Railroad Ferries of the Hudson: And Stories of a Deckhand

First edition of this fascinating history of ferries in the New York City and Hudson area. This is a complete business, economic, technical, and social history of the ferryboats that were once operated across the Hudson River to Manhattan from New Jersey and that were owned and operated by various railroad companies in conjunction with their commuter and long-distance passenger trains. The work also covers the Staten Island Ferry (formerly operated by the B&O Railroad) and New York Waterway's present-day revival of services connecting with New Jersey Transit commuter-train services. About a quarter of the book is an equally interesting look at the work life of the deck hands who served on these boats, providing a glimpse of the working conditions, cultural mores, etc. of the working class before World War II. With ferry rosters. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos. 254 pages with index.