“The Skillipot Chain Ferry from Port Ewen to Rondout, N.Y.” Postcard circa 1907. On postcards there are different spelling for Skillipot/Skillypot. Postcards were often done by traveling salesmen and their knowledge of local sites and names were often incorrect.
Last Trip of the Skillypot
Summer 2026
Author Captain William Odell Benson was a life-long resident of Sleightsburgh, N.Y., where he was born on March 17, 1911, the son of the late Albert and Ida Olson Benson. He served as captain of Callanan Company tugs including Peter Callanan, and Callanan No. 1 and was an early member of the Hudson River Maritime Museum. He retained, and shared, lifelong memories of incidents and anecdotes along the Hudson River. If you enjoyed this story and would like to support more history content, please make a donation to the Hudson River Maritime Museum or become a member today! Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401 HRMM.org. The story is from 1972, with permission. Interview transcribed by Carl Mayer, HRMM volunteer.
Of all the steam propelled vessels that have floated upon the waters of Rondout Creek, probably the one that was best known locally in her day was the ungainly little ferry boat that used to cross the creek from the foot of Hasbrouck Avenue to Sleightsburgh. Known throughout the area as the “Skillypot,” she made her last trip from Rondout to 50 years ago yesterday […]
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