Norwich bulletin., 1920-04-24
tspecial to The Bulltin.l


 Nsw London. April 1s.--rne ferry tp- oroton has been one of the standing em- barr&gEnnents to the town" SO wrote Miss Frances M Canlkins in her history of Nov London, come sixty years ago. No trurr ncntence was ever written and 1t hoids jast as good today as in the times of 1fhz Cauitins. Continuing the hissC-- ian writes: 'The disposition of 1t from the earliest times has been by leases varying from one year to fifty years, and in mt from three pounds to s25O per sn- nn1n- The ancient ferry was near the head of Water street. a position of man iftst advantage when a sailboAt was used as the high ground of winthror's nsck served as q protection from the wind and swell of the waves. It was comparatively easy, even in rugged vea~ ther, to round the point and run into tne sEnootn water of the cove. ----'' ---
 Ia. l5a4 ths -sunz of $500 vas raised by sabscriptiun. and wharf built at the end of the Parade. which was accepted by the town as tine only ferry wharf. The wharf Uaa rebuilt in 1851. In 1891, a horse or team ferry boat commenced run ming. In 1sis. an arrangement was made by the town with Marc M Comstock by Nhich he was to have lease of the ferry 1Df ten years on condition of his running a ferry boat propelled by steam. Under this lease a steamboat was provided sev- thty feet long. thfrty-fiye feet wide and nf fNcnty-ffve horse, which furnished the pubic with every requisite accommoda- tiou--
 sInce the passage of Miss .Caulkins fhat ferry franchise was leased for as low as S10 year. and at one period was oprrafed hy the city at loss for a year. Then the system of leasing was resumed. tha last lesse@ being the Thames Ferry company and the company made a pile of money and paid the city a snug sum fer the lease as we'll as commission on the receipta This was all velvet to the ciy- .--.
 The munIetbal arrangement made a iniscue when the last lease of the Thames Ferry company was about to ex- nips ln decllnnihg t0 renew the lease and deciding to engage in the municipal man uEeniant of the ferry, under the thrilled rrurnise that better service would be Efreu and that all t5le big profits would c1nns to the city treasury. This change was made wheu the municipal managers kncw fnli well that the state highway bridgs would be soon in operation. But nose city managers knew their business and. of course. with sanction of a mis- guided city meeting Big appropriation vas made. an old boat purchased to in crsaea the service. This old boat was fzken o1 the line after very brief service and vas subsequently, sold, but not un. tn q big pile. of the public money had been expended on the craft The muni, ciBal uanagers squared away and wenj Into the business with a rush, wi1h the Nnrposs of showing those who were op. uoard to municipal management thai there was money in the ferry business Tor the city. Just as was known the FtEfe highway bridge did come into op. sration and the ferry business began te dvindle. until now it is just what it al. Wzys ifz5 been. except when operated bJ the ThRrses Ferry company. as stated by the local historian. . Standing embarI t&ssnent Co the town"
 fhis ferry subject does not seem to di, cut as most public questions do after q reAsonable period. No; the fntnicipa fnlstzke Is kept alive by reason of tht lack Of proper service. and the increasine cost Of operation to the city The period kzs been reached where public official, have practically advocated a boycott or tie bridge 60 that the ferry might live ot 1lsSH. even If no return for the useless cutiay ever comes to the city. The Thames Ferry company would gladi, have continued the lease, but perhaps a . reduesd rental by reason of the bridg, eompetifion, that the company aud. tn, whole people knew was sure to come. Nc