Nantucket Ferries, Boats to America

This short film by filmmaker John Stanton, tells the story of Nantucket ferries, Nantucket's highway to the mainland. It includes stories about the Nobska, the last Nantucket steamship ferry and its memorable whistle; the Steamship Authority's slow car ferry and fast boat; Hy-line Cruises' fast ferry services; and how critical this form of transport has been and continues to be for Nantucket residents and visitors. Told through personal interviews with ferry employees and Nantucketers who shared their experiences and memories on and around these special boats.
Produced by John Stanton, Shouldered Oar Films, for the Nantucket Historical Association. Featured at the 2018 "Nantucketers and Their Boats" exhibition at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.

[@steve-o5600]

In my mid-70s but still a Top-Ten thrill of my life was getting to steer the Nobska when I was about 10 or 12. On a return trip (to I think Woods Hole) it was pouring rain and I was alone on the top deck pretending to steer the auxillary wheel at the stern. One of the bridge crew came down and took me up to the bridge. I took the wheel at the Captain's request for what seemed like an hour but was probably more like 10 minutes. No one I know has not heard that story LOL. In those days most of the fancy people went to Edgartown, and Nantucket was considered the faraway island and mostly for hardcore "islanders." I think the ride on the Nobska and her twin steamship the Nantucket of that era took approx. 3.5 hours.

[@dennislydon3682]

Notwithstanding a few serious incidents over the years, since the creation of the 'modern' Steamship Authority in 1960 the Organization has provided hundreds of thousands of safe trips no matter the dense summer fogs or the severe winter winds because of dedicated professionals such as Captain Bruce Malenfant.