Image Gallery: A Trip On The Historic Glastonbury-To-Rocky Hill Ferry

GLASTONBURY/ROCKY HILL, CT — It was a bright sunny day Wednesday as Capt. Chris Egan was about to embark on a couple of journeys on the historic Glastonbury-to-Rocky Hill ferry.

A strong breeze could be felt on the Connecticut River, making navigation of the tug-and-tow ferry system a little tougher than normal. Nevertheless, he still called his job, "the best in the state."

Egan dropped off a sport utility vehicle and a compact car on the Glastonbury side and then went back to the Rocky Hill side to get a truck. It was back to Glastonbury to drop off the truck, pick up a van and take it to Rocky Hill.

Each crossing takes about 4 minutes with the "Cumberland," a small tug that had a complete overhaul over the winter and the "Hollister III" barge equipped to carry vehicles. The ferry is actually the continuation of state Route 160 between the two towns.

Egan said the new engine, shaft, propeller and steering have made the Cumberland feel like a new craft, a luxury considering the captains make 70 to 80 trips a day.

The ferry traditionally starts running on April 1, but high water levels delayed the season for about a month. The season runs until the fall.

The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry is the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service. The original ferry dates back to 1655. Back then, it was privately operated under a state services agreement and pushed across the river using long poles.

It was then powered by a horse on a treadmill in the center of the craft.

In 1876, state officials tell us, the ferry system was "modernized" with a steam-driven craft.

Today's vessel is a barge and tug.

The ferry is the continuation of state Route 160 between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.

Here's an up-close look at the ferry:

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