The CAROL JEAN Turns 40!
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Block Island Ferry’s own CAROL JEAN. Beginning service in 1984, the CAROL JEAN has been a mainstay for decades, proudly serving the residents of Block Island and visitors from the mainland. She led the way for the modernization of the Interstate Navigation fleet and helped evolve the Block Island tourism industry.
Beginnings
Up until the early 80s, Interstate Navigation’s fleet were comprised of ships that, had been older steamboats which had been retrofitted with diesel engines. While these ships were workhorses, their size and capacity were lacking. John H. Wronowski, owner of Interstate Navigation, knew he needed to address the needs of the passengers and start moving Block Island Ferry into the future.
Wronowski had worked with Boston-based naval architect John Gilbert to design and build the NELSECO in New London years before. He approached him again with a quick sketch he came up with: a ship that had the graceful lines of the NELSECO at the bow and a series of catwalks like the MANISEE towards the stern. Gilbert took Wrononski’s drawing and produced the blueprints of what would become the CAROL JEAN.
Creation and Christening
Interstate Navigation’s fleet at the time had always been built at John Wronowski’sshipyard in Connecticut. For the CAROL JEAN, however, the company would break tradition and send the boat to Panama City, FL to be constructed.
In many ways, this new ship would be a vast improvement compared to the company’s current boats. This new vessel would be much bigger than the other ships. Along with the ability to carry 1,300 passengers, it could also carry many more cars as well as two tractor trailers at the same time. The newer, faster engines would be able to reduce the travel time. Also, the modernized decks would be much more comfortable for passengers.
Once it was completed, it made the trip up the coast to New England. When the new vessel came into New London, the façade was pretty bare-bones. Most of the ship was only primed in tones of black, white, and beige. The one glaring piece that was missing was Interstate Navigation’s well-known blue flag painted on the funnel. John enlisted his 12-year-old grandson, Josh, to do the honors and paint the company’s flags on both sides of the smokestack. (It should be noted, however, that the quality was, let’s say, less than stellar and they were painted over and replaced in the winter of 1985.)
Finally, it came down to John to christen the ship. Under Wronowski, the Block Island Ferry had always been a family business. So, when he named the ship, he decided to honor his daughter, Carol Jean Wronowski.
The Island Boat Through the Years
Ever since the CAROL JEAN first came on in 1984, she has always been the boat stationed on Block Island. From April through October, she spends the night on the island and is the first boat to mainland. If the residents are going off island first thing in the morning, they’ll be taking the CAROL JEAN. It is considered the Island Boat.
But the CAROL JEAN has not always been regulated to just Block Island. In 1986, during the Centennial of the Stature of Liberty, John Wronowski charted quite a few of the fleet’sships during Liberty Weekend on New York Harbor. While the MV BLOCK ISLAND would host the “MTV Liberty or Death Party Barge” with ZZ Top, the CAROL JEAN was a bit more subdued. Guests were entertained by comedian George Burns with music by Johnny Carson’s bandleader, Doc Severinsen.
Over the years, the older ships have been retired and newer ships, like the high-speed ferries, have been added to the fleet. Structurally, the CAROL JEAN is the same boat as she was in the 80s but she has been given some updates to evolve with the times. In 2004 she returned to Panama City for a midlife refit. Interstate Navigation refurbished the passenger cabin and repowered the vessel with much larger engines (from 1500 horsepower up to 3600 horsepower). In 2019, her engines were replaced again to give her a little more power. The difference this time was that the new engines were cleaner and EPA compliant, making the CAROL JEAN more eco-friendly with reducing admissions.
Legacy
What ever happened to the 12-year-old boy who painted the original flags on her funnel? Joshua Linda is currently the vice president of Interstate Navigation proving the Block Island Ferry is truly a family business.
The CAROL JEAN’s naval architect, John Gilbert passed away many years ago. However, Interstate Navigation still works with his son at Gilbert Associates on various updates to the fleet.
Carol Jean Wronowski, the namesake of the ship, passed away in June of this year. She will always be remembered each time the CAROL JEAN sails away off into those blue waters.
The CAROL JEAN has a wonderful and storied history. The ship is still an important piece of Interstate Navigation’s fleet to this day and, although she is 40 years old, improvements over the years has allowed her to keep up with company’s other ships. The CAROL JEAN is still going strong, and we look forward to seeing what her role with the Block Island Ferry will be in the future!
Happy Anniversary & Sail Away…
