An article a year ago in the Feb, 2009 Vineyard Gazette wasn’t good news for the beloved ferry, the Islander.  The Islander was retired in March of 2007 and had sat idle in New York harbor.  She was supposed to travel back and forth between Governor’s Island and Lower Manhattan.  But some issues had arisen and the Islander was  put up on Ebay.  What a sad end for the Islander and  for those who loved her.  The article starts out saying:

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Less than two years after her final Vineyard voyage, the once-beloved ferry Islander is floating unwanted off Governors Island, N.Y. waiting to be auctioned off on eBay like so much attic junk.

She is scheduled to appear on the shopping and auction Web site on the morning before Valentine’s Day. There is no reserve bid.

It was supposed to be a new lease on life for the old girl. When the board of Governors Island stepped into buy the ferry in 2007, some dignified sunset years looked in store for the 57 year-old vessel, plying the few hundred yards of calm Hudson waters between Lower Manhattan and the tiny New York bay island.

But she never even made a single journey.”

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On Feb 23, 2009 the Islander was sold for an estimated $23,600. The new owner was not sure if he would sell it whole or scrap it.

For two years the Islander sat idle in NY Harbor.

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According to an article, ‘SO LONG WE WON’T SCRAP THE MEMORIES’, in the Feb 11. 2011 Vineyard Gazette by Mark Alan Lovewell, the Islander was acquired by a marine salvage company in NJ and is being dismantled and the scrap metal being recycled to various foundries.

In 2008 the Martha’s Vineyard Museum did acquire one of the original lifeboats.

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A sad ending for a work horse of a vessel who, even though not sleek or graceful, for 57 years brought her own special beauty to the waters surrounding the Vineyard. The Islander will continue to exist through paintings, photographs and in the memories of those who loved her. There was just “something” about her.

Author: mvobsession

I'm married, I have two daughters and two grandchildren and they all love MV. Enjoy my MV blog and contact me if I can answer any questions. This blog started out as strictly about Martha's Vineyard but over the years I've branched out to include other obsessions and interests. I enjoy photography and like sharing my photos here as well. I'm also into genealogy and reading. Hope you enjoy :)