Unusual Paddle RO-RO Ferry

[Bob Golder]

Hi All.  Eddy's quest for a suitable ro-ro paddle ferry led me to find the attached photo of the Upper Dart Ferry at Dartmouth, England.  It is Deisel powered and is guided by running along twin cables which sink to the river bed to allow passage of other vessels.  It would make a useful model at a reasonable scale although guidance by cable would be difficult - but not impossible!  A challenge perhaps?  Does anyone know if it is still in use?

[AlistairD]

It is still in use, but is due to be  replaced by a new non-paddle, ferry in the next year or two
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 Alistair
 

  ----- Original Message -----
   From:    Bob Golder (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   To: research@paddleducks.co.uk (research@paddleducks.co.uk)
   Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2006 7:31    PM
   Subject: Unusual Paddle RO-RO Ferry
   

   
Hi All. Eddy's quest for a suitable ro-ro paddle ferry    led me to find the attached photo of the Upper Dart Ferry at Dartmouth,    England. It is Deisel powered and is guided by running along twin cables which    sink to the river bed to allow passage of other vessels. It would make a    useful model at a reasonable scale although guidance by cable would be    difficult - but not impossible! A challenge perhaps? Does anyone know if it is    still in use?


     
Cheers from Bob Golder


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[Barrie]

It looks very similar to this one taken in the Camargue earlier this year - I think I already posted it somewhere on this site.

Barrie

[Channel]

Here is the Dart Higher Ferry operating just before Christmas - note tree and lights !

Wouldn't it be great to see the Kingswear Castle spend a few weeks here one season . . . .

[Bob Golder]

I quite agree!  It would be great for KC to run a few weeks in her home waters.   It would no doubt make a dent in the local proprietor's sailings though so they would probably object.  I suspect also that the positionong costs ate either end of such a project would be prohibitive.

When I win the lottery, I intend to charter KC, invite Paddleduckers and fellow enthusiasts to sail on her in the Dart and, of course, Walter, Eddy and I would seek to sail on both positioning cruises .  If John Megoran is reading this, a generous donation would also be made to KC's maintenance fund John.

Well !!    I can dream can't I!! :wink:

[Bob Golder]

I quite agree!  It would be great for KC to run a few weeks in her home waters.   It would no doubt make a dent in the local proprietor's sailings though so they would probably object.  I suspect also that the positionong costs ate either end of such a project would be prohibitive.

When I win the lottery, I intend to charter KC, invite Paddleduckers and fellow enthusiasts to sail on her in the Dart and, of course, Walter, Eddy and I would seek to sail on both positioning cruises .  If John Megoran is reading this, a generous donation would also be made to KC's maintenance fund John.

Well !!    I can dream can't I!! :wink:

[Channel]

Hi Bob,

Maybe it could be possible to do a deal with the main passenger boat operator in the area. They also own the steam railway. It would be great to see her at home !

I'm sure the chance for steam buffs (ie us!) to take a trip on steam train then cruise on a steam ship would give a good bost to their passenger numbers! In fact it could be possible to go steam all the way from Bristol to Kingswear to join the steamer as they run steam train tours there in the summer with the Great Westerns finest engine King Edward I.

I'm saving my lottery win to save the Compton Castle from captavity in Truro and refurbish her to operate on the Fal . . . . . going to need a roll over !  :lol:

Chris

[Channel]

It would probably cost 8-10 k GBP to tow Kingswear Castle each way to Dartmouth. Given a good spell of force 4 weather it could be done safely. With her fordeck now being more 'sea proof' I don't think she'd be in any danger . . .

Not sure if a tow would work out cheaper than steaming ??

Chris