A cable ferry (including the terms chain ferry, swing ferry, floating bridge, or punt) is a ferry that is guided (and in many cases propelled) across a river or large body of water by cables connected to both shores. Early cable ferries often used either rope or steel chains, with the latter resulting in the alternate name of chain ferry. Both of these were largely replaced by wire cable by the late 19th century.
There are three types of cable ferry: the reaction ferry, which uses the power of the river to tack across the current; the powered cable ferry, which uses an engine or electric motors (e.g., the Canby Ferry) to wind itself across; and the fast-disappearing hand-operated type, such as the Stratford-upon-Avon Chain Ferry in the UK and the Saugatuck Chain Ferry in Michigan, USA.
Powered cable ferries use powered cogs or drums on board the vessel to pull itself along by the cables. The cables or chains have a considerable amount of slack built into them, in order to sink below the surface as the ferry moves away, allowing other vessels to pass without becoming grounded, snared or trapped. Where a ferry carries both passengers and vehicles the car deck occupies the centre (helping to balance the vessel) and two passenger areas are at the sides, over the tunnels for the chains and the engines. As the ferry cannot steer a ramp is built at both ends, and there is usually a set of controls facing in either direction.
Cable ferries are common where there is little other water-borne traffic that could get snagged in the cable or chains, where the water may be too shallow for other options, or where the river current is too strong to permit the safe crossing of a ferry not attached to the shore. Alignment of the platform at each end of the journey is automatic and, especially for vehicle ferries, safer than a free-moving ferry might be in bad conditions.
A special type are electrically powered overhead-wire ferries like Straussee Ferry, which have an onboard propulsion unit and can float free, but are connected to the overhead wire for power supply, using an electrical cable that slides along the wire as the ferry moves.
Cable ferries have probably been used to cross rivers and similar bodies of water since before recorded history. Examples of ferry routes using this technology date back to the 13th century (Hampton Ferry in England).
In the early 1900s a cable ferry designed by Canadian engineer William Pitt was installed on the Kennebecasis River near Saint John, New Brunswick in Canada. There are now eight cable ferries along the Saint John River system in southern New Brunswick. In Canada a cable ferry is proposed to transport automobiles across the Ottawa River in Ontario. There are several in British Columbia: two on the Fraser, one at Lytton, one at Big Bar, three on Arrow Lakes. A suspended cable ferry worked until the 1980s in Boston Bar. A small seasonal reaction ferry carries cars across the Rivière des Prairies from Laval, Quebec (Sainte-Dorothée neighbourhood) to Île Bizard (part of Montreal).
Cable ferries were particularly prominent in early transportation in the Sacramento Delta of California. Dozens of cable ferries operated on the Columbia River in the US northwest, and most have been rendered obsolete by bridges. A suspended cable ferry for railway cars crossed the American River in Northern California.
Most of the road crossings of the Murray River in South Australia are cable ferries operated by the state government using diesel engines. The platforms at the ends can be moved up or down according to the water level. At one time, cable ferries were a primary means of automobile transportation in New South Wales in Australia. In Tasmania, for a century before 1934, the Risdon Punt at Hobart was the only fixed method of crossing the Derwent River within Hobart city limits.
In the fishing village of Tai O on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, the Tai O Ferry (橫水渡) crossed the Tai O River before a bascule bridge was built.
The earliest punts were privately owned by local landowners, and charged a toll. As governments started to build roads, they started to build and operate punts as required. Private punts might be bought out, or made to impose more standard tolls.
Hazards and incidents
Mannam punt torn by broken cable, and cast adrift.Blanchetown punt out of use due to low water level in river.Duplicated punts can be provided if capacity of one is not enough. Twin ferries allow one to operate while the other is being maintained.
Current cable ferries include:
Butrint Ferry, across the Vivari Channel near ButrintBerowra Waters Ferry, at Berowra Waters in New South WalesBlanchetown PuntCadell Ferry, across the Murray River at Cadell, South AustraliaDaintree River Ferry, across the Daintree River in QueenslandHibbard Ferry, across the Hastings River near Port Macquarie, New South WalesLawrence Ferry, across the Clarence River in New South WalesLower Portland Ferry, across the Hawkesbury River near the village of Lower Portland, New South WalesLyrup Ferry, across the Murray River at Lyrup, South AustraliaMannum Ferry, across the Murray River at Mannum, South Australia (two parallel ferries)Moggill Ferry, across the Brisbane River near Ipswich, QueenslandMorgan Ferry, across the Murray River in Morgan, South AustraliaMortlake Ferry, across the Parramatta River in Sydney, New South WalesNarrung Ferry, across the Murray River at Narrung, South AustraliaNoosa River Ferry, across the Noosa River in QueenslandPurnong Ferry, across the Murray River in Purnong, South AustraliaRaymond Island Ferry, from Paynesville to Raymond Island in VictoriaSackville Ferry, across the Hawkesbury River near the village of Sackville, New South WalesSettlement Point Ferry, across the Hastings River near Port Macquarie, New South WalesSpeewa Ferry, across the Murray River between New South Wales and Victoria at SpeewaSwan Reach Ferry, across the Murray River in Swan Reach, South AustraliaTailem Bend Ferry, across the Murray River in Tailem Bend, South AustraliaUlmarra Ferry, across the Clarence River in New South WalesWaikerie Ferry, across the Murray River in Waikerie, South AustraliaWalker Flat Ferry, across the Murray River in Walker Flat, South AustraliaWebbs Creek Ferry, across the Hawkesbury River in the village of Wisemans Ferry, New South WalesWellington Ferry, across the Murray River in Wellington, South AustraliaWisemans Ferry, across the Hawkesbury River in the village of Wisemans Ferry, New South WalesWymah Ferry, across the Murray River between New South Wales and VictoriaRollfähre Klosterneuburg, across the Danube River at KlosterneuburgDrahtseilbrücke Ottensheim, across the Danube River at OttensheimXunantunich Ferry, across the Mopan River at XunantunichAbitibi River Ferry, across the Abitibi River near Cochrane, OntarioAdams Lake Cable Ferry, across Adams Lake in British ColumbiaBaynes Sound Connector, saltwater ferry across Baynes Sound in British Columbia. The longest cable ferry in the world as the time of its opening.Belleisle Bay Ferry, across Belleisle Bay in New BrunswickBig Bar Ferry, across the Fraser River at Big Bar, British ColumbiaBleriot Ferry, across the Red Deer River near Drumheller, AlbertaClarkboro Ferry, across the South Saskatchewan River near Saskatoon, SaskatchewanCountry Harbour Ferry, across Country Harbour near Port Bickerton, Nova Scotia.Crowfoot Ferry, across the Bow River in AlbertaEnglishtown Ferry, across the mouth of St. Anns Bay in Nova ScotiaEstuary Ferry, across the South Saskatchewan River near Estuary, SaskatchewanEvandale Ferry, across the Saint John River in New BrunswickFinnegan Ferry, across the Red Deer River in AlbertaGagetown Ferry, across the Saint John River in New BrunswickGlade Cable Ferry, across the Kootenay River in British ColumbiaGondola Point Ferry, across the Kennebecasis River in New BrunswickHampstead Ferry, across the Saint John River in New BrunswickHarrop Ferry, across the Kootenay River in British ColumbiaKennebecasis Island Ferry, across the Kennebecasis River in New BrunswickKlondyke Ferry, across the Athabasca River in AlbertaLaHave Cable Ferry, across the LaHave River in Nova ScotiaLancer Ferry, across the South Saskatchewan River near Lancer, SaskatchewanLaval-sur-le-Lac Île-Bizard Ferry, across the Rivière des Prairies near Montreal, QuebecLemsford Ferry, across the South Saskatchewan River near Lemsford, SaskatchewanLittle Fort Ferry, across the North Thompson River in British ColumbiaLittle Narrows Cable Ferry, across the Little Narrows of Whycocomagh Bay in Nova ScotiaLow Bar Ferry, across the Fraser River at High Bar, British ColumbiaLytton Ferry, across the Fraser River at Lytton, British ColumbiaMcLure Ferry, across the North Thompson River in British ColumbiaNeedles Cable Ferry, across Lower Arrow Lake in British ColumbiaQuyon Ferry, across Ottawa River between Fitzroy Harbour ON & Quyon, QCRiverhurst Ferry, across Lake Diefenbaker, SaskatchewanRosevear Ferry, across the McLeod River near Edson, AlbertaUsk Ferry, across the Skeena River in Usk, British ColumbiaWestfield Ferry, across the Saint John River in New BrunswickMedsave Ferry, across the Sava River in Zagrebačka županija, overhead cableDolní Žleb Ferry, reactive ferry across the Elbe at Dolní Žleb near Děčín, lower cableVrané nad Vltavou – Strnady, reactive ferry across the Vltava before Prague, with overhead cableKlecánky – Roztoky ferry over the Vltava under Prague, secured by overhead cableMáslovice, Dol - Libčice ferry over the Vltava under Prague, secured by lower cableLužec nad Vltavou ferry over the Vltava, secured by overhead cableZlenice - Senohraby swimpool, ferry over the Sázava river, overhead security cable installed but usually unusedOseček ferry, Elbe river, formerly secured by overhead cable, now without itKazín ferry, Berounka river, 1992–2007 propulsed through lower chain, since 2015 unsecured boatNadryby ferry, Berounka river, secured by the overhead cableDarová ferry, Berounka river, propulsed through the overhead cableØstre Ferry, across Isefjord between Hammer Bakke and Orø. Uses cables for steering, but propellers for propulsion.Udbyhøj Ferry, across Randers Fjord.Kavastu Ferry, across Emajõgi in Kavastu.Finland
Ahvionsaari Ferry, from Kiviapaja to Ahvionsaari in SavonlinnaAlassalmi Ferry, across Alassalmi strait on lake Oulujärvi between Manamansalo island and mainlandArvinsalmi Ferry, across Arvinsalmi strait between the municipalities of Rääkkylä and LiperiBarösund Ferry, across Barösund strait between Barölandet and Orslandet islandsBergö Ferry, in BergöEskilsö FerryFöri in TurkuHanhivirta Ferry, in EnonkoskiHirvisalmi Ferry, across Hirvisalmi strait between the mainland and Paalasmaa island in JuukaHämmärönsalmi Ferry, across Hämmärönsalmi strait (Rimito-Hanka) in Rimito, Nådendal (part of r. road 1890)Högsar Ferry, between Högsar and Storlandet islands in Nagu, Väståboland (part of r. road 12019)Karhun Cable Ferry, between the mainland and the island of Karhu, IiKeistiö Ferry, between Keistiö and Iniö islands in Iniö, VäståbolandKietävälänvirta Ferry, between Partalansaari and Viljakansaari in Puumala (part of road 15176)Koivukanta Ferry, to Kesamonsaari in SavonlinnaKokonsaari Ferry, from Kesamonsaari to Kokonsaari in SavanlinnaKivimo Ferry, between Roslax on mainland Houtskär and Kivimo islands in Houtskär, VäståbolandKokkila Ferry, between Kokkila on the mainland and Angelniemi on Kemiö island (part of r. road 1835)Kuparonvirta Ferry, between Hirvensalo and Anttola in Mikkeli (part of road 15147)Kyläniemi Ferry, between Utula and KyläniemiLövö Ferry, between Kasnäs and Lövö islands in Hitis, Kimitoön (part of r. road 1830)Mossala Ferry, between Björkö and Mossala islands in Houtskär, Väståboland (part of regional road 12003)Pellinki Ferry, between the mainland and the island of PellinkiPettu Ferry, between Pettu and Utö islands in Finby, SaloPikkarala Ferry, across Oulujoki river in Pikkarala, OuluPotkusalmi Ferry, to Ritosaari in SavonlinnaPuutossalmi Ferry, in KuopioRongonsalmi Ferry, between Viljakansaari and Lieviskä in Puumala, (part of road 15170)Saverkeit Ferry, between mainland Houtskär and Västra Saverkeit islands in Houtskär, Väståboland (part of r. road 12005)Skagen Ferry, between Jumo and Iniö islands in Iniö, Väståboland (part of r. road 12230)Skåldö Ferry, between Degerö and Skåldö islands in Ekenäs, RaseborgTappuvirta Ferry, TappuvirrantieTuohisaari Ferry, from Liistonsaari to Tuohisaari in SavonlinnaVartsala Ferry, between Vartsala and Kivimaa islands in Kustavi (part of r. road 192)Vekaransalmi Ferry, between Säviönsaari and Vekaransaari in Sulkava (part of road 438)Vånö Ferry, between Vånö and Attu islands in Pargas, Väståboland (part of r. road 12027)Åland
Björkölinjen, across Björkösund strait between the islands of Korsö (in Kumlinge municipality) and Bockholm (in Brändö m.)Embarsundlinjen, across Embarsund strait in Föglö municipality, between the islands of Finholma and JyddöTöftölinjen, across Prästösund strait between the islands of Töftö (in Vårdö municipality) and Prästö (in Sund m.)Seglingelinjen, across the strait between the islands of Seglinge and Snäckö (both in Seglinge village in Kumlinge municipality)Simskälalinjen, across the strait between the islands of Alören and Östra Simskäla (both in Vårdö municipality)Ängsösundlinjen, across Ängösund strait between the islands of Lumparland (in Lumparland municipality) and Ängö (in Vårdö m.)Bac du Sauvage Ferry, across a branch of the Rhône in the CamargueAken Ferry, across the Elbe at Aken in Saxony-AnhaltBarby Ferry, across the Elbe at Barby in Saxony-AnhaltCaputh Ferry, across the Havel at Caputh in BrandenburgCoswig Ferry, across the Elbe at Coswig in Saxony-AnhaltFerchland Grieben Ferry, across the Elbe between Ferchland and Grieben in Saxony-AnhaltKetzin Cable Ferry, across the Havel at Ketzin in BrandenburgKiewitt Ferry, across the Havel at Potsdam in BrandenburgMaintal–Dörnigheim Ferry, across the Main near Maintal in HesseFriesenheimer Insel – Sandhofen Ferry, across an old arm of the Rhine in MannheimPritzerbe Ferry, across the Havel between Havelsee and Kützkow in BrandenburgRathen Ferry, across the Elbe at Rathen in SaxonyRäbel Ferry, across the Elbe between Räbel and Havelberg in Saxony-AnhaltRothenburg Ferry, across the Saale at Rothenburg in Saxony-AnhaltSandau Ferry, across the Elbe at Sandau in Saxony-AnhaltStraussee Ferry, across the Straussee at Strausberg in BrandenburgTeterower See Ferry, to an island in the Teterower See in Mecklenburg-VorpommernVeckerhagen Ferry, across the Weser between Veckerhagen in Hesse and Hemeln in Lower SaxonyWesterhüsen Ferry, across the Elbe at Magdeburg in Saxony-AnhaltGräpel Cable Ferry, across the Oste at Gräpel in Lower SaxonyNam Sang Wai Ferry, at Nam Sang Wai in northwestern New TerritoriesOne cable ferry across the Danube between Csepel and Soroksár, in BudapestTwo cable ferries across the port of Cesenatico, in RomagnaFerry across Shire River, 37 km south of Malawi's southernmost borderNetherlands
There are more than 100 cable ferries in the Netherlands, 11 of which use a floating cable with a single anchorage. The larger ones are usually powered by a diesel-powered screw propellor, the smaller ones often use the cable for propulsion. Most of the larger cable ferries angle themselves in the stream to gain part of their propulsion from the current, as a reaction ferry.
Some examples:
Cuijk ferry, across the Meuse at CuijkGenemuiden ferry, across the Zwarte Water at GenemuidenJonen ferry, across the Walengracht at Jonen, only taking foot passengers and cyclists, winched to the other bank by an electric motor on one of the banks.Lexkesveer, across the Nederrijn near Wageningen, first mentioned in 1426Oijen Ferry, across the Meuse at OijenWijhe Ferry, across the IJssel at WijheWijk bij Duurstede ferry, across the Lek. This one uses a floating cable.Fjone ferry, across lake Nisser in Nissedal, TelemarkEspevær Ferry, in Bømlo, HordalandDuesund–Masfjordnes, in NordhordlandMjånes-Hisarøy, in Gulen, Sogn og FjordaneNew Zealand
Tuapeka Mouth Ferry, in Tuapeka – South Island, on the Clutha RiverPoland
Biechowy Ferry, across the Warta between Biechowy and PierskBorusowa Ferry, across the Vistula between Borusowa and Nowy Korczyn road no. 973Brody Ferry, across the Oder at Brody road no. 280Brzeg Dolny Ferry, across the Oder between Brzeg Dolny and GłoskaCiszyca Ferry, across the Vistula between Tarnobrzeg and Ciszyca road no. 758Czchów Ferry, across the Dunajec between Czchów and Piaski DrużkówCzeszewo Ferry, across the Warta at CzeszewoDębno Ferry, across the Warta between Dębno and OrzechowoGniew Ferry, across the Vistula between Gniew and Janowo road no. 510Grzegorzowice Ferry, across the Oder between Grzerorzowice and Ciechowice road no. 421Janowiec Ferry, across the Vistula between Kazimierz Dolny and JanowiecKorzeniewo Ferry, across the Vistula between Korzeniewo and Opalenie road no. 232Kozubów Ferry, across the Warta between Kozubów and OsinaKrzemienna Ferry, across the San between Krzemienna and Jabłonica RuskaMilsko Ferry, across the Oder between Milsko and Przewóz road no. 282Nozdrzec Ferry, across the San between Nozdrzec and Dąbrówka StarzeńskaOpatowiec Ferry, across the Vistula between Opatowiec and Ujście JezuickieOtfinów Ferry, across the Dunajec between Otfinów and Pasieka OtfinowskaPogorzelica Ferry, across the Warta between Pogorzelica and Nowa Wieś PodgórnaPołaniec Ferry, across the Vistula between Połaniec and Gliny MałePołęcko Ferry, across the Oder between Połęcko and Chlebowo road no. 138Pomorsko Ferry, across the Oder at Pomorsko road no. 281Siedliszowice Ferry, across the Dunajec between Siedliszowice and WietrzychowiceSławsk Ferry, across the Warta between Sławsk and Węglewskie HolendryŚwiniary Ferry, across the Vistula between Baranów Sandomierski and Świniary road no. 872Waki Ferry, across the Warta at WakiPerec Ferry, across the Perec distributary of the river Hron, between Starý Tekov and Nový Tekov in Levice district - Foot ferry, came into use in the late 18th century and ceased operations in 2014, replaced by a bridge.Malgas Ferry, across the Breede River at Malgas, Western CapeAbai village ferry in SokchoPas de Barca Ferry, across the Ebro river, in Miravet, CataloniaAdelsön Ferry, in Lake Mälaren from Munsö to AdelsöAmmerö Ferry, in Ravunda Lake from Ammer to StavreArnö Ferry, in Lake Mälaren from Oknö to ArnöAvan Ferry, across Lule River from Avan to Norra SunderbynBoheden Ferry, across Djupträsket from Sandudden to BohedenBohus Malmön Ferry, from Malmön to RoparöbackenBojarkilen Ferry, across Bojarkilen in StrömstadBolmsö Ferry, across Lake Bolmen from Sunnaryd to BolmsöHamburgsund Ferry, across Hamburgsund from Hamburgsund to HamburgönHögmarsö Ferry, from Högmarsö to SvartnöHögsäter Ferry, across Byälven from Högsäter to FryxnäsIsö Ferry, across Storsjön from Isön to NorderönIvö Ferry, across Ivö Lake between Barum and Ivö IslandKostersundet Ferry, across Kostersundet from Nordkoster to SydkosterTorpön Ferry, across Lake Sommen from Torpön to BlåvikYtterö Ferry, from Ytterön to Yttre parkSwitzerland
Basel Ferries, four routes across the Rhine in the city of BaselButts Ferry, across the River Exe in Exeter, DevonCowes Floating Bridge, across the River Medina on the Isle of WightDartmouth Higher Ferry, across the River Dart in DevonHampton Ferry, across the River Avon near Evesham in WorcestershireHampton Loade Ferry, across the River Severn in ShropshireKing Harry Ferry, across the River Fal in CornwallReedham Ferry, across the River Yare in NorfolkSandbanks Ferry, across the entrance to Poole Harbour in DorsetStratford-upon-Avon Ferry, across the River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon in WarwickshireSymonds Yat in Herefordshire has two hand ("pull") cable ferry running across the River Wye. They enable foot passengers to cross the river, powered by ferrymen who pull the ferry across the river using an overhead cable. The Ferries are owned by 2 local pubs.Torpoint Ferry, across the River Tamar between Devon and CornwallTrowlock Island Ferry, to Trowlock Island in the River ThamesWindermere Ferry, across Windermere in CumbriaAkers Ferry, across the Current River near Salem in MissouriAvoca Island Ferry, across the intracoastal waterway to Avoca Island near Morgan City in LouisianaBemus-Point Stow Ferry, across Chautauqua Lake in New YorkBuena Vista Ferry, across the Willamette River in OregonCanby Ferry, across the Willamette River in OregonLos Ebanos Ferry, across the Rio Grande between Los Ebanos, Texas and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, TamaulipasElwell Ferry, across the Cape Fear River in North CarolinaFredericktown Ferry, across the Monongahela River in southwestern PennsylvaniaHatton Ferry, across the James River in VirginiaIronton Ferry, across an arm of Lake Charlevoix in MichiganJ-Mack Ferry, across an arm of the Sacramento River in CaliforniaMerrimac Ferry, across the Wisconsin River in WisconsinMerry Point Ferry, across the Corrotoman River in VirginiaParker's Ferry, across the Meherrin River in North CarolinaPrinceton Ferry, across the Sacramento River in CaliforniaSans Souci Ferry, across the Cashie River in North CarolinaSaugatuck Ferry, across the Kalamazoo River in MichiganSunnybank Ferry, across the Little Wicomico River in VirginiaSycamore Island Ferry, across the Potomac River in MarylandTiconderoga Ferry, across Lake Champlain between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, VermontUpper Ferry, across the Wicomico River in MarylandValley View Ferry, across the Kentucky River in KentuckyWheatland Ferry, across the Willamette River in OregonWhite's Ferry, across the Potomac River in MarylandWhitehaven Ferry, across the Wicomico River at Whitehaven, MarylandWoodland Ferry, across the Nanticoke River in DelawareChambeshi Ferry, across the Chambeshi River near MbesumaKabompo Ferry, across the Kabompo River 80 km south-east of KabompoKafue Ferry, across the Kafue River 4.5 km west of the ZambeziEkusileni Ferry, across the Insiza River downstream of Filabusi
