The ferry W. Stanford White went aground on a shoal in the Hatteras Inlet.  The ferry with 40 passengers and six crew were heading for Ocracoke when the current pulled the vessel on to the shoal.  The master of the ferry attempted to pull off the shoal, but the ebb tide kept pushing the vessel back.  The master waited a few hours when the tide changed and the vessel was able to free itself and proceed back to Hatteras.   No reports of injuries or damage.   The Coast Guard was notified of the incident and the ferry was inspected.   Reports state the area has experience shoaling since Hurricane Irene.