Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company
Encyclopedia
The Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company ran both passenger and automobile ferry
service across the Chesapeake Bay
from 1919 to 1952. The initial service was between Annapolis, Maryland
on the western shore and Claiborne, Maryland
on the eastern shore. In July 1930, a second shorter route was added between Annapolis, Maryland
and Matapeake on Kent Island, Maryland
. Business increased so rapidly at that point that another ferryboat was added. In May, 1938 the Claiborne route was changed to run from Claiborne to Romancoke, Maryland
on the lower end of Kent Island, from which passengers could then connect to the Matapeake to Annapolis run. In 1943, the Annapolis United States Naval Academy
absorbed the property where the ferry terminal had been, so service was switched from Annapolis to a new terminal at Sandy Point on the western shore. By May 1951, the ferries were handling 1 million vehicles and 2 million passengers annually. Ferry service stopped running in 1952 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
was completed.
and later President of the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company. As governor, Harrington had been instrumental in getting the ferry started. In 1915, the State Roads Commission had appropriated $50,000 to establish a state-owned ferry. With the beginning of World War I
, planning was put on hold until 1919. At that time a group of businessmen headed by J. P. Mehaham, of St. Louis, and Frank McNamee, of Albany, and at the urging of Gov. Harrington, formed a private company named the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry, Inc. The state funds were instead diverted toward subsidizing the new private company. The "Old Harrington", as the boat became known, made two round trips daily, crossing the Chesapeake Bay
in 1 hour 20 minutes.
In 1921, the company was in bankruptcy, but Gov. Harrington, his term as Governor over, became President of the company and instituted reforms to make it more profitable. Not until 1924 did the company begin to see receipts exceed expenses. In 1921, a bus route was added to carry passengers to Easton, Hurlock, and Cambridge. In 1928 the company was reorganized and renamed the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company.
The Gov. Emerson C. Harrington was retired in 1937 and replaced by the Gov. Harry W. Nice, a double-ender which could hold up to 68 cars. Other boats were to include the General Lincoln, Majestic, Albert C. Ritchie, John M. Dennis, Gov. Harry W. Nice, Gov. Emerson C. Harrington II, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor, and the B. Frank Sherman, the last named for the company's General Manager from 1924-1952.
Serious discussion about building a bridge across the Chesapeake Bay
had been around since at least 1907, but did not take hold until the 1930's. Since the bridge would put the ferry out of business, the State decided it had an obligation to the ferry owners to purchase the company. In 1941, the company was purchased for $1,023,000 by the Maryland State Roads Commission (now the Maryland State Highway Administration
), and was renamed the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System.
At the time the company was purchased by the State Roads Commission, it had approximately 120 employees.
Service on the ferry was continued across the Chesapeake Bay
until July 30, 1952, the same day the new Chesapeake Bay Bridge
was opened. During a final run by the John M. Dennis a few weeks before the bridge opening, it "accidentally" rammed the new bridge [Variations on the cause of the "accident" can be found between newspaper accounts and recollections by family members of the ship's Captain Edward C. Higgins]. The last run from Claiborne to Romancoke was on December 31, 1952 by the Gov. Emerson C. Harrington II.
Other miscellaneous photographs
http://higginsandrelatedmarylandfamilies.com/Ferry/index.html
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service across the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
from 1919 to 1952. The initial service was between Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
on the western shore and Claiborne, Maryland
Claiborne, Maryland
Claiborne is an unincorporated community in Talbot County, Maryland. The village is located on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Eastern Bay at , and uses ZIP code 21624. The 2000 U.S. Census lists the population as 147 and the number of homes as 84, slightly down from...
on the eastern shore. In July 1930, a second shorter route was added between Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
and Matapeake on Kent Island, Maryland
Kent Island, Maryland
Kent Island is the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay, and a historic place in Maryland. To the east, a narrow channel known as the Kent Narrows barely separates the island from the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the other side, the island is separated from Sandy Point, an area near Annapolis, by...
. Business increased so rapidly at that point that another ferryboat was added. In May, 1938 the Claiborne route was changed to run from Claiborne to Romancoke, Maryland
Romancoke, Maryland
Romancoke is an unincorporated community on Kent Island in Maryland, located at the southern end of Maryland Route 8. The United States Census Bureau defines an urban cluster for Romancoke, but not a census-designated place...
on the lower end of Kent Island, from which passengers could then connect to the Matapeake to Annapolis run. In 1943, the Annapolis United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
absorbed the property where the ferry terminal had been, so service was switched from Annapolis to a new terminal at Sandy Point on the western shore. By May 1951, the ferries were handling 1 million vehicles and 2 million passengers annually. Ferry service stopped running in 1952 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of , it was the world's longest...
was completed.
History
The first Claiborne-Annapolis run was June 19, 1919, with the sidewheeler Gov. Emerson C. Harrington, named for the 48th Governor of MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and later President of the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company. As governor, Harrington had been instrumental in getting the ferry started. In 1915, the State Roads Commission had appropriated $50,000 to establish a state-owned ferry. With the beginning of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, planning was put on hold until 1919. At that time a group of businessmen headed by J. P. Mehaham, of St. Louis, and Frank McNamee, of Albany, and at the urging of Gov. Harrington, formed a private company named the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry, Inc. The state funds were instead diverted toward subsidizing the new private company. The "Old Harrington", as the boat became known, made two round trips daily, crossing the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
in 1 hour 20 minutes.
In 1921, the company was in bankruptcy, but Gov. Harrington, his term as Governor over, became President of the company and instituted reforms to make it more profitable. Not until 1924 did the company begin to see receipts exceed expenses. In 1921, a bus route was added to carry passengers to Easton, Hurlock, and Cambridge. In 1928 the company was reorganized and renamed the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Company.
The Gov. Emerson C. Harrington was retired in 1937 and replaced by the Gov. Harry W. Nice, a double-ender which could hold up to 68 cars. Other boats were to include the General Lincoln, Majestic, Albert C. Ritchie, John M. Dennis, Gov. Harry W. Nice, Gov. Emerson C. Harrington II, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor, and the B. Frank Sherman, the last named for the company's General Manager from 1924-1952.
Serious discussion about building a bridge across the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
had been around since at least 1907, but did not take hold until the 1930's. Since the bridge would put the ferry out of business, the State decided it had an obligation to the ferry owners to purchase the company. In 1941, the company was purchased for $1,023,000 by the Maryland State Roads Commission (now the Maryland State Highway Administration
Maryland State Highway Administration
The Maryland State Highway Administration is the state agency responsible for maintaining Maryland numbered highways outside of Baltimore City...
), and was renamed the Chesapeake Bay Ferry System.
At the time the company was purchased by the State Roads Commission, it had approximately 120 employees.
Service on the ferry was continued across the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
until July 30, 1952, the same day the new Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Chesapeake Bay Bridge
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and, at the time, with a length of , it was the world's longest...
was opened. During a final run by the John M. Dennis a few weeks before the bridge opening, it "accidentally" rammed the new bridge [Variations on the cause of the "accident" can be found between newspaper accounts and recollections by family members of the ship's Captain Edward C. Higgins]. The last run from Claiborne to Romancoke was on December 31, 1952 by the Gov. Emerson C. Harrington II.
Ferries
| Ferry | Notes | Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Gov. Emerson C. Harrington | Built in 1901. 201-foot. sidewheeler. Originally named the Thomas Patten and in service in New York Harbor. Capacity: 42 vehicles. 1000 passengers. Bought in 1919, renamed the Gov. Emerson C. Harrington and placed in service on 19 Jun 1919, under Capt. Thomas Mann. Sold in 1938 to C. K. Duncan, who brought the vessel to Pocomoke City, Maryland Pocomoke City, Maryland Pocomoke City, dubbed "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore", is a city in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Although renamed in a burst of civic enthusiasm in 1878, the city is regularly referred to by its inhabitants simply as Pocomoke... and made it into a floating restaurant, nightclub and hotel. In 1949, the superstructure was stripped off and her furnishings purchased by the VFW for their new post home. The vessel was brought to a Baltimore scrap yard. |
Photo link: At dock in Claiborne alongside the Cambridge owned by the competing Baltimore, Chesapeake, and Atlantic railway) As a restaurant in Pocomoke |
| General Lincoln | Built in 1878. 161 feet. Originally named the Nahant. Capacity: 13 vehicles Bought in 1920 and renamed General Lincoln. Placed in service on 20 Jul 1920, under Capt. Thomas Woolford. Sold in 1923-1924, and renamed the Indian Head. |
|
| Majestic | Built in 1903. 201 feet. 717 gross ton. Side-wheeler. Originally named the Happy Day. Bought in 1923 and had its superstructure altered to accommodate more vehicles. Capacity: 35 vehicles Scheduled for sale in 1927 but sunk in Baltimore Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... harbor in the Summer of 1927. Later raised and converted into a barge. |
Photo link |
| Albert C. Ritchie | Built in 1883/1884. 194 feet. Originally named the Newburgh and built for the West Shore and Ontario Terminal Company (later acquired by the New York Central System and reincorporated as the West Shore Railroad Company). Taken out of service in 1911, it was later purchased in 1916 by Erie's Pavonia Ferry Pavonia Ferry The Pavonia Ferry was a ferry service which conveyed passengers between New York City and Jersey City. It was launched in 1854. It was sold to the Pavonia Ferry Company of Jersey City for what was considered a low price of $9,050, at New York City Hall, in February 1854.In February 1859 Nathaniel... Company and renamed the Passaic*, then sold again in 1924 and renamed the Albert C. Ritchie. Wooden hulled. Modified as a double-ender which could also accommodate cars. Six lanes across. Capacity: 75-80 vehicles and 1200 passengers. Placed in service on July 22 1926. Sold sometime around 1944.
|
Photo link |
| John M. Dennis | Built in 1929 by Spear Engineers, Inc. of Portsmouth, VA. 215 feet. Six lanes across. Diesel.
Capacity: 65 vehicles; 880 passengers. Placed in service on June 13, 1929. |
Photo LInk: John M. Dennis breaking her way through ice on the bay in the 1930s. |
| Gov. Harry W. Nice | Built in 1936 by the Maryland Drydock Co. 198 feet. Six lanes across. Diesel. Capacity: 68 vehicles; 792 passengers. Placed in service on May 4 1938, under Capt. Thomas Woolford. Purchased by Washington State Ferries Washington State Ferries Washington State Ferries is a passenger and automobile ferry service owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation that serves communities on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. It is the most used ferry system in the world and the largest passenger and automobile... in 1951, for use on Puget Sound, and renamed the Olympic. Sold in 1997 to a private owner with the idea of turning it into a sightseeing vessel and museum. Nothing came of the idea and the boat was turned over to Seattle’s Pacific Marine Foundation who sold it to a private owner in 2009/2010. It is currently moored at Ketron Island in Washington State. |
photo of the Olympic Photo link |
| Gov. Emerson C. Harrington II | Built in 1913 at the Merrill-Stevens shipyard in Jacksonville, Florida. 130 feet. Double-ender powered by a coal-fired steam engine. Built as the South Jacksonville in 1913 at the Merrill-Stevens shipyard in Jacksonville Florida for the Jacksonville Ferry and Land Company. The double-ended ferryboat had a 40-foot beam. She was put into service on the Saint Johns River between downtown Jacksonville and South Jacksonville. A bridge (a ferryboats worst enemy) was built in 1921 and the boat was no longer needed. She was sold to the Tocony-Palmyra Ferry Company of Philadelphia and put into service on the Delaware River under the new name “Mount Holly”. In 1927 the “Mount Holly” went to New York Harbor. Her new owners, the 34th Street Vehicular Ferry Company kept the name “Mount Holly” and put her into service on the East River between Long Island City and the foot of East 34th Street in Manhattan. The company failed in 1936 and she was purchased by the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Co. on May 5, 1938, at which time major rebuilding was done of the superstructure. Capacity: 32 vehicles; 256 passengers. In 1945, the original steam and coal-fired boilers were replaced with a pair of 6-cylinder diesel engines. In 1954 it was sold for service on Lake Champlain Lake Champlain Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of... , run by the Lake Champlain Transportation Company Lake Champlain Transportation Company The Lake Champlain Transportation Company provides car and passenger ferry service at four points on Lake Champlain in the United States. From 1976 to 2003, it was owned by Burlington, Vermont, businessman Raymond C. Pecor, Jr. who is Chairman of the company's board... and rechristened the Adirondack, to run between Burlington and Port Kent. As of 1999, it was the oldest double-ended ferry still in service in North America, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary on January 15, 1913. |
Links to photos of the Adirondack: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidjohn36/3410763222/ http://www.thebluecomet.com/amtAdirondackFerry.jpg http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/DavidJohn36/574 see "Adirondack" http://www.ferries.com/gfx/fleet.pdf |
| Gov. Herbert R. O'Conor | Built in 1946 at the Maryland Drydock Co. as a steel double-ender. 218 feet. Diesel. Capacity: 75 vehicles; 894 passengers. Placed in service on February 22, 1947. Sold to the Washington State Ferries Washington State Ferries Washington State Ferries is a passenger and automobile ferry service owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation that serves communities on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. It is the most used ferry system in the world and the largest passenger and automobile... in 1951, for use on Puget Sound, and renamed Rhododendron. The boat is still in active service. |
Photo links: http://higginsandrelatedmarylandfamilies.com/Ferry/GovHerbertOConor.jpg http://www.evergreenfleet.com/rhodypast.html http://www.evergreenfleet.com/rhody.html |
| Eastern Bay/B. Frank Sherman | Built 1926. 146 feet. Originally named the Frederick Peirce for Electric Ferries, Inc. Electric diesel. Capacity: 33 vehicles; 495 passengers. It was later sold to the US Government and renamed the Westchester (1931), then to the Port Richmond Ferry Co. and renamed the North Jersey (1947), to the Claiborne-Annapolis Ferry Co. as the Eastern Bay (1949), then renamed the B. Frank Sherman (1951), then sold and renamed the Chesapeake (1955), and finally scrapped in 1979. |
Other miscellaneous photographs
http://higginsandrelatedmarylandfamilies.com/Ferry/index.html