“My father came home from the war, World War II, and he and some other fellows got together and bought the rights. And in 1972 when I came home from the service [in the Army], they asked me to get involved with it and run it. I really didn’t want to, but I agreed to do it for a year. And it got busier and busier,” said Brown.
As the business grew, so did the boat. The Browns' first ferry carried three cars. That was replaced by a steel boat for 15 cars, and later came the current 24-car vessel pulled by a cable.
The only ferry operating on the Potomac River is popular among the region's commuters.
“It is a lot less traffic, it is a lot less headache. I use it every day. I take it on the way to work. I have been doing it for about eight years now,” says commuter Bob Batcher.
Another commuter, Kimberly Kempa, says, “It is certainly much quicker to get where I need to go. And also it is a lovely ride.”
They say the short ride - $5 one way or $8 round trip - is worth it.
David Pierce Jr. and three other licensed captains shuttle the passengers in shifts from 5 o’clock in the morning to 11 at night, year round.
“Wish it was a longer ride, not three and a-half minutes. It takes really a multi-task. we have to look at the river, land, the boat and collect [money] all at the same time before we get to the other side,” said Pierce.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25