Would you believe that the South Ferry—the line that transports summer tourists and island locals alike to large wave beaches, towns, and much more—started as a small vessel rowed by a man and his two sons? Regardless of if you do or not, the simple fact is this: it’s true. In the early 19th century, farmer Samuel Clark arrived on Shelter Island with his sons, deciding to support his farming with a small ferry company, rowing islanders across to North Haven (then named Hog Neck). Clark’s sons continued the business in his stead, and soon a row boat became a sailboat, a sailboat became the first ever gasoline-powered ship in the surrounding vicinity. Although they were clearly doing a wonderful job, ferrying wasn’t the only thing the Clarks did, committed as well to netting, fishing, farming, and more. According to descendant Donald Clark, it wasn’t until World War II that the Clarks fully dedicated themselves to the ferry business, becoming what one could call masters. However, the endeavor wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Clarks: since the very beginning, they met competition with another ferrying family known as the Tyndalls. While it seemed that both had support from the populace, the Tyndalls suddenly resigned from the field, possibly after the daunting release of the Clark’s gasoline-engine Reba. Soon after, the Clarks were interrupted once again by Dan Conklin, who it seemed would throw a wrench in the Clark’s ferrying… until attention was brought to Conklin’s disruptive behaviors, and he was out of their hair. The Clarks had an open sea before them, and they continued to navigate it well; Over the years, the Clarks have shaped the South Ferry Company that islanders know fondly, continuing to be a crucial part of it to this day.