THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509150517
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SURRY LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
In the movie ``Pocahontas,'' the Indian maiden who made friends with Virginia's settlers sought guidance from Grandmother Willow, an ancient tree along the shores of the James River.
As a child, Shirley ``Little Dove'' Custalow McGowan, a descendant of Pocahontas, was counseled by her grandfather, Chief George ``Tesemuh'' Custalow, to go into the world and teach the proud heritage of her tribe - the Mattoponi, once part of the great Powhatan nation.
Thursday was one of McGowan's finest hours.
``I am so proud to be a part of this ceremony and so proud to be a Virginian,'' she said, standing aboard the Pocahontas, the newest addition to the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry Service.
The sleek, 263-foot vessel, commissioned Thursday, was named for McGowan's ancestor after passengers suggested it - ``to honor (Pocahontas') role as a `ferry' between Native and European Americans,'' as one of them wrote.
The $7.1 million ferry, which carries 70 vehicles, was built by Moss Point Marine in Escatawpa, Miss. It is powered by two 1,400-horsepower diesel engines and can make a 180-degree turn in a much smaller area than can the other three ferries in the fleet.
Jim Cleveland, acting Suffolk District administrator for the Virginia
Department of Transportation, called the Pocahontas ``an exceptional vessel.'' Transportation Commissioner David Gehr said the vessel is part of a commitment by the Commonwealth Transportation Board to make the James River ferry service more reliable and efficient.
Del. George Grayson, 97th District Democrat, saw the glistening, white ship as one more way of fulfilling his ``Ferries Forever'' campaign promise. ``Some said it wouldn't be possible to improve the ferry service, but many persevered, and we see the fruits of their labor today,'' he said.
McGowan, dressed in buckskin and with a feather in her dark hair, saw the commissioning as one more opportunity to teach.
``Pocahontas' people covered the entire coast of this land in 1607,'' she said. ``Pocahontas bridged the gap between the Powhatan people and the settlers. She maintained the integrity of her people throughout her short life.''
Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, was born in 1595 and grew up in the Jamestown area. She is best known for allegedly saving the life of Capt. John Smith, leader of the colonists.
McGowan lives on the Mattoponi reservation northeast of Richmond.
The newest Pocahontas is guided by the Voith-Schneider propulsion system, a design well-established in European ferryboats and growing in popularity in the United States.
Instead of a corkscrew propeller at each end of the hull, the Pocahontas has a wheel of five blades on each end that extend perpendicular to the boat toward the river bed. Adjusting the speed of rotation and the tilt of the blades provide more control of the vessel and better maneuverability. And it will make the Pocahontas much safer, especially during inclement weather.
The 1,272-ton vessel's larger size will leave fewer passengers on the docks, Cleveland said, an important element in customer satisfaction.
Just before the crew guided the ship on a ride to show off to dignitaries, Cleveland said he thought it was appropriate that the new ferry was commissioned during this year of the 400th anniversary of Pocahontas' birth and the release of the Disney movie.
He admitted, however, that the movie wasn't necessarily accurate on either Pocahontas' life or the landscape of eastern Virginia.
``I've been in the area since 1969, and I still haven't seen a cliff or a waterfall,'' Cleveland said, laughing.
Still, the movie heightened excitement about the new ferry.
For ferry information and schedules, call 1-800-VA-FERRY (823-3779).
The Pocahontas will begin regular runs early today. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Staff
``I am so proud to be a part of this ceremony. . . ,'' Shirley
``Little Dove'' Custalow McGowan, a descendant of Pocahontas, said
Thursday at the commissioning of a ferryboat named for the Native
American maiden.
For ferry information and schedules, call 1-800-VA-FERRY
(823-3779).
by CNB