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Ferry celebrates maritime history

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry held its annual Maritime Day Celebration May 16. Shown in the photo are Heath Gehrke, director of operations for the ferry; Lewes Mayor Ted Becker; Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton; Mike Hearn, Jack Hearn and Jack Hearn Sr.; Tom Mann; Tim Precht; Gene McMillen of the Coast Guard Academy; Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, speaker of the house; Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes; Laurence Knapp; Tim Sumner; Sgt. Richard T. Hurt of the Cape Henlopen High School JROTC; and Sussex County Councilman Rob Arlett. BY NICK ROTH
Nick Roth
May 25, 2015
A wreath was laid in front of the Unknown Sailors' Cemetery plaque to honor those who've lost their lives while on the water. BY NICK ROTH
Ferry Director of Operations Heath Gehrke introduces the Cape Henlopen High School JROTC Color Guard. BY NICK ROTH
Serving in the Cape Henlopen JROTC Color Guard are (l-r) Joel Torres, Olivia Baratto, Avante Hobson, and Alex Dominick. BY NICK ROTH
Lewes Mayor Ted Becker talks about Lewes' connection to the sea and its importance to the city. BY NICK ROTH
Zwaanendael Museum volunteers Beth Gott and Tom Pulmano take visitors through a journey across the ocean. BY NICK ROTH
The Zwaanendael display included the typical meal sailors would have on a journey across the sea. BY NICK ROTH
Crown and anchor was a fast-paced game of chance played by sailors. The game was found on the DeBraak wreckage. BY NICK ROTH
Representing the Lewes Historical Society in pirate garb are (l-r) BJ Young, Marcos Salaverria and Charles Young. BY NICK ROTH
Ferry Director of Operations Heath Gehrke talks about the inflatable buoyant apparatuses found on ferry boats prior to ferry staff demonstrating how quickly one can inflate. BY NICK ROTH
An inflatable buoyant apparatus can hold up to 100 people. An old raft was deployed in a demonstration at the festival. Guests were then encouraged to get in and jump around. BY NICK ROTH

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry held its annual Maritime Day Celebration May 16 at the Lewes terminal. Visitors were entertained by educational exhibits, a water cannon display by the Lewes Fire Boat and a demonstration of the deployment of a inflatable buoyant apparatus. Folks could also tour a ferry boat or the Del River oil spill cleanup vessel.

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Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams. 

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