THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 19, 1995 TAG: 9507190429
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. and NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt will help dedicate a new ferryboat today.
Ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. on the Manteo waterfront to christen the Thomas A. Baum, the vessel that will link Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
The Thomas A. Baum is painted red and white, the colors of North Carolina State University. All 16 of North Carolina's public universities will have their emblem and school colors on a ferry.
North Carolina State University Chancellor Larry Monteith, Wolfpack football coach Mike O'Cain and other university officials will be at the ceremony.
The ferry was named for the Nags Head native who launched the first of three successful ferry operations in 1926. Later, he opened the Croatan Ferry that carried passengers between Manteo and Manns Harbor. Baum died in 1945. The following year, the family sold the ferry franchise to the state.
The public is invited. Parking will be available at the Manteo Middle School, Manteo High School, Manteo Baptist Church and on Ice Plant Island. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at Manteo High School. by CNB