Chester Hadlyme Ferry

by Joan Carroll

Title

Chester Hadlyme Ferry

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

The story starts early in the morning when I left my fleabag hotel looking for some decent coffee. I saw a sign for "Historic Ferry", so while I was having my coffee, I looked it up to see if the detour was worth it. Seemed like it could be a fun detour, and it turned out to be the OTHER historic ferry in CT. But while I was there, I got to chatting with someone sitting in the parking lot by the ferry and he mentioned a place called Gilette's Castle and another historic ferry. So I made yet another detour and this is the view of the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry taken from the bluffs above the Connecticut River overlooking the ferry landings. From the State Historic Landmark sign (1976): For over two hundred years the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry has provided public transportation at this site. The first crossing was initiated by Jonathan Warner of Chester in 1769. Known as Warner's Ferry it was privately operated until 1877 when it became a town facility. This is the second oldest ferry in continuous use in Connecticut and has been owned and operated by the State Department of Transportation since 1917. For someone with a fascination with travel, this was a must-do! Lucky for me I wasn't too late in the season since this ferry only runs between April 1 and November 30, between the town of Chester, Connecticut and the village of Hadlyme (in the town of Lyme, Connecticut) along Route 148. Wiki says that "The current ferry boat is named Selden III, measuring 65 feet by 30 feet, and can accommodate 8 to 9 cars and 49 passengers. The crossing usually takes about five minutes. An average of 100 vehicles use the ferry every day." The Ferry was to be closed by the state on August 25, 2011 as part of the state budget cuts. The move to close the ferry was widely unpopular in surrounding towns and grassroots efforts began to save the ferry. Some residents believe that there are several state statutes that could possibly prevent the ferry from being closed. The state government rescinded its decision to close ferry service, and hence, it continues to run. Sometimes it does pay to talk to strangers.

FEATURED PHOTO, 3 a day AAA Images, 11/21/14

FEATURED PHOTO, The Road To Self Promotion group, 11/21/14

Uploaded

November 21st, 2014

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Viewed 4,685 Times  -  Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/19/2024 at 4:24 AM

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