Nation’s last known hand-poled ferry stays afloat at least 3 more months on Va.’s James River

RICHMOND, Va. — The nation’s last known hand-poled ferry has gotten a reprieve to keep it afloat for three more months.

Virginia budget cuts could close nation’s last pole-driven ferry after more than 130 years

SCOTTSVILLE, Va. — For more than 130 years, ferrymen have jammed poles into the James River’s gravelly shallows to push the Hatton Ferry slowly across to other side.