LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The MBTA's ferry in Lynn, formerly The Schoodic Explorer was renamed after an important local civil rights leader.
The Lynn ferry was renamed to Frederick Douglass, who led the movement for African American civil rights in the 19th century and lived in Lynn, becoming an important figure in Lynn's history.
The name was chosen through a ferry-naming contest in which Elsa McKendall, a Lynn Middle Schooler, won with an essay about Douglass.
"As an American child I'm honored that Frederick Douglass was picked, he fought for the freedom and rights of African-Americans and women," McKendall said.
The ferry is one of many MBTA ferries that help connect Lynn and Boston by water, which gives commuters and visitors another way to get to and from the two cities.
Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll said this is the administration's goal.
"There are no potholes in the harbor, it is a great way to get to work, to go in to visit, to go to school and there is no better way to get into Boston than by a boat," Driscoll said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.