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Cowes
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Cowes on the Isle of Wight, showing the piers, ferries and floating bridge.
Cowes Floating Bridge:-
There have been eight floating bridges at Cowes, built in 1859, 1882, 1896, 1909, 1925, 1936, 1952 and 1975. For many years two floating bridges were maintained simultaneously, with the second (and older) bridge used during overhauls of the main bridge. In recent years only one bridge has been owned, with a foot passenger ferry used during overhauls. The first bridge was owned by the Floating Bridge Company. The 1882 and 1896 bridges were owned by the Steam Packet Company. Subsequent bridges were ordered by the local council, who numbered them 1 to 5, so the current bridge No.5 is the 8th bridge on the route.
A rowing boat ferry had existed for many years at the narrow point of the River Medina, which devides East and West Cowes on the Isle of Wight.From 1720 to 1859, the ferry rights were owned by the Roberton family. From 1842, a pontoon had been used to to transport carts, animals etc, the pontoon being winched across under horse power. A horse powered winch was used at the ferry reapir yard until 1973.
In 1859 the Floating Bridge Company was formed and bought the ferry rights. The first steam ferry was built by a Mr Hodgkinson on the River Itchen at Southampton, and service started 24th November 1859.
In 1868, the ferry was bought by the Steam Packet Company (later part of
Red Funnel
). They bought a new ferry in 1882 from Napier & Son of Southampton. In 1902 the bridge received a new boiler by Whites of Cowes. This bridge was sold for scrap in 1909, acting as spare bridge from 1896. However the boiler was transferred to the 1896 ferry before disposal.
The 1896 bridge was the first built by Whites of Cowes. In 1909 she received the newer boiler from the 1882 ferry which was being withdrawn.
In 1901 the West and East Cowes Urban Councils took over the ferry. The Urban Council ordered a new ferry from Whites in 1909 (and the 1882 ferry was sold). The new bridge was built of steel, had power ramps and electric lighting. As the first Council-owned bridge, it was named
Bridge No.1
, ignoring the three previous bridges (including the 1896 bridge still in service as a spare). The condition of the old 1896 bridge deteriorated during the First World War, and was used for only two weeks a year.
The 1925
Bridge No.2
was built by Whites, and was the last steam bridge. She was over 100 feet long and could carry up to eight cars. During the Second World War she spent some time on the
Sandbanks Ferry
.
Bridge No.2
was then sold for use at
Sandbanks
as spare ferry in 1952 when
Bridge No.4
arrived. In 1926 the Council purchased a new yard for use as a mainenance slip. The yard was sold in 1981, and the 1983 ferry refit was done in Poole. However, the new owners of the yard have did subsequent overhauls.
The 1936
Bridge No.3
was the first to be diesel-electric powered. All machinery was located below the car deck level, releasiing more space for passengers. She was again built by Whites of Cowes.
Bridge No.4
was built by
J.Bolson
of Poole. She entered service in 1952 and could carry 12 cars. She was withdrawn in 1982 when
Bridge No.5
was dekivered, leaving no reserve bridge for the first time in many years. Since 1992, foot passengers have travelled for free.
The current (2007)
Bridge No.5
was built by Fairey Marine (East Cowes) in 1995. It is diesel-hydraulic powered and can carry 19 cars. As the sole ferry on the route, she overtook the working days of all prevous bridges within 10 years.
Sections on this Page:-
Cowes Floating Bridge
Cowes West Pier
Floating Bridges on this Page:-
Floating Bridge Company - 1859
Steam Packet Company - 1882
Steam Packet Company - 1896
Bridge No.1 - 1909
Bridge No.2 - 1925
Bridge No.3 - 1936
Bridge No.4 - 1952
Bridge No.5 - 1975
Associated Pages:-
Red Funnel Ferries
Isle of Wight Piers
Isle of Wight Photo Diary
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards
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References:-
Dicovering the Floating Bridge at Cowes by Sarah Burdett - Island Books 1995
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Cowes Floating Bridge
Floating Bridge Company - 1859
In 1859 the Floating Bridge Company was formed and bought the ferry rights. The first steam ferry was built by a Mr Hodgkinson on the River Itchen at Southampton, and service started 24th November 1859.
Steam Packet Company - 1882-1909
In 1868, the ferry was bought by the Steam Packet Company (later part of
Red Funnel
). They bought a new ferry in 1882 from Napier & Son of Southampton. This bridge was sold for scrap in 1909, acting as spare bridge from 1896 when a new bridge was built.
Postcard of the 1882 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Steam Packet Company - 1896-c1925
The 1896 bridge was the first built by Whites of Cowes. In 1909 she received the newer boiler from the 1882 ferry which was being withdrawn. The ferry was sold to yacht builder Uffa Fox around 1925, who used it as both workshop and house.
Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
Variation on the card above
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Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Pamlin postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Pamlin postcard of the 1896 Cowes Floating Bridge
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Bridge No.1 - 1909-1936
In 1901 the West and East Cowes Urban Councils took over the ferry. The Urban Council ordered a new ferry from Whites in 1909 (and the 1882 ferry was sold). The new bridge was built of steel, had power ramps and electric lighting. As the first Council-owned bridge, it was named Bridge No.1, ignoring the three previous bridges (including the 1896 bridge still in service as a spare). The condition of the old 1896 bridge deteriorated during the First World War, and was used for only two weeks a year. The bridge was sold in 1936.
Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
Alternative copy of card above
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
Different copy of the card above
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.1 of 1909
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Bridge No.2 - 1925-1952
The 1925
Bridge No.2
was built by Whites, and was the last steam bridge. She was over 100 feet long and could carry up to eight cars. During the Second World War she spent some time on the
Sandbanks Ferry
.
Bridge No.2
was then sold for use at
Sandbanks
as spare ferry in 1952 when
Bridge No.4
arrived.
Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.2 of 1925
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Ferry No.2 at Sandbanks - the only image I have found at Sandbanks so far
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Bridge No.3 - 1936
The 1936
Bridge No.3
was the first to be diesel-electric powered. All machinery was located below the car deck level, releasiing more space for passengers. She was again built by Whites of Cowes.
E.A.Sweetman postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.3 of 1936
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E.A.Sweetman postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.3 of 1936
A different copy of the card above
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.3 of 1936
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Photo of the Cowes floating Bridge No.3 of 1936
Horse-powered winch manoeuvring the ferry onto the maintenance slip - in use until 1973
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Bridge No.4 - 1952
Bridge No.4
was built by
J.Bolson
of Poole. She entered service in 1952 and could carry 12 cars. She was withdrawn in 1982 when
Bridge No.5
was dekivered, leaving no reserve bridge for the first time in many years. Since 1992, foot passengers have travelled for free.
Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.4 of 1952
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G.Dean & Co Bay Series postcard D828 of the Cowes floating Bridge No.4 of 1952
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G.Dean & Co Bay Series postcard D828 of the Cowes floating Bridge No.4 of 1952
Different image to same serial number above
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Postcard of the Cowes floating Bridge No.4 of 1952
Channel Islands ferry