Days before the two Islands squared off for the Island Cup, Nantucket Steamship Authority governor H. Flint Ranney offered an olive branch to his western neighbor.
On Tuesday morning in Woods Hole, Mr. Ranney presented an antique steam whistle to Vineyard governor Marc Hanover for installation on the M/V Martha’s Vineyard.
“I offer it as a token of our great respect, affection and friendship for the Island of Martha’s Vineyard from the whistleblowers on your sister island of Nantucket,” Mr. Ranney said at the close of the monthly Steamship Authority meeting.
The 1877 bronze steam whistle was manufactured by the venerable Crosby steam gauge and valve company in Boston; Mr. Ranney also presented a copy of the patent for the whistle to Mr. Hanover.
Mr. Ranney said the idea came to him while he was aboard the M/V Eagle last week and a crewmember mentioned that there was a steam whistle for sale at an antique store in Yarmouth, similar to the whistle used on the Eagle, an heirloom from the retired steamer Nobska. The origin of the new whistle is unknown, but Mr. Ranney said he was assured that it came from a ship rather than a locomotive.
The ferry Martha’s Vineyard is currently undergoing annual maintenance in drydock.
— Peter Brannen
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