Woodland Ferry
- Not to be confused with Woodland fairy.
The Woodland Ferry is a cable ferry located in western Sussex County, Delaware, spanning the Nanticoke River, west of the city of Seaford. The Ferry is currently operated by the Delaware Department of Transportation, and operates year-round. The ferry is closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day, and also as required by weather.
The ferry is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, ferries in continuous operation in the United States. In addition to its longevity, the ferry is also of historical importance, being one of the locations where slave runner Patty Cannon embarked with kidnapped runaway slaves and free blacks, selling them back into servitude in Georgia.
The Ferry was established in the 1740s by James Cannon, and operated by his son Jacob after his death. After Jacob's death in 1793, his widow petitioned the Delaware General Assembly for exclusive rights to operate a ferry service across the river. The Ferry was privately operated by the Cannon family until the mid-19th century, when the General Assembly authorized the county to operate a free ferry at the location of "Cannon's Ferry".
In 1935 the Delaware Department of Transportation assumed responsibility for the operation of the Ferry and has continued to operate it into the 21st century.
The 65-foot-long Tina Fallon was put into service in 2007, replacing the 65-foot-long Virginia C. The Virginia C, which can transport up to three vehicles at a time, was sold at auction in February 2008.
The Tina Fallon was be constructed by Chesapeake Shipbuilding of Salisbury, Maryland at a cost of $931,000 and can carry six vehicles at a time. The site work was be completed by George and Lynch of New Castle, Delaware. The total cost for the project was approximately 3.2 million dollars, including $931,000 for the ferry, $1.8 million for new docks and $500,000 for permits, security cameras and lighting. The new ferry was be named after Tina Fallon, a long-time state government representative from Seaford. [1]
The Woodland Ferry Festival is held every September to celebrate the ferry and its contribution to local culture.[2]
References
- ↑ "More troubles for Woodland Ferry". The News Journal. 2009-10-16. http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091016/NEWS02/910160360.
- ↑ "Woodland Ferry Festival". Greater Seaford Chamber of Commerce. 2008-12-26. http://www.seafordchamber.com/woodland.html.
