LOOKING BACK

Young Chang

Very near the carousel and bumper cars at the Fun Zone in Newport

Beach, a different sort of ride has carried people of all ages and

generations from Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula since 1909.

About half of the Balboa Island Ferry’s passengers take the boats for

business -- to get from one point to the other. The other half do it to

enjoy the ride, said Seymour Beek, a local resident and president of the

ferry.

The service started in Newport Beach in 1909 with a small boat

offering only passenger service. In 1919, residents on the island lobbied

the city for better ferry service.

Joe Beek, Seymour Beek’s father, was the only bidder who also happened

to own a boat. The now-deceased Beek won a contract for $50 per month to

run the business.

For the first year, Joe Beek carried passengers from the island to the

peninsula on an outboard powered boat. After building ferry boats that

were big enough to carry one car, then two and eventually three, Beek

began transporting cars and bicycles too.

Ferry managers throughout the years have contributed to Newport

Beach’s history. Evan Jones, who worked for Joe Beek during the

Depression, is said to have once told Beek, “If you’ll just give me

enough money to eat, I’ll make it worth your while.”

“And he certainly did,” said Seymour Beek, who is a retired program

manager for Ford Aerospace. “He was a fabulous guy, and he was in charge

of building the three boats now operating, and the docks.”

Bob Snyder succeeded him, managing the ferry from 1969 to 1991, and

was also somewhat of a local celebrity.

“Everybody knew him,” Beek said. “He was a very popular boss.”

Today, three ferries run the short journey, and each of these boats --

named the Commodore, Admiral and Captain -- were built in the 1950s on

Balboa Island.

Each boat holds three cars and up to 100 people.

Seymour Beek and his brothers -- Allan and Barton -- grew up with the

business, operating the ferry during college and high school.

Allan Beek, a local environmentalist, still enjoys a crossing about

once a month.

“Often we just do it for a joy ride,” he said. “And we take visiting

friends.”

* Do you know of a person, place or event that deserves a historical

Look Back? Let us know. Contact Young Chang by fax at (949) 646-4170;

e-mail at [email protected]; or mail her at c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W.

Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.