Mayor Adams Commissions Sandy Ground Staten Island Ferry Named For NY's First Free Black Community

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY: MAYOR ADAMS COMMISSIONS THE SANDY GROUND, STATEN ISLAND FERRY NAMED FOR NEW YORK’S FIRST FREE BLACK COMMUNITY

Nearly 200 Years Old and Among Nation’s First Free Black Settlements, Sandy Ground Served as Stop on Underground Railroad

Vessel is First Staten Island Ferry Honoring Staten Island’s Rich Black History

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today commissioned the Sandy Ground, a new Staten Island Ferry vessel named for New York’s first free Black community, which was settled in 1828 and served as a stop on the historic Underground Railroad. The Sandy Ground is the first Staten Island Ferry boat named to honor the rich history of Black New Yorkers living on Staten Island.

“I am honored to commission a new Staten Island Ferry named for a community of New Yorkers who represent the best of our city and our country,” said Mayor Adams. “The settlers of Sandy Ground were our ancestors, and they worked hard to build a vibrant community that became a safe haven for so many seeking freedom. This boat will forever be a testament to them, their legacy, and their contributions to the New York City we live in today.”

“As we pay tribute to a major part of New York’s history today during Black History Month, the Sandy Ground ferry will ensure that this community’s legacy continues to live on for future generations,” said Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We applaud our Ferries Division and everyone who played a role in naming the boat after this iconic settlement.”

“With the naming and dedication of the Sandy Ground, along with the adoption of the entire state-of-the-art Ollis-class fleet of ferries, which have received international acclaim, the New York City Department of Transportation not only honors the legacy of the diverse community that calls Staten Island home, but shows their passionate commitment to the safe and secure operation of the busiest ferry service in the country,” said Captain Zeita Merchant, commander, New York Sector, U.S. Coast Guard. “I am especially honored as the first African American captain of the Port of New York to soon sign the official certificate that will forever etch the Sandy Ground’s legacy in New York Harbor.”

Sandy Ground’s history as a free Black community date back nearly 200 years to 1828, when ferry boat operator Captain John Jackson became the first Black person to own property on Staten Island, buying in what is now the South Shore community of Rossville. Over time, Sandy Ground was settled by Black oystermen who fled Maryland’s more restrictive laws. New York’s booming oyster trade allowed residents there to own their own property, boats, and businesses.

Five structures in the Sandy Ground community were designated as New York City landmarks by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2011, including three residential structures, a cemetery, and the A.M.E. Zion Church, which served as a major stop on the Underground Railroad. A.M.E. Zion remains an active church today, with descendants of Sandy Ground settlers still worshipping there.

A state-of-the-art, $85 million, 4,500-person boat, the Sandy Ground is the second of three new ferries that will enter service this year, which are collectively known as the Ollis-class vessels. Together, the three boats represent a transformative upgrade for the nation’s busiest municipal ferry system; the three new ferries are larger, more modern, and better equipped for extreme weather than the existing fleet. They will feature popular design elements of past Staten Island ferries, phone charging outlets, and comfortable seating, as well as an oval upper-deck promenade that will, for the first time, serve as an outdoor “walking track” for riders.

The Sandy Ground is expected to be in service by this spring. The first boat in the class, the Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, took its inaugural ride earlier this month. The final Ollis-class ferry is expected to be commissioned later this year.

St. George Ferry Terminal, Slip 6

1 Bay Street

Staten Island

February 25, 2022