A coastal village scene with a sailboat by a calm harbor, small houses on a hill, people near the pier, and a gentle, pastel sky.

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A Waterfront With History

The Story of East Ferry Wharf and Conanicut Marina

For more than three centuries, the waterfront now occupied by Conanicut Marina has served as one of Jamestown's most important connections to Narragansett Bay. Long before modern marinas, recreational boating, or the construction of the Newport and Jamestown bridges, East Ferry Wharf was the primary gateway between Conanicut Island and the rest of Rhode Island.

The history of this shoreline mirrors the history of Jamestown itself, evolving from a colonial ferry landing into one of Narragansett Bay's most recognizable marina destinations.

EAST FERRY WHARF

Colonial Beginnings

Ferry service between Jamestown and Newport dates back to the early eighteenth century. By the 1720s, regular ferry operations were carrying residents, livestock, goods, mail, and travelers across the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

At the time, Conanicut Island was largely agricultural, and ferry transportation was essential to daily life. East Ferry quickly became the island's primary connection to Newport, then one of the busiest ports in colonial America.

For generations, nearly everyone arriving on or departing from Conanicut Island passed through this waterfront.

A coastal scene with small houses near a shore, a dock, sailboat on the water, people and horses along a road, and a calm seascape.

East Ferry During the Revolutionary Era

The strategic location of Conanicut Island placed East Ferry at the center of events during the American Revolution.

In December 1776, British forces occupied Newport and the surrounding islands, including Jamestown. The island remained under British control for several years, disrupting daily life and ferry operations throughout the region.

The East Ferry landing served as an important transportation and military access point due to its location between Newport and mainland Rhode Island. The occupation left lasting impacts on the island and its residents, many of whom fled during the conflict.

Following the war, ferry service resumed and East Ferry once again became the center of transportation and commerce for the community.

A small vintage steamboat with a tall smokestack, two decks, and a cabin; sits on calm water with flat shoreline in the distance.

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The Mayberry Family and the Ferry System

One of the most influential figures associated with East Ferry was Freeman Mayberry.

In 1802, Mayberry acquired the Jamestown ferry operation, including the wharves, ferry vessels, and supporting infrastructure on both sides of the bay. Under his ownership, East Ferry became part of a more organized transportation network linking Jamestown and Newport.

Throughout the nineteenth century, ferry service continued to expand as commerce, tourism, and seasonal travel increased throughout Narragansett Bay.

The Arrival of Steam Ferries

A major turning point occurred on May 12, 1873, when the steam ferry Jamestown began operating from East Ferry.

The introduction of steam-powered ferries transformed transportation between Jamestown and Newport. Ferry crossings became more reliable, more efficient, and less dependent on weather and sailing conditions.

The improved connection encouraged tourism and helped establish Jamestown as a popular summer destination during the late nineteenth century. Hotels, summer cottages, and waterfront businesses flourished as visitors increasingly traveled through East Ferry.

For many visitors, East Ferry Wharf became their first impression of Jamestown.

A partially built bridge over water with tall concrete piers, construction equipment, and a boat nearby, under clear skies.

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The Era Before the Bridges

Throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, East Ferry remained the lifeline of island transportation.

Residents depended on ferry service to reach schools, businesses, medical services, and transportation connections in Newport. Mail, freight, vehicles, and passengers all moved through the waterfront on a daily basis.

As automobiles became more common, ferry operations adapted to accommodate growing demand, and East Ferry continued to serve as the primary gateway to the island.

For nearly 250 years, the ferry system defined life in Jamestown.

A New Chapter for the Waterfront

The opening of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge in 1969 and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge in 1992 transformed transportation throughout the region.

With bridge access reducing dependence on ferry transportation, the East Ferry waterfront gradually evolved from a transportation hub into a center for recreational boating and waterfront activity.

As Narragansett Bay grew into one of New England's premier cruising destinations, the waterfront adapted to meet the needs of modern boaters.

A black-and-white seaside scene: a pier with a large boat, smaller boats, sailboats, a house/boathouse, and people strolling by the water.

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The Birth of Conanicut Marina

Over time, the historic East Ferry waterfront became home to Conanicut Marina.

While the vessels arriving at the docks changed from passenger ferries to recreational boats and cruising yachts, the purpose of the waterfront remained remarkably similar: connecting people to Narragansett Bay.

Today, Conanicut Marina offers more than 4,500 linear feet of dockage and approximately 150 moorings while continuing a maritime tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.

Located in the heart of downtown Jamestown, the marina remains one of the most active and recognizable waterfront destinations in Rhode Island.

Preserving a Maritime Legacy

Although the East Ferry waterfront has changed significantly over the centuries, its role within the community remains unchanged.

For generations, this shoreline has welcomed travelers, supported local commerce, connected communities, and provided access to the waters of Narragansett Bay.

Today, visitors arriving at Conanicut Marina stand on the same historic waterfront that once welcomed colonial ferries, steamships, merchants, island residents, and generations of travelers making their way across the bay.

The story of East Ferry Wharf continues to be written, carrying forward a maritime legacy that has shaped Jamestown for more than 300 years.

Discover the Waterfront Today

Whether you're arriving for an overnight stay, exploring the harbor, or learning about Jamestown's rich maritime history, Conanicut Marina offers a unique opportunity to experience a waterfront that has connected people to Narragansett Bay for centuries.

We invite you to visit, explore, and become part of the next chapter in the story of East Ferry Wharf.