Cape May – Lewes Ferry to celebrate 50th Anniversary

The Cape May terminal in 1964

MAY 21, 2014 — The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is set to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.

On July 1, 1964, the very first ferry vessel departed the Lewes, Delaware, terminal at 6:47 a.m. The ferry carried eight vehicles and 15 passengers. And the first car on board was a Ford Mustang, which this year also celebrates its 50th birthday. If its radio was on, it might have been playing “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which that year became the first Beatles number to appear on the Billboard Chart.

Since then, more than 43 million passengers and over 14 million vehicles have made the scenic, 17- mile, 85-minute trip across Delaware Bay to and from Victorian Cape May, NJ and historic Lewes, Delaware.  It serves as a major transportation link in the crowded Northeast corridor, connecting North/South traffic from Boston and New York to Washington D.C. and Florida.

“The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has truly stood the test of time,” says Heath Gehrke, Director of Operations for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. “While we have been around for 50 years, our ferries are state-of-the-art vessels equipped with fresh interiors and all the latest technology to ensure the comfort, convenience and safety of our passengers. We hope that people who haven’t had the opportunity to take advantage of all the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has to offer will do so in 2014 and help us celebrate this great milestone.”

The Ferry hosts a variety of seasonal events and happenings both onboard and at both terminal locations.

Operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry welcomes foot and vehicle passengers 365 days a year. All vessels are equipped with modern amenities, including outdoor deck chairs, air conditioned lounges, cafes, comfortable reclining seats, Wi-Fi, lively deck bars and flat screen televisions.

More on the anniversary celebration HERE