Ashley Pillar, ferry master on the Hatton Ferry, takes a photograph of the King family from Richmond. The family came down to Scottsville for the day just to ride the ferry, before its scheduled closing at the end of the month. PHOTOS BY SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Pole-propelled ferry may soon be history

Operator and fans of unique, historic Hatton Ferry hope it will survive budget storm

Date published: 6/16/2009

By Rob Hedelt

SCOTTSVILLE

His effort tightened one of two lines running from the deck of the massive Hatton Ferry to the heavy cable above spanning the brown, roiling waters of the James River.

Slowly, as the visiting Richmond youngster kept at it, the tightening line pulled the nose of the vehicle- and people-mover slightly upriver.

As if by magic, the floating silver-painted platform began to move ahead, the upriver surfaces of the craft that once served customers in Suffolk acting like a sail to generate forward motion.

"On a day like this, we'll make the crossing pretty easily in five minutes, and take just a little longer and a few pushes with the pole getting back," said ferry master Ashley Pillar.

The Scottsville resident added, "Later in the summer, when the water's down and slower, everything will take longer, 25 minutes or so on the return. And I'll spend more time pushing the ferry along with the pole."

Pillar and many who take joy in the history and unique nature of the Hatton Ferry near Scottsville hope there is a future for the VDOT-operated crossing that dates back to 1870.

The ferry--one of two pole-powered, public ferries still operating in the continental United States--is slated to be shut down later this month as part of a cost-cutting program VDOT has put in place to deal with falling revenues and rising costs.

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, county and Scottsville officials and fans of the ferry all over have protested the termination, and hope that some sort of arrangement can be made to save the oft-threatened ferry service.

As it is, the ferry has been operating on a schedule that services mainly customers who come for the ride on Saturdays and Sundays from April 15 to Oct. 15. Friday service was trimmed earlier this year.

The ferry that connects a landing in Albemarle County with one in Buckingham County is one of only a handful still operating in a state that once had some 140 ferries shuttling cars, wagons and livestock across various rivers, creeks and bays.

WHAT: One of two pole-powered ferries still operating in the continental United States WHERE: Near Scottsville, just south of Charlottesille, a 90-minute drive from Fredericksburg WHEN: Will operate at least through June 28 on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MORE INFO: For directions and other details, go online to hattonferry.org or call 434/296-1492.

Follow us on

Date published: 6/16/2009