Chain Ferries
I am currently researching for a future book about all 17 of the British (steam & diesel)'floating-bridge' chain ferry operations since 1831 (only 7 locations now remain in service.) There have only been some 80 vessels of this type built throughout the country in 170 years. The pre-1850 vessels below were all designed by James Meadows Rendel as follows and I understand that Joseph Mare provided engines for a number of the vessels.
- Dartmouth floating bridge No1. built by Isaac Blackburn, Plymouth, 1831. (The first in the UK).
- Saltash floating bridge No1, built by Pope & Co, Turnchapel, 1832.
- Torpoint floating bridge No1, built by Richard Hocking, Devonport, 1834.
- Southampton floating bridge No1, built by Richard Hocking, Devonport, 1836.
- Torpoint floating bridge No2, built by Richard Hocking, Devonport, 1836.
- Portsmouth floating bridge No1. built by F W Acraman, Bristol, 1840.
- Portsmouth floating bridge No2. built by F W Acraman, Bristol, 1842.
- Saltash iron floating bridge No2, built by Plymouth Foundry Co., 1851.
- Saltash iron floating bridge No3, built by Plymouth Foundry Co., 1866.
- Torpoint floating bridge No3. unknown builder, 1871.
- Torpoint floating bridge No4. unknown builder, 1878.
- King Harry iron floating bridge No 1. built by Sara and Burgess, Penryn, 1889.
- Saltash floating bridge No4. built by Willoughby & Co., Millbay, 1891.
- Saltash floating bridge No5. built by Willoughby & Co., Millbay, 1911.
- King Harry floating bridge No2. built by Cox & Co, Falmouth, 1913.
Basically I am after any brief information on the histories of the builders mentioned, any register records regarding build costs or yard numbers of the vessels involved plus more importantly any archive images that could be considered, together with those I have already sourced, for publishing within the book. The builders of Torpoints 3rd and 4th floating bridges of 1871 and 1878 respectively are not recorded at present. Perhaps you have records locally?
I hope that your members may be able to assist with information or contacts regarding the steam floating bridges built in your area especially as those designed by J M Rendel were the first in the country.
Replies to: J E Harbidge-Rose
Email: hrjehrose@aol.com
From J.E. Harbidge-Rose
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Fraser Darrah
13/10/2006
The Windermere Chain Ferry is still in operation all the year around. Sadly as a diesel driven version. I remember I used to cross as a treat as a child and watch the steam engine puffing away, turning the chain winches.
You can watch it live thanks to the Freshwater Biological Association (at Ferry Nab) who have a webcam:
http://www.fba.org.uk/webcam01.html
ken Pavitt
12/7/2006
see www.solentwaters.co.uk/Medina%20Ships/Bygone for photos of Cowes Medina chain ferries
J E Harbidge-Rose
23/4/2006
thanks for all the comments chaps, the first book of the series 'FLOATING BRIDGES: An Illustrated History of Rope Ferries, Chain Ferries & Cable Ferries of the British Isles, Part One - Manually propelled ferries - South' in now in preparation with the publishers and due for release via BLACKDWARF LIGHTMOOR PRESS before the end of 2006.
Parts Two (Manually propelled North) and Three ( Mechanically Propelled)will follow thereafter....Cheers all.
Dave Rostron
6/12/2005
I will try again - the Yard No. of Drake is 903. It is a steel steam chain ferry of 70 grt. length 95 feetx30 feetx3.6 feet draught. 2 cylinder engine 6"x7".vertical boiler of 110 psi built at Lytham. The hull was transported to the BR slipway at Lakeside in 7 sections, 10-23/6/54 where it wasd completed on 12/7/54. It was towed up the lake the following day to its site & coupled up. The invoice price was £22500. It was withdrawn in 1990. The above details are from "A History of Shipbuilding at Lytham" by Jack M Dakres published by the World Ship Society in 1992.
Gary Hicks
26/11/2005
J.E. You say the first chain ferry was built by Isaac Blackburn. I have an interest in Blackburn and trying to establish that he returned to shipbuilding after his bankruptcy in 1814. Can you tell me the source of your information please?
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24/11/2005
For Dave Rostron,
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Dave Rostron
24/11/2005
I have tried to put a posting here,giving full techical details of the Windermere Chain Ferry, but the site would not let me as it said the posting was rude. I cannot understand how builders details of a ship are considered rude, but obviously your site thinks they are. Consequently I will not waste any more of my time in trying to find additional info on chain ferries for you.
Dave Rostron
8/9/2005
The chain ferry across Windermere is still running. It got a new vessel (builder unknown) a couple of years ago. The previous ferry was called "Drake", and was the last vessel built by Lytham Shipbuilding Ltd in 1954, before closed down.
james
9/12/2004
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wallsy/wallsy/ferry%20site/
nicholas welch
27/5/2004
I remember a cable ferry between Bowness-on-Windermere (actually a bit to the south) and the Lancashire side of Lake Windermere in the 1970's. I think it is still going.
Tony Hopkins
5/2/2004
Be sure to include in East Anglia the one from Southwold to Walberswick which ceased during the second world war and the one still active today at Reedham in Norfolk I sometimes sit in the car park south side watching people and vehicles going from side to side and the craft going up and down the river
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