Connecicut River Ferries

A history of river crossings in the region explored in new ferry book

Portions of this article are from the Mystic TIMES, division of the New London DAY, and can be viewed in more detail at theday.com with search "Connecticut River Ferries"

reading, signing and slide show of “Connecticut River Ferries,” hosted
by Bank Square Books in downtown Mystic. The book is co-authored
by professors Wick Griswold and Stephen Jones, published by the History
Press, and covers ferryboat activity on the Connecticut River starting
over four centuries ago.

Wick Griswold teaches sociology of the
Connecticut River at the University of Hartford, has authored three
books on the river and hosts a Connecticut River radio program. His
experiences include being a short-order cook, commercial fisherman,
construction worker and truck driver.

Local author and retired
Avery Point professor Stephen Jones has served as a lobster-man, dock
worker, filmmaker, publisher and lighthouse keeper, among many other
things. He and son Captain Geoffrey Jones manage two maritime operations
on the Mystic River.

These two authors present their subject very well, with a

history that covers the 1600s to our present day. At one point, there were

approximately 100 separate ferries
crossing the river, prior to the industrial revolution, steam power and
bridge constructions.

Ferries were initially constructed by birch-bark
or dugout canoes, or logs rafted together, powered by oars, sails,
poles, cables and horses.

Steam power came later, followed
eventually by diesel engines. The ferries transported livestock, wagons, people
and then later, autos and trucks. There are still two boats in
operation today, state supported, covering Rocky
Hill-Glastonbury and Chester-Hadlyme. Local towns also help support for
the continuation of ferry services.

In addition to a
thorough factual history and detailed timeline of the ferry services,
the authors bring to life the individual chief characters and families
involved, their conflicts, frustrations, failures and achievements,
along with anecdotes concerning various passengers and
travel situations.

What could have been a dry
historical record of activities is instead an easy, lively, entertaining
piece of work. I started reading it, and all 158 pages later, finally put
the book down, after eating one sandwich, a record.
Ed Johnson lives in Noank.