Front:
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*****
ARK
DINE AFLOAT
FERGUS` ARK RESTAURANT - FOOT OF PRINCESS
STREET
FOOT OF PRINCESS STREET - WILMINGTON, N. C.
Back:
DINE
AFLOAT
COI
TH:
Fergus ARK Restaurant
-FOOT OF PRINCESS STREET
The Ark was built by the Newport Shipbuilding Co., in Wilming-
ton, N.C., and was launched September, 1922. She was chris-
tened the General Frederick C. Hodgkins.
She was commissioned into the service of the Army to transport
troops and freight between Wilmington and Ft. Caswell.
In the late 20's the Ark was used as a banana boat plying between
this country and Venezuela. During this time it has been reported
that a Cuban revolutionary plot was hatched by some of the crew
members.
During the 30's the boat was moored in Biscayne Bay, Fla., and
used as a gambling boat.
Acquired by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1941, it was returned to
Wilmington, its home port, and was used as a Quarter Boat for
Coast Guard personnel in the Wilmington Area, being moored
immediately south of its present dock. Hundreds of Coast Guards-
men received training for overseas duty while stationed aboard.
In 1946 the boat was taken by the U.S. Maritime Commission and
used as their office until permanent offices were completed at the
Lay-Up Basin.
Purchased by Eldridge Fergus, its present owner, in September,
1951, five months were spent in converting it to a Floating Restau-
rant.
LINPRINT COMPANY, Photo Offset Printing, Wilmington, N. C.
18
Net.
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