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The Village Casino Lakeside Auto Court |
 VIEW OUR BROCHURE | Ride The Ferry.
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The Sea Lion Project, ltd. held its annual meeting March 13, 2008 at the Chautauqua County
Airport conference room. Eleven members were present for the session. The Project was re-organized in
October of 2006, and the Board of Directors has been meeting monthly since then. The group has
recently absorbed the Sea Lion Restoration Group, and the two groups are now united, and working
together to keep the historic vessels of the area maintained and available to the public. The group now
operates the Bemus Point ñ Stow Ferry during the summer months at the narrows of Chautauqua Lake.
We also maintain the Sea Lion Ship, which is a 16th century sailing vessel reproduction (in dry-dock at
Barcelona Harbor). At the meeting, new Honorary members of the Sea Lion Project were given
certificates of membership. Five new Board of Directors were elected to 3 year terms, and officers of
this board were also elected to 1 year terms. Paul Stage is President, Duane Buchweitz is Vice-President,
Betty Lou Cheney is Treasurer, and Martha Anderson is Secretary. Other business at the meeting was
By-law changes, and updates on the Ferry and Sea Lion ship. A Board of Directors meeting was held
immediately after the annual meeting.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SEA LION SHIP:
The Sea Lion is a Replica of a late 16th Century British Three-Masted,square rigged Sailing Ship. It was built in the same way they built ships in the 16th Century. It was a several Year project,muliti Person Project Headed By Ernest E.Cowan of Mayville New York. It was commissioned on Chautauqua Lake in 1985. Local Residents, businesses, and Foundations contributed most of the Labor,materials and money for the Sea Lion. After a legal battle, the Ship was sold in 1992 to the Buffalo Maritime Society. It was taken on a Journey from Chautauqua Lake to Barcelona New York where it was towed to Buffalo New York. It Operated in Buffalo until it sank in 1999 in Lake Erie. Some Super Local Divers headed By Sam Genco and other Local People raised the Ship in 2000. It was towed Back to Its New Home in Barcelona New York.This is when I fell in Love with The Sea Lion. I love to take the short trip to Barcelona to Look at Her and take more and more Photo's. It is sitting at the Entrance to Barcelona Harbor waiting to be restored. I Hope it will sail again.
2009 Sea Lion Ship News:
The Sea Lion ship sits in Barcelona harbor, and is under repair and painting at the present. Weaccept volunteer help to work on her also, and was repainted in the Summer of 2008. She also
needs some interior maintenance work. She can be viewed at any time overlooking the beautiful harbor
in Barcelona, on Lake Erie.
2009 Sea Lion Photos
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BEMUS POINT-STOW FERRY
At Chautauqua Lakeís Narrowest Crossing of 968 feet, the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry Has
Been operating since 1811. It all began in 1806 when William Bemus bought the land on
Both sides of the narrows and he and his son used rowboats to get across the
Water. In 1811, Thomas Bemus applied for a license to operate a flat bottom raft. The
license was granted on July 11, 1811 at the Court of Common Pleas in Mayville, located
at the north end of the lake. This was the first order of business on the first meeting of
that court. At first oars and poles where used to propel the ferry. This was followed by
the use of manila ropes stretched between the shores. A few years later, a series of
pulleys and ropes were devised, powered by the use of horses on the shore. By 1887, steel
cables were put into use. At this time, the ferry was still being cranked by hand. The
first steam engine was installed by 1902, followed by the first gasoline engine six years
later. In 1943, the ferry was purchased and operated by the Chautauqua County
Highway Department. The first diesel engine was used in 1977. Since 1983, The
Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Co., a non-profit corporation devoted to preserving
Historic vessels on Chautauqua Lake, had owned
and operated the Ferry. In October of 2006 The Sea Lion Project Ltd. was organized
2008 Bemus-Stow Ferry News!
The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry ran last summer during 13 weekends and 2 holidays. We operated
throughout the summer with volunteer help of some very dedicated members and friends. This summer
the Ferry is due for a 10 year inspection by NYS, and will need to be removed from the water for this
task to be performed. We are hoping to be able to have any repairs and maintenance needed done
while she is out of the water. The group plans to drive her up the lake, and pull her out on the rails in the
Mayville Park between the Belle and the boat ramp. If extensive work is needed, she will be brought
back to Stow, and removed there for the major repairs. We are again planning to run the Ferry with all
volunteer help, and are looking for any new volunteers that would be willing to help out in any way. We
accept donations instead of charging a set fare. To be able to operate the vessel, a Pilot & Engineers
(P&E) license is required. Any one willing to give of their time that has a valid license, may contact
John Cheney, Director of Vessels, at 386-3065. Testing for the P&E test will be held in May for anyone
wishing to get their license and details of this can also be obtained from John Cheney.
We welcome all visitors to come and visit both vessels. A relaxing way to spend a weekend
afternoon is to take a ride on the Ferry or sit in the park and watch her cross the narrows. You can drive
your car, motorcycle, bicycle, horse, or walk on. All who ride her are enjoying a little piece of history,
as she has been running continually for 196 years connecting Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point, to Stow
Road in Stow, NY. The summer hours will be posted at the landings, and in flyers. If you have a special
event, the Ferry can be a part of that also if prior arrangements are made to have her running.
The organization would like to thank all of those who have helped us with their donations of
time, knowledge, work, or money. We appreciate your assistance and willingness to help us keep these
great historic vessels, maintained and available to the public to assist in the educational and cultural
enrichment of the community and region. Please contact John Cheney with any questions or for more
information at 716-386-3065.
CWD-TADF
