The Oxford–Bellevue Ferry is a

ferry A ferry is a ship, watercraft or amphibious vehicle used to carry passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. A passenger ferry with many stops, such as in Venice, Italy, is sometimes called a water bus or water taxi ...

service linking

Bellevue, Maryland Bellevue is an unincorporated community in Talbot County, Maryland, United States. Bellevue lies on the north bank of the Tred Avon River, and is linked to Oxford across the river via the Oxford–Bellevue Ferry. Clay's Hope and Orem's Delight ...

with

Oxford, Maryland Oxford is a waterfront town and former colonial port in Talbot County, Maryland, United States. The population was 651 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. History Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Maryland. While Oxford officially ma ...

across the

Tred Avon River The Tred Avon River (a corruption of "Third Haven River") is a main tributary of the Choptank River in Talbot County on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The river is long.U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline d ...

. The ferry began operations in 1683 and is thought to be the oldest privately owned ferry service in the United States.

History

In 2011, the ferry celebrated its 328th birthday. Until it switched to steam power in 1886, sails and oars were used to propel the boat carrying mostly local workers between orchards and farms. It has been continuously operated since 1836, seven days a week, except for November (weekends only). It is closed for the winter months between December and March. The ''Talbot'' began service in July 1980 and participates in local celebrations, including an occasional wedding ceremony. As a small ferry, it only carries nine vehicles, passengers, bicycles and motorcycles, although it sometimes carries dump trucks and cherry pickers.

Location

The 3/4 mile trip takes approximately 10 minutes. It operates from April until November and is based at 27456 Oxford Road, Oxford, Maryland.

News and events

The ferry was blessed on opening day, April 24, 2015, by The Reverend Kevin Cross of Oxford's Church of the Holy Trinity. Delays to opening this season were due to upgrades to its landing site on the Bellevue side, including " dolphin clusters" that guide the ferry into dock. The current owner-operators, Captains Tom and Judy Bixler, were on-hand to begin the season.''Blessing of Oxford-Bellevue ferry begins season'', The Star Democrat, posted Sunday, April 26, 2015, http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_e0f39688-385e-5801-a97e-34a09af5c5bb.html

References

External links

Oxford Ferry websiteOxford-Bellevue Ferry - St. MichaelsFerry Tales: A History of the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry
Ferries of Maryland Transportation in Talbot County, Maryland 1683 establishments in Maryland {{DEFAULTSORT:Oxford-Bellevue Ferry