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Chester-Hadlyme Ferry

Chester–Hadlyme ferry
Chester - Hadlyme Ferry.jpg
Chester–Hadlyme ferry after closing time
Locale Chester, Connecticut to the village of Hadlyme from
41°25′09″N 72°25′59″W / 41.419272°N 72.433142°W / 41.419272; -72.433142 to
41°25′13″N 72°25′43″W / 41.420152°N 72.428622°W / 41.420152; -72.428622
Waterway Connecticut River
Route Route 148
Operator Connecticut State Ferry Service
Authority Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT)
Began operation 1769
Frequency as needed
No. of vessels 1 (Selden III)
Daily vehicles 100

The Chester–Hadlyme ferry is a seasonal ferry crossing the Connecticut River between the town of Chester, Connecticut and the village of Hadlyme (in the town of Lyme, Connecticut). It is the second oldest continuously operating ferry service in the state of Connecticut and is a designated state historical landmark. The ferry is part of the scenic portion of Route 148 and provides a convenient link between two of Connecticut's tourist attractions: Gillette Castle State Park in Hadlyme and the Essex Steam Train, which runs between Essex and Chester.

The Chester–Hadlyme Ferry operates during the daytime between April 1 and November 30. The toll for cars is $5 on weekdays or $6 on weekends, and it is $2 for cyclists and pedestrians. For frequent vehicle commuters, a discounted rate of $2.50 is available through the use of pre-purchased coupons. The current ferry boat is named Selden III, measuring 65 feet by 30 feet, and can accommodate 8 to 9 cars and 49 passengers. The crossing usually takes about five minutes. An average of 100 vehicles use the ferry every day.

Jonathan Warner of Chester, who owned land on both sides of the river, started a ferry service at this location in 1769. It was then known as Warner's Ferry and utilized a raft propelled using a nail and long poles. Warner's Ferry was the seventh ferry that was established in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Before it was established, travelers and goods needing to be ferried across this reach of the river could cross downstream between Saybrook and Old Lyme, which were connected by ferry as early as 1662, or upstream at Haddam and East Haddam, where a ferry began operating as early as 1664.


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