Ferry, Shaldon

Image: © Derek Harper Taken: 4 Nov 2008

"The Teignmouth to Shaldon Ferry has a longer continuously recorded working history than any other in England. A ferry has crossed the Teign since the 10th Century. The Earl of Cornwall, who introduced tolls, took control of the ferry from the Saxons in the 11th century. In those days the ferry crossed from the Point to the Passage House Inn, which was situated between the present Shaldon House and the Ferry Boat Inn. By the end of the 13th century the ferry revenues were six shillings & eight pence per annum - about 33p in modern money excluding inflation. Then, in 1602, Queen Elizabeth I granted the Cecil family the right to run a ferry across the Teign. At that time the Teignmouth landing was further upstream than today; probably close to the Jolly Sailor Inn. In 1712 the ferry rights passed to Lord Clifford. Early in the 19th century the present black and white livery was adopted; this pattern emulated that of the Royal Navy's men of war and it no doubt explains why Napoleon was disinclined to invade Teignmouth. In 1824 the Teignmouth Bridge Company first leased the ferry for £150 per annum then, later that year, paid Lord Clifford £4000 to obtain the full rights. In 1827 a wooden bridge across the Teign was opened. After several partial collapses, the bridge was totally rebuilt in 1931. During those times the ferry would have been very busy, since it offered the only easy route across the Teign. It must also have been a tough task for the ferrymen who had to row across the river, unless the wind was set fair and the small sail could be raised. In 1908 ferry T&S2 was launched. She was built at the Cremel yard in Plymouth for £27.11s.3d. The larger of the two ferries T&S4 was built at Bulley's yard in Teignmouth in 1947. Both ferries are still running and research indicates that T&S2 is the oldest working ferry in England. In 1948 the ferry was purchased by Devon County Council for £3,000. On 13th October 1998 a new 20-year contract was awarded to Teign Ferry Ltd to continue running the service into the 21st century. ... Curly Westlake (like his father and grandfather before him) with Sammy Sampson, were both crew in the 1950's; John Heard in the 1970's.". http://www.teignferry.com/display/t&sferry2.htm See also Image and Image

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0