The M/V Cape Henlopen - 80 Years of Service

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Built as LST 510 in 1943, this ship is one of the last ships still in practical service from the Second World War and is now sailing as the M/V Cape Henlopen for the Cross Sound Ferry Service between Long Island, NY and New London, CT. This ship participated in the D-Day Landings on June 6th, 1944, and previously served both the Chesapeake Bay Ferry and the Cape May Lewes Ferry in New Jersey.

[@RLC2020]

I worked on the Cape with cross sound ferry for several years as a crew member. Its a fascinating vessel to say the least.

[@nordisk1874]

Especially when loading, compared to the Mary Ellen and John H easy load and a slow crossing!

[@anthonyponzo7390]

I worked on the Mary Ellen for a few years. Love that boat. When she was out of service for maintenance I'd go over to the cape. Super easy to load and nice and slow for long off trips haha

[@nordisk1874]

@@anthonyponzo7390 I remember we would over take her then slow down cause no body comes in ahead of the previous departure. The cape would set back the whole schedule!

[@lmyrski8385]

I have travelled on the Cape Henlopen a lot over the years. She's my favorite boat run by the Cross Sound Ferry. Although not cheap, the route is a lot more pleasant of a way to get to eastern Long Island , rather than fighting NYC area traffic to cross the bridges. That can be an ordeal even without rush hour. You also avoid construction on RT 95 and whatever is going on in the Connecticut cities that runs past (I have spent hours trapped on RT 95 in Connecticut due to poorly managed construction). I also used the ferry to go to western LI timing it so that I was heading west on the LIE while it and other roads were all jammed solid heading eastward and knowing if I took the bridge I'd be stuck. I hope they can keep her in service for years to come and then find a nice home for her as a clubhouse or restaurant rather than scrapping her, because I'll miss her.

[@TheGreatBigMove]

I grew up in this neck of the woods of Connecticut, but I've never been aboard. Maybe I'll make the trip this summer. It's really something special to see old ships be repurposed and put to good use, especially one with such an important history.

[@Robloxity_News]

Woah! TGBM in the comment section?

[@MegaBait1616]

I remember when Conn. was Booming what happened to the state ?? Politics ?? I retired lil early and travel around our country and now see the difference between Blue n Red States....TY n be well.

[@mikemancini313]

We love vacationing in Cape May. We've been going there every year during the summer. Beautiful place.

[@Cheezitzme]

I grew up on the eastern CT shore and spent most of my summer days on the water fishing in Plum Gut and The Race. Seeing this ship go back and forth everyday makes it easy to forget the historical significance behind it. Great video!

[@jaredkennedy6576]

Back in a previous life, I worked as a night security guard at the Thames Shipyard, which is part of the Cross Sound Ferry company. I have been on/under/around this vessel while it was on the giant floating drydock, and it's pretty impressive. Very shallow draft, to the point that the thrusters are actually partially above the waterline, and have oval openings to keep the inlets covered. When it heads out, you can clearly hear it and almost feel the engines from Ocean Beach. I was back there in October for my grandmother's memorial service, and I sat at the beach for a little while watching the boats go by.

[@ecannon649]

I hope she has many more years of service.

[@peterwhite9546]

I've ridden on the other Cape Henlopen just 6 months ago. I had made the trip from NJ to Norfolk many times but that was the first time I rode the ferry.

[@WhyAyeMann]

Ridden this boat so many times since I was a Tot, but never thought twice about her age or significance. Thank you for the video and your wonderful channel :)

[@brick6347]

Blimey, that's testament not only to a good ship but also great staff. It must be a ball ache to keep a ship that old in working order, let alone in regular service, so uber kudos to them.

[@OllieRamone]

Thank you for sharing her history. The old gal is still going strong. 😀

[@bethzolin6046]

What an amazing story. Thank you so much for telling it so well.

[@runningintohistory]

I rode this ferry a couple years ago. Was surprised when I realized it saw service in WWII!

[@stephenobrien2859]

Great drone pictures and good story details! I may have ridden her as a child in the 50s down in Virginia. We traveled from outside Hilton Village to Rhode Island each summer. My father was an XO on a LST in China after WW2 and later in Korea. I'll see if I can hitch a ride the next time I'm back on the east coast. Thanks again!!

[@connormosestitanicfansworld]

Tom your a wonderful youtuber your my inspiration part time explorer i absolutely love watching your videos every time a new one airs

[@justchillinghowaboutyou3174]

Wow, amazing ship. You're a great storyteller. Great video!

[@raybame5816]

My wife and kids took the CSF since 1974 to visit family in the Hamptons 2>3 times a year. In 1983-4 we got to travel on the Cape H. and because of her size and nice ride we tried to time our crossings to get her. I recognized right away she was a converted LST. At that time some of the crew were older Navy vets, a few of whom had been on her in WW2. I knew some of this history but your complete recap is very much appreciated. I liked and subbed to your channel. Thanks for a great channel.

[@captainAlex258]

we thank the ship for its sirvice...thank u..thank u

[@RailPreserver2K]

I had photos of the ship. If I had of know you would be making a film about it is would have sent you then

[@fhwolthuis]

Great story, thank you for bringing this to us!

[@OceanChannelProductions]

Also the drone footage is awesome!

[@cjmarsh504]

She's a beautiful ship

[@bs710x]

I've been on this a dozen times never knew it was a military vessel

[@lindagardenlady]

Me, too! Grew up on LI and have been on this vessel many times! May she live ling ❤❤❤❤

[@josaywhat]

Thanks for the video 🙂 Love the history of this ship ⛴️ my wife and I may go on this one day

[@kipter]

I was on this ferry a few times and never realized there was anything interesting about it.

[@chickenpancake1614]

thanks tommy

[@Kaidhicksii]

I knew many ferries served in the war, but this is something else, as she started life specifically built for the war and the Normandy invasion no less. That's a lot of history in that ship, and I hope she stays around for generations to come. She reminds me a lot, appearance-wise, of the ferries we have here on the Woods Hole-Hyannis-Martha's Vineyard-Nantucket run, namely, the MV Eagle with a bit of the MV Martha's Vineyard as well. Do you know how fast she is?

[@philski24]

Having 40 years of traveling - easily high hundreds of trips really - from Long Island to New England under my belt, I will safely say that is the ONLY ferry that CSF has I will go on - slower than the others, but at least I can get in and out of my car with ease. Plus I have been on it in some really nasty weather - where we were all told to stay seated.... and it seemingly dosent rock as bad as the other boats (Susan Anne being the worst IMO). I hope they keep her going as long as physically possible. It will be a sad day when she is retired.

[@Vladoz11]

it would be interesting to see staff accommodation

[@uhlijohn]

Very much like the famous SS Badger.....I traveled on the Badger when it was still transporting railcars many years ago.

[@geoffsheehan3856]

You should look into the Revolutionary War era boat that's sunk in the Delaware in Bordentown NJ. The story goes the colonists sunk it before the British arrived so it wouldn't fall into Red Coat hands. You can see the outline of the hull right below the water line. Well, you used to be able to. I haven't been there since 2008. But it might be worth a nod anyway.

[@oliversherman2414]

Hopefully it'll continue it's service and not get scrapped so many other older ships

[@mschiffel1]

"If it ain't broke...don't fix it"

[@velezdragon3574]

cape may lewes ferry is awesome

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

Huh, I probably sailed several times on that ship and never knew it.

[@BismartanicSFM]

Shes Beautiful.

[@primeguy9855]

Shes pretty 😯

[@timfellows9898]

Built in Jeffersonville Indiana not Jefferson Indiana

[@NiklasTheFox]

the oldest boats in service are the small ferys operating in stockholm and gothenburg

[@halleyangel1706]

Hope you head to Maryland I grew up on the bay and went on the USS Constellation many times. Yes Baltimore City and Bay are shitty and pretty at the same time. But hope you do head up there.

[@Jvoyles328]

I am loving your videos. However I need to correct you on the name of the city this was built in as it's my hometown. It's Jeffersonville, IN not Jefferson, IN.

[@chezsnailez]

Aye, a bonnie wee beastie...

[@billdurham8477]

Music? LST=Long Slow Target, I guess the poster has never been out on a 22' boat when the wind comes around from the west and 2' chop becomes 5' chop........and here come the pork chops...

[@Corgis175]

So she served Cape May for a while.

[@alexanderguselius8649]

swedens s/s engelbrekt build 1866 still in service on siljan together whit m/s gustaf wasa build 1876

[@velezdragon3574]

how did they get her from indinia to the ocean?

[@nordisk1874]

Great Lakes via the Welland and Seaway. So she’s a boat not a ship.

[@rctommy3200]

They sent her down the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois where the Ohio meets the Mississippi, and then from there down the Mississippi to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico.

[@sebastianthomsen2225]

😊👍

[@barneymm2204]

I like how she still wears her ribbons. After all, she earned them.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

My father arrived at Normandy during D-Day on an LST like this. It was exciting to catch a glimpse of the USCG Barque Eagle as the M/V Cape Henlopen was coming into Port at New London.

[@photone]

I rode her many times as a child when she was the M.V. Virginia Beach...my grandmother lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and we lived on the mainland. Great to see her still in service, and looking quite spry and lovely for a Grand Lady of such advanced years! Thanks for adding this, Tom, as always, you did an awesome job!

[@taylor7772]

Since you’ll probably enjoy it The Falls Clyde is a pretty interesting ship. It’s currently located In Honolulu Hawaii and is the last surviving iron-hulled, four-masted full-rigged ship, and the only remaining sail-driven oil tanker. I saw her during my High school senior trip to Hawaii as we were walking past I took a glance and snapped a picture (my Pfp) and thought “that’s a pretty cool ship” and thought nothing else of it. It’s fate remains unknown as the Musuem is struggling to maintain it as far as I know (the masts and rigging have been removed and her hull is pretty tired looking). Just thought you might be interested.

[@SezFrancis1]

What a fascinating history! She looks magnificent and majestic as well. Definitely would love to know more about her. Great video as always, Tom - cannot wait to watch the next one! 🙂👍🏻

[@alextellez2852]

I am a crew member on the LST 325 and it warms my heart whenever I see/hear about another LST that is still in service or even floating, whether in a converted form or not. Great video!

[@jaredlinder2717]

I ride this ship all the in between New London, CT and Orient Point, NY and have watched it from my backyard since I was young. It’s a great boat and I hope they continue to utilize it as a running boat for others for the opportunity to ride on history.

[@nordisk1874]

One of my favorite vessels I ever worked on!

[@smgri]

I worked on this ferry . We had a vet who said when they left Omaha it was full of stretchers and blood on the main deck .

[@JP-su8bp]

Fine vid, and without a bunch of superfluous fluff. There are plenty of vids about well-known ships that add little, if anything, to our collective understanding. Thank you for telling me of a special vessel about which I knew nothing.

[@DerpyPossum]

that promenade interior looks just like that of a great liner. would love to sail aboard that beautiful ferry. 👍

[@dougscott8161]

It's great to see one of the old LST's back (or still ) in service even if she's been up dated, upgraded and repowered, she's still an historic vessel and very beautiful looking. Thanks for sharing.

[@AndyHappyGuy]

A ship that once opened up to release a hoard of military equipment loaded with weapons now opens up to let in civilian cars and helps transport them across the seas.

[@t.r.campbell6585]

There is at least one GreatLakes cruiser that served in World War II and has two battle stars to its credit. I forgot the name of the ship. Could you all do a feature on that Great Lakes cruiser?

[@jimmyfiddlesticks337]

It's a nice feeling knowing that a ship such as this will spend it's last days a humble ferry.

[@OceanChannelProductions]

Nice, I was wanting to do a video on her, thanks for the info. Amazing work!

[@bruiseyis]

Amazing story! Thank you for this.

[@T3ki1a_]

There's an old paddle boat in Bangladesh in "daily" service I believe she is 90y' old you should look her up. If you really need help I think I might still have a picture of her

[@T3ki1a_]

The name of the boat I'm told is PS Lepcha 1938

[@T3ki1a_]

Turns out there's three others. PS Ostrich PS Tern And PS Mashud which is not operational right now

[@connorredshaw7994]

What a amazing sight to see all these decades later still being used and hopefully will continue to sail for many more years to come great video Tom Lynskey well done 👍

[@newbatgirl]

Terrific video, Tom and team. I had no idea there were LST’s from this era left in service. Pretty amazing.

[@mrsaturngamingandstories]

Now where is the MV Cape Henlopen

[@812guitars]

Wow I'm stunned! Living in Greenwich hopping into Long Island can be a 45 minutes an hour drive. But there are certain areas of way far away but I considered taking ferry. But now knowing that there's a vintage world war II landing craft servicing that route,now I just got to go! I'm happy to hear an old boat was given a chance to prove her worth on multiple occasions.

[@jamesanderson3160]

Tom thank you for sharing this incredible story. Now I have something else to add to my bucket list! So cool to see that the old girl still has plenty of life left! As always you make my Saturday mornings brother. Keep up the good work!

[@rafidkarim4061]

She is a beautiful ship thanks Tom Lynsky

[@SeriosProductions]

Yay! A ship that's not a wreck!

[@cliffmoher1096]

I saw her last summer while my wife and I were on a different vessel doing a lighthouse tour of the Sound. Our tour guide told us some of the Henlopen’s proud history as it sailed past us. A former USN sailor myself, I determined right there and then to sail her this summer!

[@lancepenny6145]

I've been aboard 100 times probably. I lived on the south fork, and would go to the north fork to Orient Point. So much better than I-95 North. Loved taking that trip. The ships vibration makes you fall asleep. Thanks Tom.

[@geckoguy4423]

Could you do another video on building the britannic from histobrick cause they updated the design!

[@thomasgatley624]

Amazing video! Maybe you could do a video on the TSS Earnslaw down here in New Zealand!

[@milesff7]

I watch her ply the waters of Long Island sound daily. She has become a high source of pride for those who work on her, and see her alike.

[@benwilson6145]

Its a comment on the state of US Shipbuilding that an 80 year old ship is still in use.

[@cclarke6]

When I make the crossing, I always try to schedule a trip on the M/V Cape Henlopen. Prior to its introduction to the fleet, there were three smaller WWII LSM ships: M/V Orient, M/V Plum Island, and M/V Gayhead.

[@benstrong4497]

What's the music in the background? I like it.

[@barneymm2204]

4:52 at the bottom of the video image.

[@NascarNick2488]

This is very interesting. I’m a Long Islander and I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve never even heard of this ship until I saw your video. I definitely gotta go see it!!!

[@vet-7174]

Good Channel, Watch often !Good Job n Vid

[@joshuacarnes5446]

Thank you so much for making this video. Our family takes the Cross Sound Ferry several times a year traveling between Vermont and Shelter Island. I've always had a special appreciation for the Cape Henlopen since I first boarded her back in 2011. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with my kids these days as well.

[@RamSkirata]

This was much more interesting then what anticipated clicking on the video. Its a seldom occurrence this was around.

[@StoriesFromMaine]

This has been my most favorite ferry ever. I have travelled the Sound on her decks over a few dozen times. Long live the 510! Fair winds and following seas, MV Cape Henlopen.

[@charaps2608]

Thank you for this. I have loved this ship for forty years -- as a child, as a woman, as a mother with my own children who love her too. I see no reason to believe any future grandchildren won't sail on her and love her as much as I do. Also, to anyone who makes the trip: DO. NOT. MISS. THAT. CRUMBCAKE.

[@theboogiestomperchannel6721]

Very good

[@ctradio4416]

I have images from 2020 when I was an Americorps member and convinced a friend to go to orient for the day just so we could ride the LST on d day

[@zworm2]

There is still LST 325, part of the LST memorial association. Still functional and restored.

[@txdxrx92]

I worked for CSF for a good stint. The cape is a pretty interesting boat although there's not much of the original design left. Pretty much from the vehicle deck up it has been completely changed only retaining it's original outer skin. CSF also operates a shipyard and a few years ago replated a significant amount of the hull. They've also added an Omni thruster to the bow for increased menuverability. I've heard the engineers and guys from the shipyard talk about how everything under the vehicle deck is pretty much as it was in WW2. I worked mostly on the MV New London and Sea Jet but always thought the Cape was the coolest boat in the fleet.

[@mrxcaliber4320]

Absolutely incredible! Would you be interested in giving your opinion on recent events covering the recent plans made by RMS Titanic, inc. to "surgically remove" the roof of the Marconi wireless room to retrieve the radio Jack Phillips used to send out Titanic's final distress messages?

[@BostonIce37]

Among my family’s greatest vacation adventures was our visit to Boston, Mystic, and San Diego harbors to go aboard the old sail ships. In San Diego there was some special gathering (I don’t remember what it was celebrating ) which resulted in many of the old sail ships, that were still seaworthy, coming from all over to dock in the harbor It was amazing.

[@flyin4352]

What a testament to her original constructors and the quality of upkeep she's been given since! For a ship most likely created with no intention of lasting beyond the War, 80 years is astounding.

[@kellyblack4897]

What a testament to her craftsmanship and crews. You know they have to literally love her for this to happen. Amazing!

[@babyswheels54]

I was unaware of her history as I took her a few times from Orient, NY to Groton, CT on the Cross Sound Ferry. Interesting video. Thank you.

[@ausnorman8050]

Very cool history. Thanks :) *also noticed 1k subs in 36hrs, hope it keeps growing.

[@supertoasting1011]

Great video. I think you need to get on the Astoria/Stockholm somehow next!

[@raitchison]

Love how the numbers 510 are still painted on her bow.

[@fishbakes895]

I’ve been aboard her a couple times and it’s a nice experience

[@kittybitts567]

Thank you so much, Tom and Emma, for this lovely video! It's heartening to see this majestic boat still in service with such an honorable history!