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These days the ferry is not the most popular choice for transportation, however before bridges, major highways and speed lines came along, the ferry was the only practical option for people looking to get across the Delaware River into Philadelphia from New Jersey.  The first know ferry system from Camden to Philadelphia was developed in 1688.  That ferry was abandoned and later picked back up in 1695 by Daniel Cooper.  By 1809 there were seven ferry systems operating out of Camden, NJ.

The West Jersey Ferry circa 1895

The city of Camden was still young when Walt Whitman was residing there, from the years 1873 to 1892.  In addition to making transportation remarkably easier, the ferry was considered to be partially responsible for the industrial rise in Camden City.  The advent of the ferry opened up doors for new business in what was a growing city.  In addition, the ferry allowed people in Philadelphia more job opportunities as they could take the ferry to and from work.  The new businesses brought about more homes resulting in a larger population, which further helped build the riverfront city.

The entrance to the Camden Ferry

Walt Whitman often rode the Camden Ferry and spent much time reflecting on his river-crossing experiences in his poetry.  As a young adult he had often ridden the ferry in Brooklyn where he grew up; I think riding the Camden Ferry in his old age was a way to get in touch with who he was as a young man.  In his collection Specimen Days there are three poems that I feel most clearly express his general reflections on riding the Camden Ferry; Scenes on a Ferry and River- Last Winter’s Night, Delaware River-Days and Nights, and Only a New Ferry Boat.  And although his poem Riding the Brooklyn Ferry gives the impression to be solely about his experiences in New York, I feel it can also be applied to his experiences in Camden.

The following are specific excerpts from the text which I believe best articulate Whitman’s time in Camden and on the ferry:

From Scenes on a Ferry and River- Last Winter’s Night-

What exhilaration, change, people, business, by day.  What soothing, silent, wondrous hours, at night crossing on the boat, most all to myself–pacing the deck, alone, forward or aft.

For two hours I cross’d and recross’d merely for pleasure–for a still excitement.

From Delaware River-Days and Nights-

But let me bunch and catalog the affair–the river itself, all the way from the sea–cape Island on one side and Henlopen light on the other–up the broad bay north, and so to Philadelphia, and on further to Trenton;–the sights I am most familiar with…

From Only a New Ferry Boat-

…all along between Philadelphia and Camden, is worth weaving into an item…in the midst of it all, in the clear drab of the afternoon light, there steamed up the river the large new boat…as pretty an object as you wish you could see…

The ferry traffic began to decline in the 1920’s beginning with the building of the Delaware River Bridge and after one hundred and sixteen years, the Camden Ferry took its last ride across the river at 9pm on March 31, 1952.  The Camden Ferry was the last running form of water transportation, and “when it closed it would be the first time in 264 years that Camdenites and Philadelphians would find themselves without a ferry system” (Baisden 18).  For many years the ferry served Whitman and the people of Philadelphia and Camden well; it was the end of an era the night the ferry closed.

Notice of the discontinuation of the Camden Ferry- March 31, 1952 @ 9pm

Today there are four major bridges that, for four dollars, will connect you from Philadelphia to New Jersey or vice versa.  Let us suppose you are coming from Philadelphia to see a concert in Camden, NJ.  By the time you add up the gas, bridge toll and parking costs, you have spent well over $15-20.  Or how perhaps you lives in Haddonfield and want to grab dinner in Old City.  Gas, bridge toll and parking…at least $20.  Want another option?  How about the good old Camden Ferry, or as it is known as today, the Riverlink?  For $6, you get a round trip from Camden to Philadelphia and save yourself both time in traffic and money.

The RiverLink-  Camden’s Current Ferry

These days the ferry is not the most popular choice for transportation, however before bridges, major highways and speed lines came along, the ferry was the only practical option for people looking to get across the Delaware River into Philadelphia from New Jersey.  The first know ferry system from Camden to Philadelphia was developed in 1688.  That ferry was abandoned and later picked back up in 1695 by Daniel Cooper.  By 1809 there were seven ferry systems operating out of Camden, NJ.

The West Jersey Ferry circa 1895

The city of Camden was still young when Walt Whitman was residing there, from the years 1873 to 1892.  In addition to making transportation remarkably easier, the ferry was considered to be partially responsible for the industrial rise in Camden City.  The advent of the ferry opened up doors for new business in what was a growing city.  In addition, the ferry allowed people in Philadelphia more job opportunities as they could take the ferry to and from work.  The new businesses brought about more homes resulting in a larger population, which further helped build the riverfront city.

The entrance to the Camden Ferry

Walt Whitman often rode the Camden Ferry and spent much time reflecting on his river-crossing experiences in his poetry.  As a young adult he had often ridden the ferry in Brooklyn where he grew up; I think riding the Camden Ferry in his old age was a way to get in touch with who he was as a young man.  In his collection Specimen Days there are three poems that I feel most clearly express his general reflections on riding the Camden Ferry; Scenes on a Ferry and River- Last Winter’s Night, Delaware River-Days and Nights, and Only a New Ferry Boat.  And although his poem Riding the Brooklyn Ferry gives the impression to be solely about his experiences in New York, I feel it can also be applied to his experiences in Camden.

The following are specific excerpts from the text which I believe best articulate Whitman’s time in Camden and on the ferry:

From Scenes on a Ferry and River- Last Winter’s Night-

What exhilaration, change, people, business, by day.  What soothing, silent, wondrous hours, at night crossing on the boat, most all to myself–pacing the deck, alone, forward or aft.

For two hours I cross’d and recross’d merely for pleasure–for a still excitement.

From Delaware River-Days and Nights-

But let me bunch and catalog the affair–the river itself, all the way from the sea–cape Island on one side and Henlopen light on the other–up the broad bay north, and so to Philadelphia, and on further to Trenton;–the sights I am most familiar with…

From Only a New Ferry Boat-

…all along between Philadelphia and Camden, is worth weaving into an item…in the midst of it all, in the clear drab of the afternoon light, there steamed up the river the large new boat…as pretty an object as you wish you could see…

The ferry traffic began to decline in the 1920’s beginning with the building of the Delaware River Bridge and after one hundred and sixteen years, the Camden Ferry took its last ride across the river at 9pm on March 31, 1952.  The Camden Ferry was the last running form of water transportation, and “when it closed it would be the first time in 264 years that Camdenites and Philadelphians would find themselves without a ferry system” (Baisden 18).  For many years the ferry served Whitman and the people of Philadelphia and Camden well; it was the end of an era the night the ferry closed.

Notice of the discontinuation of the Camden Ferry- March 31, 1952 @ 9pm

Today there are four major bridges that, for four dollars, will connect you from Philadelphia to New Jersey or vice versa.  Let us suppose you are coming from Philadelphia to see a concert in Camden, NJ.  By the time you add up the gas, bridge toll and parking costs, you have spent well over $15-20.  Or how perhaps you lives in Haddonfield and want to grab dinner in Old City.  Gas, bridge toll and parking…at least $20.  Want another option?  How about the good old Camden Ferry, or as it is known as today, the Riverlink?  For $6, you get a round trip from Camden to Philadelphia and save yourself both time in traffic and money.

The RiverLink-  Camden’s Current Ferry