Norwich bulletin., 1918-03-16
(special to the BuIletin.l


 Thus early there is manifestation of grosa municipal mfsrnanagem of the New London Groton ferry, and the remedy ought to be applied be- fore the arrival of the good old sum mer time when the volume Of business will be materially increased. For some reason known only to the coun- ell management of the ferry, the cer. tificate of inspection of the ferry Governor Winthrop was permitted to expire last Friday night, that is Fri day night of last week, and the fiifnsy reason is given that the old boat in New York would be ready to go on the line Saturday morning. Even were this true there is no sense in not having the certificate renewed, as in an emergency Inspection could have been made without interfering with the ferry schedule for even government inspectors of steam boats fcan fit themselves to the occasion. It so happened that the boat from New York did not arrive as scheduled and the result was that the Governor Winth- rop was lowed back and forth between New London and Groton at an expense of $500 a day. Then it was found that ferriage of. that sort was not practical and trio of small boats were pressed into service to accom- modate foot passengers and vehicles were compelled to travel between New London and Groton by way of Norwich. The Governor Winthrop was unnecessarily out of commission and the Colonel Ledyard the spare boat purchased from the Thames Fer ry company with the rest of the plant, was also out of commission, occupy ing berth that is costing the city money every day. During the mhny years that the ferry was operated by the Thames Ferry company there has not been no such inconvenience ex- perienced by the dear public
 This ferry boat from New York, al- most old enough to vote, now known as the Nathan Hale, has finally arriv- ed after a layoVor at New Haven for repairs. On the trip up from New York the supply of fresh water run out and salt water was used in the boiler. Here was another blunder. If the tanks would not hold suffieinet fresh water for the trip there was an- pie room on deck to carry a supply in casks. This little incident means more expense in the everhaulding of mach inery and consequently more delay. It has also been learned that before the l Hale can be given a try-out in the local service there must be rearrange- ment of the ferry slips. Another blunder, for had been officially an- nounced that the Hale would fit the ferry slip in Groton. That the com mittee believed this is shown by act ion in letting the certificate of inspec- tion of the Winthrop expire with the expectation that the Hale would ar rive here in time to resume the reg
 ular trips on Saturday morning. It is
 a bungling mess at best and such con dition is likely to continue under the present management representing tho city. who thus far have rank incom-
 potency in the ferry business.
 1 A member of the committee weni to New York negotiated for the pur,
 chase of the old Port Chester, ant later went down to the big city wifi 1 g city check in his pocket and pur chased the steamer on partieually tht same plan as if he was to buy a baby l carriage, Just how much the repres, 1 entatiye knows about steamboats thu deponenth lnoweth not. but everyEod, knows he has had. no previous expert ence in that line. and what is said oi