Kingston-Rhinecliff Ferries

Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum

Kingston-Rhinecliff ferries “Transport” and “Kingston” in their slips along the Rondout in the 1930s. The steam ferry “Transport” had been running on the route since 1881 while the “Kingston” a more modern diesel ferry began operating locally in 1930. It was unusual for the ferry company to own and operate more than one boat on the route. The historic ferry slip location is along the Rondout Creek Promenade at the eastern edge of the Hudson River Maritime Museum campus.

The last Kingston-Rhinecliff ferry, “George Clinton”, shown coming into her slip on the Rondout, c. mid-1950s. Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum

In 1942, so few automobiles were using the ferry, due to World War II gas rationing, the privately owned ferry company discontinued operation. In 1946 the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) was charged by the New York State Legislature with the operation of the ferry. NYSBA purchased the necessary equipment and the ferry crossings started up again in May 1946. The George Clinton ran for the nine years of planning and construction of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. The ferry was discontinued with the 1957 opening of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

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