Last week, I delivered a talk titled “From Here to There: Ferries and Bridges Cross the Delaware” at the New Castle Court House Museum. Despite the stormy weather on a Thursday afternoon, an enthusiastic and sizeable crowd gathered in the historic courtroom to attend the program.
Crossing the Delaware River presented a formidable challenge in the early days, with ferryboats serving as the primary mode of conveyance for centuries. It wasn’t until August 16, 1951, with the opening of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, that the ferry era ended at New Castle.
As a speaker, I engage the audience by encouraging active participation and conversation during my talks. Therefore, I invited the audience to share their stories, memorabilia, and recollections of the past while also asking questions.
Memories of the Ferries
At one point, two gentlemen seated together revealed that their grandfather and uncle had worked on the ferryboats. As the conversation unfolded, others chimed in, mentioning their relatives’ involvement with the ferry company.
Charlie Cobb shared that one of his family members, Captain Jack T. Wilson, commanded the DuPont Company ferry boat, Atlantic City, on its last run on Aug. 17, 1951. The Atlantic City made one round trip a day from Wilmington, taking Delaware residents to their jobs at the Chambers Works. The Morning News reported that Captain Wilson had worked the waters for thirty years.
Meanwhile, a group of ladies from Salem County offered their perspectives, reminiscing about riding the ferryboat to New Castle for Saturday matinees. This prompted a New Castle resident to remark that Delaware youngsters would also travel to Pennsville to enjoy the Riverview Beach Amusement Park. One of the courthouse guests had extensively researched the travels of one of the old New Castle ferryboats after its retirement on the Delaware.
The Conversation Continued
The conversation extended beyond the formal program as more people gathered to share stories and show photos and memorabilia they had brought along. These interactions added a lot to the program. Engaging in conversations about history creates a more fulfilling and informative experience for everyone involved.
I want to thank all the participants who generously shared their family stories and memorabilia during the program. The New Castle Court House Museum, a part of Delaware Historical and Cultural Affairs, sponsored the program.
There is an error on your site. The individual holding up the picture of his father, Ed Ryan, working on the New Castle ferry is his son, Edward Ryan of New Castle….not Joseph Wise.
Thanks Colleen. I’ll fix it. Thanks for letting me know.