The Bethel Courier
Volume 3, No. 2 (June
1979)
Crossing by Ferry on the Androscoggin
by Frank
Worcester
West
Bethel Ferry, Androscoggin River, circa 1910
The
ferryboat was retained in its proper position on the
river by means of a large steel cable suspended across the river from
two large
double poles on each side. On the ferryman's home side the cable
was
run down
through a windlass between the two poles which allowed for adjustment
of the cable to the rise and fall of the
river level.
A two-wheel cable trolley was connected to each end of the boat by a
heavy rope
which ran from the center of each trolley down through a single pulley
block
which was firmly attached to the deck level and from there rose to and
was
wound around the rope crank shaft which was positioned on the rail for
comfortable operation. This allowed the ferryman to position the
boat on an
angle to the river flow causing the boat to be propelled across the
river. The wedge
shaped stream forced or squeezed the boat through the water with the
boat
angled upstream to the direction traveled. On each upstream end
of
the boat
were two heavy sideboards which by means of levers could be lowered
further
into the water to increase the water pressure against the boat sides
thus
giving further momentum to its speed. Across each end of the boat
were large
aprons which could be lowered for on and off traffic. In later
years
some of
the ferries used four cylinder car engines suspended on the upriver
side of the
boats on channel and angle iron brackets. They had reversible
propellers. The
aid they could have given to the boats' operation was many times offset
with
frequent engine failure.
Hi,
friend and reader, would you like to be the ferryman
and take the boat across? Fine. I
will
show you the way. Well now, you have a customer and he or she is
driving a
wagon with a load of hay. First place the trig blocks such that
the
wagon's
weight will be centered on the ferry. Now place your canthook
into the
ground
through the apron notch and signal your man (or woman) to drive on
slowly and
carefully. That was easy. Now place the trig blocks against
his back
wheels,
and put bar in place at each end. Next, unwind rope on the shore
end
enough so
that it will drift downstream when leaving. Now lift the apron
beam and make
sure the holding dog is in place. Step onto the shore and with
your
canthook
pry the boat out into the stream. Move back onto the boat
quickly, drop
your
canthook and run to the other end of the boat, then lift the sideboard
and
quickly wind that end of the boat to angle it upstream. Had you
left the
sideboard down catching the current, your task of winding the boat
upstream
could have been difficult. You can lower your sideboards on both
ends
and you
now have your boat moving toward the other shore. You now have
time to
pick up
your canthook, place it against the
rail, and visit with your customer or collect the ferry fee. Soon
the
other
shore approaches and you must guide the boat to its landing.
First lift
the
sideboard--it might touch bottom--then release the cranklock and wind
or unwind
it as needed to bring the apron to the wheel tracks on this
shore. Well
done;
perfect landing. Remove the trig block and bar, then drive your
canthook deep
into the mud by the apron notch, hold on tight, and caution the driver
to start
up slow and easy. All goes well and you were a successful
ferryman!
Friend, it
is
now time to reverse the
operations for the return to your home shore and I hope you are
enjoying the
experience as many have here in the foothills of the White Mountains
and the
beautiful Androscoggin River Valley with the pleasant memories of
the river
ferries. Take with you the quiet sound of water rippling by the
boat;
the canthook
hitting the deck; running feet to the other end of the boat and the
gentle
sounds made by the cable trolleys as they make their uneven
journey across
with us. There blows the ferry horn (another memory), back on the shore
we have
left, and I must answer the call as soon as you land on your side of the
shore.
You
have just made a journey back into the 1800s, through the 1920s,
30s, 40s,
and into the edge of the 50s, and you are about to step back onto the
shore of
almost the 1980s. Pleasant memories to you. Thank you for
coming
back with me
into the past--and please come again!
