In message <000001c2dc41$1dec3700$014cfc3e@DennisDurrant>,
[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> writes
> There is a point on the river Yare at Gorleston were there is
> purported to have been a "horse ferry". Some argue it was where
> horses were hired to cross the river and so remain dry. I believe
> it was more likely a raft type of ferry powered by horses on either
> bank pulling it back and forth. Although the the river which is
> tidal, may in earlier times before there was a river wall, been
> sufficiently shallow at low tide at this point, I don't think it
> would be feasable at any time other than the bottom of the tide.
Horse ferries were used on the Thames until just before WW2 at Purley to
allow barge horses to cross to the other bank at Purley and return to
the south bank at Tilehurst.
The barges were linked to either bank by a chain system and on each
barge was a windlass which wound the barge from bank to bank. They could
also be wound in from either bank so it did not matter which side the
barge was left.
I have a picture of it in operation if you are interested.
regards
John Chapman
>
> Please can somebody give me information on "Horse ferries" and how
> they were operated?
--
John M Chapman
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