We have visited Dartmouth several times, and from there have taken the ferry to/from Kingswear. The "lower ferry" at Dartmouth has been running since the 1700's, and is fascinating both to watch from the shore, and to cross over by. Basically, it consists of a floating platform which is pushed and pulled along by tugs. When leaving the slipway, the tug goes astern (good nautical phrase eh?!!) whilst pulling the ferry along ......
casts off, swings round .....
then ties up and starts pushing it (so for part of the crossing, the ferry is effectively drifting on it's own!).
In the middle of this, the tug driver leaves the tug moving on its own (i.e. nobody driving it!) and hops onto the ferry to collect money from the passengers, before returning to continue the journey ...
Meanwhile, the other ferry on the other side is doing the same, and they cross in the middle!!
Dartmouth is one of our favourite places, we have been there by bus - (double-decker, sitting on the top at the front of course, like children!!) The bus route goes via Slapton sands, and the views are absolutely wonderful ...
then ties up and starts pushing it (so for part of the crossing, the ferry is effectively drifting on it's own!).
In the middle of this, the tug driver leaves the tug moving on its own (i.e. nobody driving it!) and hops onto the ferry to collect money from the passengers, before returning to continue the journey ...
Meanwhile, the other ferry on the other side is doing the same, and they cross in the middle!!
2 comments:
You make the place sound very romantic. I guess it probally is. :)
I would be even nicer if it had larger size photo in the post though. (Just my opinion)
That ship in the background is the small cruise Sip "Andrea"
I clicked on the picture and it
came out big ! nice !
Fascinating though....this could only
happen in England ..must get there next time.....Si xx
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