The Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry (FF-S) gets 4-5% of its operating budget from fares, now $5 a car load. In the 2009-2010 year, the FF-S ferries carried more than 167,000 vehicles and 455,000 passengers.
Captain Sandy Mitchell is a 24-year veteran and works 12 and a half hour days for a week and then is off for a week.
I have read that Southport is afraid of the negative impact an increase will have on their local economy because of a drop in tourists. No doubt Fort Fisher will likewise see a drop, although I think most people visiting the area are primarily there for the beach and nearby North Carolina State Aquarium.
And, like I said, to drive from Fort Fisher, back through Wilmington, then back down the west bank of the Cape Fear River to Southport is about fifty miles. And then, there's that horrible Wilmington traffic.
Here's Hoping for a Smaller, Non-Chicago/Illinois Rate Increase. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Southport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Southport. Show all posts
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Brunswick Civil War Round Table
This organization is fairly new, just being formed in May 2010. As of this past June, membership stood at 280 members. That is one big organization, much bigger than most round tables. And to have reached that number that fast. I sure wish our Sons of Confederate Veterans camps could do likewise here in Illinois.
It is called Brunswick probably because of the North Carolina county its in.
Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at Trinity United Methodist Church at 209 East Nash Street in Southport.
I was impressed that they would have a speaker of Stephen Wise's stature come to speak to them, but looking at other talks coming up, it no longer surprises me.
Jan. 11, 2012, they are having Ed Bearss speak. This is one man I sure would love to see. he is the real Mr. Civil War. (However, my wife's birthday is Jan. 10th so doubt I'll get to go.)
In April and May, two other noted Civil War scholars also speak. First, William C. Davis and then Chris Fonvielle. Fonvielle will speak on Union Naval hero William B. Cushing.
I Know Three Times I'd Really Like to Be in Southport. --Old B-Runner
It is called Brunswick probably because of the North Carolina county its in.
Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at Trinity United Methodist Church at 209 East Nash Street in Southport.
I was impressed that they would have a speaker of Stephen Wise's stature come to speak to them, but looking at other talks coming up, it no longer surprises me.
Jan. 11, 2012, they are having Ed Bearss speak. This is one man I sure would love to see. he is the real Mr. Civil War. (However, my wife's birthday is Jan. 10th so doubt I'll get to go.)
In April and May, two other noted Civil War scholars also speak. First, William C. Davis and then Chris Fonvielle. Fonvielle will speak on Union Naval hero William B. Cushing.
I Know Three Times I'd Really Like to Be in Southport. --Old B-Runner
Monday, March 21, 2011
Southport Times Gets Fort Fisher Commemorative Medal
The Southport (NC) Times, near Wilmington, announced that they had added a Fort Fisher Commemorative Medal to their collection of local history artifacts.
My father bought me one back when they were issued as I was such a Civil War buff, particularly anything having to do with Fort Fisher. I still have it somewhere in the house, but am not sure exactly where at this time.
It was commissioned in 1965 by the Committee of the New Hanover County Confederate Centennial Commission and minted by Capitol Medals in High Point, North Carolina.
Proceeds of its sale were to help fund the Fort Fisher Visitors Center that opened the same year. Also, money raised went to future maintenance and restoration projects.
The medals were struck with.999 fine solver and weighed one ounce.
This one was acquired by the Times on February 1st. They didn't say how much it cost. Too bad, I would like to get an idea how much mine is worth, but I would never sell it, being a gift from my deceased father.
Congratulations to the Southport Times Acquisition and Their Continued Interest in Local History. --Old B-Runner
My father bought me one back when they were issued as I was such a Civil War buff, particularly anything having to do with Fort Fisher. I still have it somewhere in the house, but am not sure exactly where at this time.
It was commissioned in 1965 by the Committee of the New Hanover County Confederate Centennial Commission and minted by Capitol Medals in High Point, North Carolina.
Proceeds of its sale were to help fund the Fort Fisher Visitors Center that opened the same year. Also, money raised went to future maintenance and restoration projects.
The medals were struck with.999 fine solver and weighed one ounce.
This one was acquired by the Times on February 1st. They didn't say how much it cost. Too bad, I would like to get an idea how much mine is worth, but I would never sell it, being a gift from my deceased father.
Congratulations to the Southport Times Acquisition and Their Continued Interest in Local History. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Fort Fisher-Dug Artifacts
From the Southport Times.
The Southport Times memorabilia Collection acquired seven artifacts dug up at Fort Fisher on Jan. 12, 2011, from a person in Ohio.
DESCRIPTION:
"These items were found and dug out of the ground at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in the 1990s. Included in the display are what appears to be a somewhat modern .45 caliber shell casing, a shot or musket ball, two blasting caps, two stone carved bullets and some kind of small metal rod. Some of the items may date back to the Civil War."
These items are displayed in a shadow case.
Of course, it is very illegal to dig up anything on the state grounds at Fort Fisher.
The .45 caliber shell might be from the fort's use during World War II.
The Southport Times newspaper is doing a fine job collecting area memorabilia and also has a growing postcard collection.
Keep Up the Good Work. --Old B-Runner
The Southport Times memorabilia Collection acquired seven artifacts dug up at Fort Fisher on Jan. 12, 2011, from a person in Ohio.
DESCRIPTION:
"These items were found and dug out of the ground at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, in the 1990s. Included in the display are what appears to be a somewhat modern .45 caliber shell casing, a shot or musket ball, two blasting caps, two stone carved bullets and some kind of small metal rod. Some of the items may date back to the Civil War."
These items are displayed in a shadow case.
Of course, it is very illegal to dig up anything on the state grounds at Fort Fisher.
The .45 caliber shell might be from the fort's use during World War II.
The Southport Times newspaper is doing a fine job collecting area memorabilia and also has a growing postcard collection.
Keep Up the Good Work. --Old B-Runner
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rare Price's Creek Lighthouse Postcard Acquired
From the October 2, 2010, Southport (NC) Times.
The Southport Times has been collecting postcards of Southport since 2004, and recently they saw one become available, only the second time they had seen one. The first time that one went for just under $200.00.
The Price's Creek Lighthouse was completed in 1849 and consisted of two different structures, a front and rear range light. Vessels coming into the Cape Fear River would line up the lights to ensure that they were safely in the middle of the channel.
The rear range light and lighthouse keeper's home is pictured on this postcard. The light was on top of the house. It is no longer there with speculation that its structure was used in local building projects.
The front range light can still be seen from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry when approaching the Southport dock. It is on private property.
The lights were used during the Civil War.
You can see the postcard and all the rest of the collection at
http://www.southporttimes.com/articles/2010/100201.html.
They also have an equally rare old postcard from 1939 with a 1 cent Franklin stamp of the front range light.
The rear range light and house was published in 1908 by E.C. Kropp of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and postmarked July 22, 1908. A 1 cent Benjamin Franklin stamp is also on it as well.
A Bit of Lost History. --Old B-Runner
The Southport Times has been collecting postcards of Southport since 2004, and recently they saw one become available, only the second time they had seen one. The first time that one went for just under $200.00.
The Price's Creek Lighthouse was completed in 1849 and consisted of two different structures, a front and rear range light. Vessels coming into the Cape Fear River would line up the lights to ensure that they were safely in the middle of the channel.
The rear range light and lighthouse keeper's home is pictured on this postcard. The light was on top of the house. It is no longer there with speculation that its structure was used in local building projects.
The front range light can still be seen from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry when approaching the Southport dock. It is on private property.
The lights were used during the Civil War.
You can see the postcard and all the rest of the collection at
http://www.southporttimes.com/articles/2010/100201.html.
They also have an equally rare old postcard from 1939 with a 1 cent Franklin stamp of the front range light.
The rear range light and house was published in 1908 by E.C. Kropp of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and postmarked July 22, 1908. A 1 cent Benjamin Franklin stamp is also on it as well.
A Bit of Lost History. --Old B-Runner
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry
From the February 6, 1960, Wilmington (NC)Star-News.
A Wilmington delegation urged the Highway Commission to support ferry service between Southport and Fort Fisher near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It was reported that it was the only missing link in North Carolina's All Seashore Highway.
Before the ferry, which exists today, if you wanted to go from Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach and Kure Beach) and Fort Fisher to Southport, the town on the other side of the river, you had to drive twenty miles back to Wilmington, cross the river and back another 25 miles to Southport.
Today, you just get on the ferry, pay a nominal sum and enjoy a pleasurable ride across the river. It sure saves a lot of miles and Wilmington traffic is no great fun.
I was not able to find out anything else about North Carolina's All Seashore Highway.
Sure Glad They Brought in the Ferry. Old B-Runner
A Wilmington delegation urged the Highway Commission to support ferry service between Southport and Fort Fisher near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It was reported that it was the only missing link in North Carolina's All Seashore Highway.
Before the ferry, which exists today, if you wanted to go from Pleasure Island (Carolina Beach and Kure Beach) and Fort Fisher to Southport, the town on the other side of the river, you had to drive twenty miles back to Wilmington, cross the river and back another 25 miles to Southport.
Today, you just get on the ferry, pay a nominal sum and enjoy a pleasurable ride across the river. It sure saves a lot of miles and Wilmington traffic is no great fun.
I was not able to find out anything else about North Carolina's All Seashore Highway.
Sure Glad They Brought in the Ferry. Old B-Runner
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Fort Fisher's Major James Reilly-- Part 1
One of those many, many heroes of the Civil War who are not known to the general public.
Dozens of people gathered at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery this last weekend to dedicate a new marker for Major James Reilly who surrendered Fort Fisher, was imprisoned in Maryland (probably Point Lookout). Even though offered a higher position with higher pay, he refused and remained in prison. From Wild Geese Today.
He had the nickname of "Old Tarantula" and was born in Ireland in 1823. After serving in the British Army, and crossed the Atlantic to the United States and joined the U.S.army. He served in the Seminole Indian War and was severely wounded in the Mexican War.
SURRENDERED FORT JOHNSON
On January 7, 1861, while the sole military person at Fort Johnson in Smithville, NC, now Southport, he surrendered Fort Johnson to a large force of North Carolina militia
Continued. --Old B-Runner
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