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January, 2005
(The Sunday Capital- Annapolis, Md.)
Report: Md.-Va. ferry could profit
(Excerpts)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP)- Despite a startup cost that could approach $47 million, a study suggests that a ferry across the Chesapeake Bay from Virginia's Northern Neck to the Eastern Shore could be profitable.
The draft study predicts that more than 200,00 cars and trucks a year would use a ferry between Reedville, Va., and Crisfield, Md., which are separated by 38 miles of water.
A ferry could make the crossing in about two hours, while the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a 220-mile, five-hour journey. By the Bay Bridge at Annapolis, the trip is about 270 miles and six hours.
Previous studies have concluded a ferry could help the rural economies of the two regions by improving cross-bay commerce, and enhancing tourism. The latest study reaffirms a previous conclusion that 20-knot, twin-hulled ferries may be too expensive for the run.
The study, however, suggests that two off-shore vessels be converted to ferries at a cost of about $3 million each. At 16.5 knots, a converted vessel would take about 20-minutes longer to make the run than a 20-knot boat.
Using converted service vessels might lower the capital costs of the entire system to $19 million. A Reedville terminal might cost between $5 million and $6 million, the Crisfield terminal about $1 million more, and a maintenance facility about $2 million, according to the study, the contents of which were released Saturday by The Free-Lance Star.
With fares in the $32 to $40 range, the study says the converted service boats should expect annual income of $8.7 million, expenses of $7.1 million, and profit of $1.6 million.
The ferry studies have been commissioned by a coalition of local governments and other interested parties on both sides of the bay, but neither Northumberland County nor Somerset County, Md., has committed funds to the enterprise.
The counties, however, should now back the proposal with money, the report says.
August, 1920
(The Washington Post)
Pocomoke City, Md., Aug.18- Francis F. Thomas, 21 years old, a brakeman in the employ of the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk railroad, had a miraculous escape from death yesterday at Pocomoke City when he fell from the top of a freight car to the tracks beneath the moving train, which was switching cars. Despite the fact that an engine and twenty loaded cars passed over his body, he escaped with slight injuries, no bones being broken.
October, 1909
(The Washington Post)
Parksley Church In Ashes
Special To the Washington Post.
Parksley, Va., Oct 20- The Methodist Protestant Church here was destroyed by fire tonight, which originated from the heater in the cellar. Before discovered it had gained such headway it was beyond control. The parsonage and other dwellings close by were saved after a hard fight. Loss estimated at about $3,000.
January, 1963 (Time Machine archive)
New officers installed by the Pocomoke City Kiwanis Club were:
Robert Pike, President
Gene Lusby, Vice President
William Murdock, Secretary-Treasurer
Board Of Directors:
A.T. Harmon
Paul Ehrenwald
Woody Selby
Ben Cohen
Norris Outten
Elmer Pryor
William Buchanan (outgoing president)
Receiving perfect attendance pins were Mr. Cohen for nine years; Mr. Selby eight years; Mr.Pryor and Mr. Outten seven years; Reds Harmon four years; and Mr. Buchanan one year.
November, 1933
(Reno Evening Gazette- Reno, Nevada)
Milk Trucks Carry Water To Fight Fire
Snow Hill, Md., Nov. 15- (AP)- When neighboring farmers and volunteer firemen couldn't put out the fire in the farm house of Walter Shockley, the milkmen did the job.
Shockley's electric pump broke down. The Snow Hill fire company ran out of chemicals. But a fleet of milk trucks was passing. The drivers drove to Snow Hill, filled their milk cans with water and rushed back to the farm to put out the flames.
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