THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200391
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
In an atmosphere of pomp and politics, the ferry that will join the fleet linking the North Carolina barrier islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke was christened by Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. on Wednesday.
With the traditional breaking of a magnum of champagne across its bow, the Thomas A. Baum was entered into service in ceremonies on the Manteo waterfront.
The ferry was named for Nags Head native Thomas A. Baum, a pioneer of ferry transportation on the North Carolina coast.
Hunt was joined by Baum's daughter, Diane Baum St. Clair, and NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, at the christening ceremonies. Many in the crowd of more than 500 wore Earnhardt T-shirts and baseball caps. A clamoring mob clustered around the seven-time Winston Cup champion, and he obliged them by signing hats, shirts, scraps of paper and even bare arms.
He played down the political impact of his appearance with Hunt.
``I'm happy to be here and help the community,'' said Earnhardt, a Mooresville, N.C., native. ``I'm interested in what happens in Raleigh and in the legislature, because what they do affects our business. But being involved in things that help communities is good for the sponsor. And it's always good to know the governor.''
Also at the christening were North Carolina State University Chancellor Larry Monteith; Jerry Gaskill, director of the ferry division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation; Tara Steiner of the Alabama-based Steiner Shipyard; and Phil Fowler, president of Covington Detroit Diesel.
The vessel can carry 149 passengers and four crew members, and 30 cars. It is handicapped-accessible. The trim on the ferry is redand white, the colors of North Carolina State University. A total of 16 ferries will be painted in the colors of the 16 state-funded colleges and universities and will run between various islands.
``We didn't always have bridges,'' said Hunt. ``You could only get to some places in North Carolina by boat. There were people who said it (linking the islands by ferry) couldn't be done. Thomas Baum didn't believe it.''
Hunt praised Baum's entrepreneurial spirit. Baum began the Roanoke Ferry Co. in 1926. After building three successful ferry ventures in coastal North Carolina, Baum died on Christmas Eve 1945. Diane Baum St. Clair sold the company to the state in 1946.
``Free enterprise started the ferry system. I am so proud to be here today to christen this ship,'' Hunt said.
Baum's nephew, Herbert Etheridge, said his uncle's pioneer spirit may have been sparked by a meeting with two brothers from Dayton, Ohio - Wilbur and Orville Wright.
``Tom Baum was 17 in 1903. He came home one day, and his father asked where he'd been. He said he'd been on the high hill with the Wright boys. His father told him to stay away for two reasons: one, they're Yankees; two, they think they can fly.
``I'm not sure he didn't share something with the Wright brothers. He believed if it can be dreamed, it can be done.''
Etheridge added, ``He was a strong, kind and gentle man. He would be very proud to know that there are still men and women who build strong ships to ply the waters of North Carolina.''
The ceremony was not without its political significance: Tara Steiner of Steiner Shipyard gave Hunt an autographed copy of Winston Groom's best-seller ``Forrest Gump.'' Steiner Shipyard built the ferry at Bayou La Batre, Ala., and Groom lives in nearby Point Clear, Ala. In the inscription, Groom wrote: ``As my friend Forrest would say, `When it gets tough, keep running.' ''
Hunt responded, ``Does that mean I ought to keep running?''
Hunt had appeared earlier in the day at the opening of the tobacco market in Kinston. After the christening, Hunt met with supporters at a fund-raiser at a Nags Head restaurant. ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photos by DREW C. WILSON/
More than 500 turned out Wednesday to witness the christening of the
Thomas A. Baum. The ferry will link Hatteras and Ocracoke and will
be part of a 16-ferry fleet linking islands along the coast.
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. joined NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt in
breaking a bottle of champagne on the Thomas A. Baum's bow.
KEYWORDS: CHRISTENING FERRY by CNB