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River Dart Car Ferries
Dartmouth Higher & Lower Ferries
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Dartmouth Higher & Lower car ferries.
 
 
Sections on This Page:-
Dartmouth Lower Ferry
Dartmouth Higher Ferry
 
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Devon Excursion Ships & Ferries
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry
 
The Dartmouth Lower ferry runs from a slipway in Bayards Cove, Dartmouth, to a slipway adjacent to the Kingswear Railway ferry. Vehicles are now carried on pontoons which are propelled by tugs. The origins of the ferry are certainly as old as Dartmouth itself, and it was a monopoly as early as 1365. Horses and cattle were carried from early times. The rights to the ferry were obtained by the South Devon Railway in 1873, to prevent competition with their own steam ferry. They then leased its operation to local operators from 1877. The South Devon Railway became part of the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1898. The ferry was run by the Casey family for 50 years from 1897. The earliest powered boat on the service was the steam pinnace Forester. From about 1914, a more powerful tug Hauley was used, named after a local family. Rowboat ferries ceased in 1915 when the steam launch relief was acquired. The Casey's lease ran out in 1925, and the GWR sold the ferry rights to Dartmouth Council for a nominal sum. The new lessees of the ferry were partners Peters and Heselton, who bought the Hauley from Casey. Casey ran a rival passenger service for a couple of years in parallel.  Hauley was converted to a motor tug, and Hauley I and Hauley II were delivered in 1930 and 1932. In 1932 the lease was reassigned to the General Estates Company, who also ran the Hythe-Southampton ferry. General Estates acquired the new tug Hauley III in 1933. They surrendered the lease back to Dartmouth Council in 1946. Dartmouth Council reluctantly took over operation themselves, although it subsequently ran at a profit. The council also ran three passenger launches, Reliance, Perseverance and Newcomin, as retribution for the GWR ferry The Mew being converted to carry a few cars. When The Mew was withdrawn in 1957, the Council withdrew their three passenger ferries. Two new diesel tugs Hauley IV and Hauley V from Philips in 1965 and 1966. In 1974 the ownership passed to South Hams District Council after local government reorganisation. The 2007 ferry pontoons are named The Tom Avis (1994) and The Tom Casey (1989), and they are propelled by tugs Hauley IV, Hauley V and Hauley VI.
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry - launch of Float II.
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry - launch of Float III.
 
 
Postcard of Dartmouth Lower Ferry.
 
 
Postcard of Dartmouth Lower Ferry.
 
 
Postcard of Dartmouth Lower Ferry.
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John Hinde postcard of the Dartmouth Lower Ferry
1960s cars include the Austin A40 and Ford Anglia
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Dixon postcard of the Dartmouth Lower Ferry
1960s cars include the Austin A40 and Ford Anglia
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Dixon postcard of the Dartmouth Lower Ferry
1960s cars include the Austin A40 and Ford Anglia
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Dartmouth Lower Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Lower Ferry in August 2007.
Photo: © John Hendy
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Dartmouth Lower Ferry in August 2007.
Photo: © John Hendy
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Dartmouth Higher Ferry
 
The Dartmouth Higher ferry is the most recent of the various Dart ferries, being opened in 1831. It runs between Sandquay to Noss. The initial chain ferry, designed by J.M.Rendel, was not a success. However, Rendel later built a successful ferry for the Torpoint Ferry. The Dart ferry, meanwhile, had gone over to horse propulsion, using at least two horse-powered ferries until 1867, when a new steam-powered ferry was built. A new steam ferry was built in 1896, an iron-hulled vessel which could carry four vehicles which lasted until 1920. At this time a further new ferry was built, but using the engine from the 1896 vessel. Rather than a conventional chain ferry, where the engine pulls the ferry along the chains, the new vessel ran on wires for guidance but was powered by paddles. This ferry ran for 40 years. The current ferry was built in 1960, and its paddlewheels are diesel-electric powered. The ferry appears to have been painted grey, green, red and then blue (dated from the cars aboard). there are plans to replace the ferry with a new one, which would no longer be paddle-powered.
 
 
Postcard of the 1920 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
Looking very shabby - early post war?
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Postcard of the 1920 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
Typical 1950s Standard motor cars
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John Hinde postcard of the 1960 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
1960s cars include Austin A40, Hillman Imp and Rover 90
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NPO Dexter postcard of the 1960 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
1960s cars include the Morris 1100 and Fords Corsair, Cortina and the original (forgotten) Capri
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John Hinde postcard of the 1960 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
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Postcard of 1960 Dartmouth Higher Ferry
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Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in March 1997.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Dartmouth Higher Ferry in August 2007 - with modernised bridge.
Photo: © John Hendy
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Dartmouth Higher Ferry in August 2007.
Photo: © John Hendy
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