Ship Spotter Steve
  • Home
  • Bulk Carriers
  • Cement Carriers
  • Container Ships
  • Crude Oil Tankers
  • Cruise Ships
  • Dredgers
  • Ferries
  • Fishing Vessels
  • General Cargo Ships
  • Military & Law Enforcement
  • Off Shore Supply/Safety/Support
  • Pilot Vessels
  • Research Ships
  • Sailing Ships
  • Tankers
  • Tugs
  • Vehicle Carriers
  • Misc
  • Funnels
  • Work Boats
  • Pleasure Boats & Yachts
  • Tenders & Launches
  • Prints, Postcards & Paintings
  • Buildings, Monuments & Places
  • Yearly Statistics
  • Ship List
  • Links
  • Blog
  • Blog Index
Contact me

COWES CHAIN FERRY No.5 - 1975

24/11/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I took the above photograph on 2 November 2013 from the back of the Red Funnel Ferry just before we headed from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight back down the Solent to Southampton.

I have used the chain ferry many time to cross the tidal River Medina which separates Cowes and East Cowes. The ferry crosses the river about every 10 to 15 minutes running from very early in the morning until late at night.

The Chain Ferry operates between the East and West banks of the river by hauling on two chains, each approximately 165m long which span across the estuary and are permanently attached to both river banks.

It is the only way to cross the river without taking a ten mile journey upstream via Newport.

The first floating bridge between East Cowes and Cowes was established in 1859 and has been owned and operated by the Isle of Wight Council since 1909. The vessel in my photograph is the fifth vessel the Council have used and the eighth ferry to be used on this service, she was built in 1975 and can carry up to 20 cars. 

Before the chain ferries a rowing boat ferry operated across the river. This service was owned and operated by the Roberton family from 1720 to 1859. From 1842 animals and other large items were transported across using a pontoon which was winched across under horse power. 

In 1859 the Floating Bridge Company was formed which bought the ferry rights. 

In 1868 the ferry was bought by The Steam Packet Company who put a new ferry into service in 1882. This was used until 1896 when another vessel was acquired. 

When the route was taken over by the local authority in 1909 a new ferry was put into service named Bridge No.1, this vessel is noted as being significantly better than its predecessors being constructed from steel with powered ramps and electric lighting. 

In 1925 Bridge No.2 was built, this was the the last steam powered vessels and the largest ferry up to that point that had operated on the route being 30m long and able to carry eight cars. 

Bridge No.3 was built and arrived in 1936, this was the first diesel-electric powered vessel. 

Bridge No.4 entered service in 1952 with a capacity for 12 cars. This was used until 1975 when the current vessel - Bridge No.5 arrived with a capacity of up to 20 cars.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    My interest in ships and the sea started back in 2006 when I worked for a couple of years  on the banks of the River Mersey. I have since been on a couple of cruises around the Med and in the Far East and have started to take more interest in researching and photographing some of the ships and other vessels seen on my travels.

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.