History of Frye Island Ferry Service
In 1965, an old Casco Bay Lines ferry was purchased by the development company, Sebago Lake Shores. The ferry began transporting prospective buyers, as well as laborers and their equipment for construction of the development's infrastructure and cottages.
In 1968, the first ferry boat, Leisure Lady I, was purchased. It was built by Blount Marine in Rhode Island, launched at Raymond Beach and remains in service.
Leisure Lady I was later renamed “Ellie Corliss”. Ellie was the longtime maintenance foreman from 1974-1995. Kevin LaMarre (Frye Island employee 1986-2006) and Vic Richards (Town Manager) got the name approved after Ellie passed away in December of 1995. Kevin LaMarre affixed a memorial plaque for Ellie Corliss on the Leisure Lady I which can still be seen on the ferry.
In 1970, the Leisure Lady II was purchased. Both boats were built by Blount Marine in Rhode Island.
The original gantry was adjusted according to the lake level. The adjustments were usually done during the week when there was less traffic.
The old gantry was made up of a hinged steel plate the width of the ferry. The steel plate was 3 to 4 feet wide. The hinged plate was raised and lowered by an electric winch with a chain attached to both sides of the plate. The steel plate was the only moving part on the gantry. The cribbing was situated directly below. There was a concrete footing poured to hold back the soil and prevent erosion as well as support the cribbing (6”x 6” oak beams approximately 4’ long). The cribbing extended from the footing up to and just behind the hinged portion of the gantry. This allowed the ramp to move freely up and down. There were two I-beams, one on either side of the gantry, extended back into the island. (Photo from May 1980)
When the lake level dropped significantly, a backhoe was driven aboard. Cables and chains were attached from the backhoe to the plate near the hinge to raise up and remove the oak beams. Someone would go down under the ramp and stand on the footing, remove the timbers and pass them up to the ferry deck. It was very difficult to determine exactly how many beams to remove. The weather would add to the equation depending on the rain causing the lake to rise.
In addition, there were issues with the gantry plate and car exhaust systems. With a full load of cars, the weight would lower the ferry causing the hinged point to be higher and causing a difficult time unloading the vehicles. Because of the fixed height, the plate would rest on the ferry causing a steeper slope. Many mufflers were torn off due to the steep incline of the small metal plate. The replacement of that old system was a VERY high priority needless to say.
The current gantries were installed in 1986 and the 2nd one the following year.
Back in those days, ferry service was 24 hours a day 7 days a week so there was no need to speed down Cape Rd to make a ferry. The captain and mate would bunk in the old ferry trailer. Cars were smaller then so the crew could load as many as 12 cars per trip.
Using the Ferry as a Party Boat was a treat. They would cruise around the island to everyone’s enjoyment.
The two ferries had compasses to navigate to and from the island especially during difficult weather conditions. Later, the current radar domes were installed to replace the old system per Coast Guard requirements
Winter storage for the ferries consisted of leave them on the mainland side, with submersible inline props to keep the water from freezing.
The current haul out was built in 2008 to allow maintenance on each ferry, especially to repair or replace propellers, etc.
The Ellie Corliss was re-powered in 2010 with new John Deere marine diesel engines which included all new electronics to run them. (It has been re-powered again over winter 2023). The Leisure Lady II was re-powered in 2016