four- vessel fleet, soon to be five, is modern, clean and fast. The parking and terminal facilities are continually being improved Even now a new terminal is under construction in Lewes, Delaware, and a renovated one is on the drawing boards for Cape May. Miller's book records the history of the ferry. The events leading to the decision to go ahead and the problems encountered over the years are intermingled with dozens of photographs and a series of anecdotes concerning the ferry usage, the people who operate the ships, and those who use them.

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