I did a good bit of searching and can't find an answer.  This probably isn't
much help but I would venture that it was probably both.  Hobbes (His) Hole
was established in 1680 from the existing small town in 1680.  It was named
for the fact that it had a nearshore deep water anchorage.  Jefferson in his
"Notes on Virginia" also reported 4 fathoms depth at Hobbs Hole.  It was
also adjacent to Hoskins creek.  I think it was William Tatham (c.1800) who
reported most early tobacco commerce done by lighters (ususally
flat-bottomed scows) to ships anchored in deeper water.  The "hole" likely
make that place a desireable port for lighterage.  

By the early 18th century the location is alternately called Hobbs Hole and
Tappahannock when it is designated a tobacco inspection wharehouse.  This
suggests a higher rate of commerce.  The deep water would also allow direct
docking of seagoing vessels if there was a wharf. I conducted some map
research from sources on line
(http://alabamamaps.ua.edu/historicalmaps/us_states/virginia/index.html - is
a good one).  Couldn't find anything with enough detail to indicate wharves.
Some source indicate that there were wharves by the time of the Civil War. 

If you are looking for archaeological evidence for lighterage, I would
expect that would be hard to prove.  I would expect that untangling
different generations of wharves would require underwater archaeology and
sampling of the timbers for dendrochronology testing.
Regards,
Bruce Terrell

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