grebeman
Old Codgers Group
- Name
- Barrie
With close to a SE gale blowing in from the sea the conditions for the Dartmouth Lower Ferry when landing on the Dartmouth side were very challenging today and the service was close to being suspended. There has been a ferry crossing here since the 1700's, today worked by a small pontoons capable of holding about 8 cars and driven by a tug lashed alongside. During the day both pontoons are in use passing one another mid stream, at quieter times just one is in use. The tugs are called Hauley IV and Hauley V named after the Hauley (or Hawley) family who first moved to Dartmouth from a nearby village in the 1300's. John Hawley was a member of parliament, a businessman and a privateer, in other words a pirate given royal approval.
Whilst it was sunny for a while following overnight rain, within two hours the rain had returned in torrential form and the streets were running with water.
The ferry approaches the slipway on the Dartmouth side having crossed the river from Kingswear
This is the gap that it is aiming for
Here is a ferry approaching the slipway. You can see why one or two vehicle owners decided not to risk the crossing and turned round when they saw the conditions
The view from the pontoon side with a couple of holidaymakers enjoying the spectacle
Whilst waiting for the vehicles to get off and the next lot to get on the tugs engine is kept full ahead to hold the pontoon against the slipway
Getting on and off was all about timing today
The skipper chats as he waits for the vehicles to get aboard
Having gone astern and cleared the slipway the tug, secured only by the head rope swings around to face the Kingswear side of the river
With a stern rope now also secured the tug starts off in earnest towards the Kingswear landing slipway
All shots with a Panasonic G1 and 14-45mm, f3.5-5.6 zoom.
Barrie
Whilst it was sunny for a while following overnight rain, within two hours the rain had returned in torrential form and the streets were running with water.
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The ferry approaches the slipway on the Dartmouth side having crossed the river from Kingswear
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
This is the gap that it is aiming for
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Here is a ferry approaching the slipway. You can see why one or two vehicle owners decided not to risk the crossing and turned round when they saw the conditions
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The view from the pontoon side with a couple of holidaymakers enjoying the spectacle
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Whilst waiting for the vehicles to get off and the next lot to get on the tugs engine is kept full ahead to hold the pontoon against the slipway
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Getting on and off was all about timing today
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The skipper chats as he waits for the vehicles to get aboard
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
Having gone astern and cleared the slipway the tug, secured only by the head rope swings around to face the Kingswear side of the river
Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
With a stern rope now also secured the tug starts off in earnest towards the Kingswear landing slipway
All shots with a Panasonic G1 and 14-45mm, f3.5-5.6 zoom.
Barrie