Reaction ferry
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A reaction ferry is a ferry that uses the current of the river to propel the vessel across the river.
The ferry generally consists of two pontoons with a deck bridging them. They operate faster and more effectively in rivers with strong currents. These vessels require overhead cables suspended from towers anchored on either bank of the river. A "traveller" is installed on the cable and the ferry is attached to the traveller by a bridle cable. To operate the ferry the bridle cable is adjusted so that the pontoons are angled into the current, causing the force of the current to move the ferry across the river. These ferries generally carry 2-4 cars.
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[edit] Operating Reaction Ferries
[edit] British Columbia
At one time there were over 30 reaction ferries in the rivers of British Columbia, primarily on the Fraser River and the Thompson River. There are now only a few that continue to operate, such as the one crossing the Skeena River at Usk, British Columbia.
[edit] Quebec
A small seasonal reaction ferry [1] carries cars, bicycles and pedestrians across the Rivière des Prairies from Laval, Quebec (Sainte-Dorothée neighbourhood) to Île Bizard (part of Montreal).
[edit] The Ozarks
Several reaction ferries operated on rivers in The Ozarks during the first half of the 20th century. Akers Ferry remains in operation on the Current River near Salem, Missouri.
[edit] Catalonia
The Pas de Barca Ferry on the Ebro river, in Miravet in the Catalonia region of Spain has been operating since the Middle Ages, and continues to use a traditional wooden ferry boat design.
[edit] Croatia
A number of reaction ferries operate on Croatian rivers of Sava and Drava.
[edit] Germany
A number of reaction ferries operate in Germany, with a particularly high number of them on the rivers Elbe and Weser. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, they were quite common on the Rhine as well.
[edit] Switzerland
A beautiful example of a current propelled ferry is in Basel in Switzerland [2]. There are 4 ferries at different points on the river.
[edit] United Kingdom
The Hampton Loade Ferry, which carries passengers only, crosses the River Severn at Hampton Loade, Shropshire. This is operated partly by the current and partly by punting.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Video of ferry crossing Sava River (Website in Croatian - right click + play on first picture)
- BC Ministry of Transportation Marine Division
- Picture of the ferry at Lytton across the Fraser River.
- History of current-powered Ferries in the Ozarks
- Catalonia historical and tourist information site
