History with ‘Hud’: How the Cape Fear’s ferry system has evolved over the last century

March 21, 2024

Matthew Huddleston,

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With numerous modern bridges crisscrossing local bodies of water, ferry boats are no longer the lifeline they once were. But three Cape Fear ferries are still used each day to get people to and from their destinations.

The earliest still-operational ferry in the region is the Elwell Ferry in Bladen County. It began providing a way across the Cape Fear River in 1905 as a wooden raft pushed through the water by operators using poles and oars. The 33-foot vessel was started by brothers Walter Russ and Juhn Russ, with free service being offered six days a week and a quarter to cross on Sundays, carrying up to a wagon and two mules at a time.

Once vehicles began to become more widespread, changes were made to the ferry in the 1930s, with a cable being attached to make crossing easier. A gasoline-powered engine was installed in 1939. Unfortunately, an explosion from built-up fumes led to the death of founder Walter Russ in 1942.

Nearly eight decades later, around 60 to 80 vehicles still make the five minute journey to the other side each day.

While the Elwell Ferry is still going strong, another ferry from the early 1900s is long gone.

Before bridges arrived to carry people to and from Wilmington over the Cape Fear River, travelers had to use a ferry between the base of Market Street and Eagles Island. Passengers heading further west were forced to board yet another ferry on Eagles Island to continue across the Brunswick River.

This option existed for 15 years, carrying countless passengers, horses and wagons over the rushing water. In 1907, the spot’s first gasoline-powered ferry was put into service carrying up to 20 people at a time. By 1920, modern service began with a new 80-foot-long John Knox ferry boat. It was joined later by the 98-foot long Menantic Ferry, with these ferries working simultaneously to provide 20 round trip rides throughout the day.

In 1929, the beginning of the end arrived for the ferries, as toll bridges, called the Twin Bridges, were constructed across the Northeast Cape Fear River. When the bond debt for the bridges was paid off, the John Knox made the last crossing on February 6th, 1935, at 1:15 p.m. and the two ferries were permanently retired.

Another ferry service wouldn’t arrive to the region for another thirty years, with the Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry launching in 1965. The new transport offered drivers a link between NC 211 and US 42, as the first to have a double-ended, on-off option for passengers.

The Fort Fisher-Southport ferry offers service 365 days a year, rain or shine. Around 500,000 people use the ferry each year, with it taking just over half an hour to make the 3.5 mile journey from one county to the next.

A lesser-used but still important ferry also leaving from Southport is the Bald Head Island Ferry.

Construction on an Island Marina and Ferry Terminal at Bald Head Island began in 1982, with a passenger ferry service to and from the island beginning two years later in 1984.

The Indigo Plantation and Marina ferry landing in Southport was completed in 1990, with a new terminal at Deep Point mainland opening in 2009.

As a privately owned ferry system in Brunswick County, it shuttles more than 350,000 passengers, 90 percent of which are not residents, between Southport and Bald Head Island each year. Most are looking for a fun day trip away from the Cape Fear mainland.

Whatever the reason for riding local ferry boats, countless people choose the option each year. Although bridges are the preferred choice for some, the Elwell Ferry, Fort Fisher-Southport Ferry and Bald Head Island Ferry show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.