Comments on: Captains Recall Legendary Days of Eastern Shore Ferries https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/ Your Online Newspaper in Cape Charles, Virginia Fri, 07 Aug 2015 21:55:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 By: Captain Bill Phillips https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/#comment-40979 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 23:46:52 +0000 http://capecharleswave.com/?p=10392#comment-40979 Ed,

How nice it was to read these comments about your Dad and I. Thank you so much for your kind words and praise. I’m sure your Dad is proud of you. I too have the utmost respect for your father.

Regards,
Bill

]]> By: Charles (Ed) Belote https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/#comment-29101 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 18:53:46 +0000 http://capecharleswave.com/?p=10392#comment-29101 I sailed under both Captain Richard Belote and Captain Billy Ray Phillips as an ordinary seaman (OS), lifeboat-man and a able seaman (AB) with the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Cape May-Lewes Ferry System. Both of these captains taught me a lot and my respect for them is of the utmost. I was always proud to be a part of their crews and always felt very safe under their command. Both captains ran a tight ship and were very stern but fair. I did not know anyone that did not like sailing under them. The U.S. merchant marines need more captains like them.

As a small child living in Willis Wharf, Virginia, I can remember Captain Phillips and of course my father, Captain Belote. One time during a hurricane, my father took us on the ferry so we would be safe from the storm. I have seen many photos of the Virginia ferries and have heard many tales. I also remember when the ferries were taken to Delaware and I do remember sailing on the S.S Delaware and the S.S. New Jersey as a child in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I also remember some of the old ferries that sailed in Virginia.

I take my hat off to both Captain Belote and Captain Phillips. I appreciate everything both of these men taught me and how their tutelage made me a better person.

]]> By: Tom Hanson https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/#comment-27082 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 21:42:14 +0000 http://capecharleswave.com/?p=10392#comment-27082 I recall leaving Virginia Tech in the 50’s, heading home to Machipongo for the Christmas holidays. It was always a cold hour and 45 minutes crossing the Bay. However, it was much more fun than the Bridge-Tunnel. The summer crossings were, of course, more comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable. Since I normally hitched rides from Blacksburg, it required my wearing the cadet uniform for pick-up success along the highways.

]]> By: Bill Neville https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/#comment-27058 Thu, 05 Dec 2013 16:43:30 +0000 http://capecharleswave.com/?p=10392#comment-27058 When I submitted this article I made a mistake on the captains retirement dates. For the sake of accuracy, Captain Belote did leave in 1971 but Captain Phillips remained until 1992. Another thing that I intended to include but inadvertently omitted was that Captain Belote was also instrumental in the rescue of five people from a capsized boat off Cape May.

]]> By: Erving Gray https://capecharleswave.com/2013/12/captains-recall-legendary-days-of-eastern-shore-ferries/#comment-26979 Wed, 04 Dec 2013 20:26:43 +0000 http://capecharleswave.com/?p=10392#comment-26979 I worked summers as a deckhand (Ordinary Seaman) on Accomac, Northampton, and Delmarva during my high school and college years from 1954 to 1959. I made many friends among my Eastern Shore shipmates. The job was my first work experience and I learned a lot about life. It was a great experience — one of which I have many fond memories.

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