Drayton Island Ferry
History
The Drayton Island Ferry provides the only access for vehicles to Drayton Island. Residents of the island petitioned for the establishment of a ferry service in 1939; operations began in 1943. The original ferry barge sank at its moorings on January 12, 1956; although it was salvaged and returned to service, a replacement, measuring 48 feet (15 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m), was acquired from J.H. Coppedge and Co. in Jacksonville for $6,793. A safety inspection of the ferry was carried out in 1963 after reports were received that 40 people had been carried on some trips; the ferry's passenger limit was set at six.
In 1968 the ferry received an $1800 subsidy from Putnam County for its operations; overall the ferry had cost $4129 to the county to operate over the previous year, while in 1965 it had produced $2,267 in toll revenue. Repairs to the ferry landing were proposed in the early 1980s, with a proposal for the establishment of a special taxing district to provide funding, but were rejected as unneeded; questions were raised about the financial management of the operation at the time.
Operations
The ferry is currently operated by Putnam County, Florida; capable of transporting two vehicles per trip, there is a $9 toll for passage to the privately owned island. The ferry, which consists of a tugboat and barge combination, is located near daymarker No. 70 on the river. It nominally runs three times daily; however, the schedule is considered flexible.
References
- Citations
- ^ "Florida Bridge Information" (PDF). Office of Maintenance Bridge Information. Florida Department of Transportation. June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
- ^ Bull, Roger (October 9, 2001). "Our River comes home". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, FL. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ West, Maureen (December 10, 1978). "On Drayton Island Life Is Much More Simple". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. p. 9F. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ Klinkenberg, Jeff (August 23, 2009). "Fort Gates Ferry still crossing the St. Johns River Archived 2012-09-03 at the Wayback Machine". Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, FL. Accessed 2012-08-24.
- ^ "River Barge Sinks at St. Johns Dock". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Putnam County Edition. January 14, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ "Accepts Bid For Barge". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Putnam County Edition. March 22, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ "Putnam Okays Insurance Plan". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Azalea Edition. November 13, 1963. p. 1. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ "Drayton Island Funds Asked". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Azalea Edition. June 26, 1968. p. 13. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ Prevatt, Butch (December 31, 1983). "Tax District May Help Residents". The Bass Capital News. Daytona Beach, FL. p. 4. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ "Putnam Names Committee To Study Repair Project". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. December 14, 1983. p. 2B. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ Belleville 2000, p.115.
- ^ McGee, Penny. "Ferry fever: Scenic St. Johns a nice place for a barge crossing". Star-Banner. Ocala, FL. p. 6. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
- ^ Griffes 2004, p.144.
- ^ Young 2005, p.146
- ^ McCarthy 2008, p.65.
- Bibliography
- Belleville, Bill (2000). River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida's St. Johns River. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press. ISBN 0-8203-2344-6.
- Griffes, Peter L., ed. (2004). Atlantic Boating Almanac, Vol. 4: St. Johns River, FL to Key West & The Bahamas (2004 ed.). Annapolis, MD: Atlantic Boating Almanac. ISBN 1-57785-504-3.
- McCarthy, Kevin M. (2008). St. Johns River Guidebook (2nd ed.). Sarasota, FL: Pineapple Press. ISBN 978-1-56164-435-3.
- Young, Claiborne S. (2005). Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida (5th ed.). Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-58980-255-1.