Virginia Ferry Corporation Voting Trust Certificate 1953 (Virginia)

Rare Chesapeake Bay VA ferry company.  Plain certificate with fantastic local history. Issued and not cancelled. Dated 1953. Measures approximately 10.5 x 8 inches.

The Virginia Ferry Corporation (VFC) was a public service company that operated a vital vehicular and passenger ferry service across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay between 1933 and 1964. The service provided a critical transportation link between Virginia’s mainland (Little Creek in Norfolk/Virginia Beach) and the Eastern Shore (Cape Charles and later Kiptopeke) until it was rendered obsolete by the opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Original Route:
Initially connected Little Creek to Cape Charles.

Route Change:
In 1950, the northern terminal moved from Cape Charles to a new harbor at Kiptopeke Beach, shortening the crossing by 12 miles and reducing travel time to approximately 65 minutes.

Ownership:
The VFC was a joint venture between the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Wilson Line.

Legacy:
When the service ended in 1964, most of the fleet was sold to the Delaware River and Bay Authority to establish the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.

At its peak, the VFC operated nine one-way trips daily with a fleet that included converted World War II vessels:

SS Pocahontas:
The 367-foot flagship, capable of carrying 1,200 passengers and 120 vehicles.

MV Virginia Beach:
A converted WWII LST (Landing Ship Tank) that was later renamed the Cape Henlopen and is still in service today with Cross Sound Ferry.

SS Del-Mar-Va:
One of the original steamers built specifically for the VFC in 1933.

MV Old Point Comfort:
Another converted WWII LST added to the fleet in 1958.

Product descriptions and images
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