Itchen ferry
Encyclopedia
The Itchen Ferry is a type of small gaff rig
cutter
that was originally used for fishing in the Solent
and surrounding waters and often raced in town regattas. Whilst there is no evidence to suggest one way or another, it has been said that the boats were also used to carry passengers across the River Itchen
between Woolston and Southampton
, prior to 1836.
Some of the original boats are still afloat today. These include:
The hamlet
where the fishing boats originated was also named Itchen Ferry village
.
The term "Itchen ferry" was also used to describe the Floating Bridge
when it was introduced in 1836, to meet greater demand as Woolston expanded and became busier with the coming of the railways. The new type of Itchen ferry made the old boats redundant. Though they continued to be used for fishing, they were no longer required for ferrying passengers.
The Floating Bridge across the Itchen retained the name "Itchen ferry" for some time, but this evolved into "Woolston ferry" after Itchen Ferry village was destroyed in World War II
.
The ferry was replaced by the Itchen Bridge
in 1977.
The hull design of the original Itchen Ferry boats was used by Drummond Bayne (Marine) Ltd, Southampton, to produce popular small yachts (approximately 22 and 25 feet overall) also known as an Itchen Ferry. Although production of these boats appears limited to the 1970s several of these practical craft remain in use.
Gaff rig
Gaff rig is a sailing rig in which the sail is four-cornered, fore-and-aft rigged, controlled at its peak and, usually, its entire head by a spar called the gaff...
cutter
Cutter
A cutter may refer to several types of nautical vessels. When used in the context of sailing vessels, a cutter is a small single-masted boat, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often a bowsprit. The cutter features a mast set farther back than on a sloop...
that was originally used for fishing in the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
and surrounding waters and often raced in town regattas. Whilst there is no evidence to suggest one way or another, it has been said that the boats were also used to carry passengers across the River Itchen
River Itchen, Hampshire
The River Itchen is a river in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river has a total length of , and is noted as one of England's - if not one of the World's - premier chalk streams for fly fishing,...
between Woolston and Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, prior to 1836.
Some of the original boats are still afloat today. These include:
The hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
where the fishing boats originated was also named Itchen Ferry village
Itchen Ferry village
Itchen Ferry village was a small hamlet on the East bank of the River Itchen in Hampshire. The village took its name from the small fishing boats that were also used to ferry foot passengers across the river...
.
The term "Itchen ferry" was also used to describe the Floating Bridge
Woolston ferry
The Woolston Floating Bridge, was a cable ferry that crossed the River Itchen in England between Woolston and Southampton from 23 November 1836 until 11 June 1977...
when it was introduced in 1836, to meet greater demand as Woolston expanded and became busier with the coming of the railways. The new type of Itchen ferry made the old boats redundant. Though they continued to be used for fishing, they were no longer required for ferrying passengers.
The Floating Bridge across the Itchen retained the name "Itchen ferry" for some time, but this evolved into "Woolston ferry" after Itchen Ferry village was destroyed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The ferry was replaced by the Itchen Bridge
Itchen Bridge
The Itchen Bridge is a bridge over the River Itchen in Southampton, Hampshire. It is a high-level hollow box girder bridge. It is located approximately 1 km from the river mouth. The bridge spans , is at its highest point and weighs 62,000 tons. It was officially opened July 13, 1977. At the...
in 1977.
The hull design of the original Itchen Ferry boats was used by Drummond Bayne (Marine) Ltd, Southampton, to produce popular small yachts (approximately 22 and 25 feet overall) also known as an Itchen Ferry. Although production of these boats appears limited to the 1970s several of these practical craft remain in use.