Martha's Vineyard James Kinsella

Steamship Authority Weathers Changes Through Long Year

James Kinsella | Thursday, December 30 2004 - 7:00pm

Steamship Authority Weathers Changes Through Long Year

By JAMES KINSELLA

As 2004 got under way at the Steamship Authority, there was some question about whether there would be a Steamship Authority in the future.

In mid-January Nantucket governor Grace Grossman confirmed that she had been exploring since the previous summer whether that island should secede from the boat line, an entity created by the state in 1960 to ensure reliable, affordable ferry travel between Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and the mainland.

Drawbridge Committee Advocates Outside Study

James Kinsella

Drawbridge Committee Advocates Outside Study

By James Kinsella

Over the objections of the county engineer, the Lagoon Pond Drawbridge Committee on Wednesday recommended that Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs fund an $11,700 study of what, if anything, can be done to prolong the use of the existing drawbridge.

And the Pitch: Cong. Mel Watt Steadies Game in Washington

James Kinsella

And the Pitch: Cong. Mel Watt Steadies Game in Washington

By JAMES KINSELLA
Gazette Senior Writer

In 1963, a young man named Melvin Watt tried out as a pitcher for the freshman baseball team at the University of North Carolina.

Today, Mr. Watt does not recall the other hopefuls as being appreciably different in playing ability. But there was at least one thing that set him aside from the other players: he was African-American, and the others were not.

U.S. Coast Guard Orders Increased Ferry Security After London Bombings

James Kinsella

The United States Coast Guard has ordered the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises to increase security measures on their ferries following the

From Rotary Phones to Wireless, Cuttyhunk Enters Electronic Age

James Kinsella

When it comes to telephone service, Cuttyhunk may be going cutting edge. As part of a plan to upgrade service on the island, part of the town of Gosnold, Verizon has proposed putting up a 45-foot pole on town property on Tower Hill Road.

Wampanoag Tribe Drops Appeal in Federal court; State High Ruling Prevails

James Kinsella

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) announced this week that it will not appeal the landmark sovereignty case to the United States Supreme Court.

The decision means that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) decision from late last year will be allowed to stand, and the case will now return to the superior court for a remedy.

An Old Ferry Sails to New York; Schamonchi Reborn as Party Boat

James Kinsella

An Old Ferry Sails to New York; Schamonchi Reborn as Party Boat

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

The old ferry Schamonchi has sailed off into the sunset - literally.

The unwanted remnant of Steamship Authority ferry service between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard left its Fairhaven dock around 7 p.m. last Wednesday and steamed west for New York city. Fourteen hours later, the vessel arrived in Queens, three to four hours faster than expected.