The Luling–Destrehan Ferry was a
ferry
A ferry is a boat or ship that transports passengers, and occasionally vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. A small passenger ferry with multiple stops, like those in Venice, Italy, is sometimes referred to as a water taxi or water bus ...
across the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...
in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
, connecting
Luling and
Destrehan.
The ferry was one of three routes then operated by the Louisiana Department of Highways, District 2. The others were the pedestrian
Taft–Norco Ferry and the vehicle
Edgard–Reserve Ferry The Edgard–Reserve Ferry was a ferry across the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana, connecting Edgard and Reserve. The ferry was one of three routes then operated by the Louisiana Department of Highways, District 2. The others were ...
. The ferry ceased operation in October 1983 with the opening of the
Luling-Destrehan Bridge.
History
MV George Prince ferry disaster
The MV ''George Prince'' ferry disaster was a nautical disaster that occurred in the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...
in
St. Charles Parish,
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
,
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, on the morning of .
The Luling–Destrehan Ferry, ''George Prince'', was struck by the
Norwegian tanker . The ferry was crossing from
Destrehan,
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
on the East Bank to
Luling,
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
on the West Bank.
Ninety-six passengers and crew were aboard the ferry when it was struck, and seventy-eight died.
See also
*
List of crossings of the Lower Mississippi River
This is a list of bridges and other crossings of the Lower Mississippi River from the Ohio River downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. Locations are listed with the left bank (moving downriver) listed first.
Crossings
See also
*List of crossings of ...
References
External links
*
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is a Federated state, state government organization in the United States, in charge of maintaining public transportation, roadways, bridges, canals, select levees, floodplain mana ...
Locations and Characteristics of Ferries
Ferries of the Mississippi River
Ferries of Louisiana
Transportation in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
1983 disestablishments in Louisiana
{{Ferry-stub