Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Reaction ferry
A reaction ferry is a ferry that uses the current of the river to propel the vessel across the river.
The ferry consists of 2 steel pontoons with a wooden deck bridging them. They are designed to operate in rivers with strong currents. These vessels require overhead cables suspended from towers anchored on either bank of the river. A "traveller", is installed on the cable and the ferry is attached to the traveller by a bridle cable. To operate the ferry the bridle cable is adjusted so that the pontoons are angled into the current causing the force of the current to move ferry across the river. These ferries generally carry 2-4 cars.
At one time there were over 30 reaction ferries in the rivers of British Columbia, primarily on the Fraser River and the Thompson River. There are now only a few that continue to operate.
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