From the Feb. 6th New York Civil War Examiner.
Sgt. Major George Washington Whitman, younger brother of noted journalist and poet Walt Whitman and his regiment, the 51st NY Infantry were crammed aboard a troopship watching the federal fleet bombard Confederate defenses on Roanoke Island. One familiar-looking ship came into view, the USS Hunchback that the sergeant knew from his home in Brooklyn. Very likely he had been on it when it was a Staten Island ferry, but now it had been converted into a warship, with cannons on its decks where once people and wagons had been.
The ship had been struck by shells several times and had anchored but continued firing.
At dusk, he and the 51st landed and waded through 200 yards of slat marsh before finding a sandy spot to rest. A rainy, sleepless night ensued. The next morning, after a breakfast of crackers, the 51st marched through more swamps and participated in the capture of the Confederate forts.
The poet's brother was later badly wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, prompting his brother, Walt Whitman to rush to his side, beginning three years of his service tending the wounded.
Sgt. Major Whitman later became an officer and at the end of the war was mustered out as a Brevet Lt. Colonel.
Brothers At War. --Old B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label ferry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ferry. Show all posts
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry Rates Going Up-- Part 2
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
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
Saturday, May 28, 2011
About That Fort Fisher Ferry-- Part 2: Just the Facts
From the May 25th Wilmington (NC) Star-News.
Some Things You May Not Know About the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry and NC ferries.
1. The NC State Ferry System is the second largest state-run ferry system in the US, behind the Washington state one. (We've been on most NC ferries as well as the one in Washington.)
2. The state has seven ferry locations. Four are free and three charge fare. The largest operation, at Hatteras, is free. (Imagine something from a government that's free?)
3. The last Southport-Fort Fisher fare increase was 2006, when it was raised from $3 to the current $5.
4. Homeland security has required eight additional positions for screening at the Hatteras ferry.
5. You can buy a season pass for $150, good on all ferry services. This is especially a break if you are a commuter using the service.
6. At the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry, it's first-come, first-served. Even if you have a season pass, you have to take your place in line and hope you get aboard.
7. The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry operates two vessels, 365 days a year, from 5:30 am to 7:45 pm. They leave each terminus at the same time.
8. Six crewmen are required for under 150 passengers, eight if more.
A Highly Recommended Trip if You're Ever in the Area. --Old B-Runner
Some Things You May Not Know About the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry and NC ferries.
1. The NC State Ferry System is the second largest state-run ferry system in the US, behind the Washington state one. (We've been on most NC ferries as well as the one in Washington.)
2. The state has seven ferry locations. Four are free and three charge fare. The largest operation, at Hatteras, is free. (Imagine something from a government that's free?)
3. The last Southport-Fort Fisher fare increase was 2006, when it was raised from $3 to the current $5.
4. Homeland security has required eight additional positions for screening at the Hatteras ferry.
5. You can buy a season pass for $150, good on all ferry services. This is especially a break if you are a commuter using the service.
6. At the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry, it's first-come, first-served. Even if you have a season pass, you have to take your place in line and hope you get aboard.
7. The Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry operates two vessels, 365 days a year, from 5:30 am to 7:45 pm. They leave each terminus at the same time.
8. Six crewmen are required for under 150 passengers, eight if more.
A Highly Recommended Trip if You're Ever in the Area. --Old B-Runner
About That Fort Fisher Ferry-- Part 1
The State of North Carolina, like all governmental entities, is facing huge budget deficits and looking to raise money. One of the items under discussion is to raise the popular Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry fare.
Right now, it is $5 a car and passengers. The General Assembly wants to raise it to $10.
The ferry runs from the tip of Federal Point (called Confederate Point) during the war) near the remains of Battery Buchanan where the fort's garrison surrendered across the Cape Fear River to Southport (called Smithville before and during the war). The remains of the Front Range Light at Price's Creek, used during the war, can be seen near the ferry terminal at Southport.
Taking the ferry is a great treat with the scenery alone, but if your were to drive the road from Fort Fisher to Southport, you would have to go to Wilmington to get to the first bridge across the river. That would be about fifty miles and lots and lots and lots of traffic.
The Southport business community is up in arms about the whole increase, saying it will hurt them badly.
More to Come. --Old B-Runner
Right now, it is $5 a car and passengers. The General Assembly wants to raise it to $10.
The ferry runs from the tip of Federal Point (called Confederate Point) during the war) near the remains of Battery Buchanan where the fort's garrison surrendered across the Cape Fear River to Southport (called Smithville before and during the war). The remains of the Front Range Light at Price's Creek, used during the war, can be seen near the ferry terminal at Southport.
Taking the ferry is a great treat with the scenery alone, but if your were to drive the road from Fort Fisher to Southport, you would have to go to Wilmington to get to the first bridge across the river. That would be about fifty miles and lots and lots and lots of traffic.
The Southport business community is up in arms about the whole increase, saying it will hurt them badly.
More to Come. --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
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