I have a thing for ferry boats. A big thing for ferry boats.
And in my last trip to Dartmouth in South West Devon, the first thing I have spotted wasn’t the beautiful bay or many independent shops but the Dartmouth Lower Ferry itself.
The history of this very popular mean of transport that links Dartmouth to Kingswear starts in 1365 (yes, a long time ago) when it was only used to carry horses and carts across the River Dart.
By the 18th century, a second ferry was sailing from Hoodown on the Kingswear side, upstream from Waterhead Creek, which had an easier approach than the steep slipway in the village square
With the arrival of the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway in 1864 it started to be pulled by rowing cars. And since 1974, the Lower Ferry is operated by the South Hams District Council.
Nowadays the Lower Ferry is powered by tug boats and floats capable of carry 8 cars and 90 passengers.
More information go to http://www.southhams.gov.uk/DartmouthLowerFerry
