There has always been a conflict between preserving the values of the past and implementing our perceptions of the future.
This spring, the captains of the Chappaquiddick ferry have taken to calling the older of the two ferries the On Time II and a half.
Peter Wells stands in the sun between Chappaquiddick and Edgartown on the On Time III, the Chappaquiddick ferry, which come Monday he will own, after a third of a century spent behind its wheel as captain.
Ownership of the Chappaquiddick ferry clearly seems a good deal
to a lot of people, judging by the offers Roy Hayes has received since
he revealed that he is looking to sell after 19 years.
It’s not hard to see why someone would want the business
— a monopoly service with an assured and growing demand.
The coldest weather in years has the Vineyard in a deep freeze.
Night temperatures have dropped into single digits and afternoon highs
have stayed below freezing every day this week but one. Edgartown and
Oak Bluffs harbors are locked up in ice.
The good ship Chappy, huge freight scow which will this summer transport freight and automobiles over to Chappaquiddick Point and back, was the cynosure of all eyes Sunday, when she steamed all over the harbor. With Engineers Joe Costa and Jesse Jeffers coaxing the automobile engine turning the propeller, Capt. Tony Bettencourt walking the bridge, Joe Brown and Oscar at the tiller ropes, swinging the craft around in her own length, the scow made triumphant progress, loaded to the ribands with free passengers and accompanied by a great deal of assorted and uncalled for advice.
