Editing Reaction ferry

{{short description|Cable ferry that uses river current for propulsion}}
[[Image:St_Alban_reaction_ferry,_Basel,_Switzerland.jpg|right|thumb|550px|Reaction ferry crossing the Rhine at Basel, Switzerland]]
A '''reaction ferry''' is a [[cable ferry]] that uses the [[Reaction (physics)|reaction]] of the [[Current (stream)|current]] of a river against a fixed tether to propel the vessel across the water. Such ferries operate faster and more effectively in rivers with strong currents.

==Types and modes of operation==
Some reaction ferries operate using an overhead [[Wire rope|cable]] suspended from towers anchored on either bank of the river at right angles to the current flow. A "traveller" with pulleys runs along this cable and is attached to the ferry with a tether rope. This can divide into a two-part bridle which defines the angle of the ferry to the current. Sometimes two pulleys and tethers are used. Sometimes a single tether is attached to a bar that can be swung from one side of the ferry to the other. This type also uses a rudder in order to set the angle of the ferry to the current flow from zero - it is then stationary - to the best angle for maximal crossing speed. Ferries without a rudder change the relative lengths of the bridle or multiple tethers in order to steer. The lateral force of the current moves the ferry across the river.

A now rare type of reaction ferry uses a submerged cable lying on the bottom across a river or tidal water. This can be a wire rope or a chain and is pulled to the surface by the ferry or its operator. It passes through moveable pulleys or belaying points whose location sets the ferry's angle. In order to set off, manual work is required to initially pull the cable and also to manoeuvre, especially during the turning of the tide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Luckmann |first1=Detlev |title=Prahmfähre über die Oste, Baujahr 1911, Oberndorf |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/11533 |website=German National Library of Science and Technology (TIB) |publisher=Institut for the Scientific Film (IWF) (Göttingen) |language=German |format=Video 17 Min. with transcript and article |date=1974}}</ref>

The ferry may consist of a single hull, or two [[Pontoon (boat)|pontoons]] with a deck bridging them. Some ferries carry only passengers, whilst others carry road vehicles, with some examples carrying up to 12 cars.

==Physical explanation==
[[Image:ReactionFerryForceDiagram.svg|right|thumb|300 px|Force diagram of a reaction ferry with a traveller]]
A reaction ferry operates as a [[sailing]] craft where the traveller pulleys represent the wheels of a land yacht and the moving fluid is the water current rather than the wind. In the case of a reaction ferry with an anchored tether, the analogy can also be to a [[kite]]. In both cases the ferry's hull itself represents a sail and is angled to the apparent water current in order to generate lift in the same way a sail is set at an angle to the [[apparent wind]].

With an overhead cable stretched across a river at right angles to the current, the ferry is, in sailing terminology, [[Point of sail|sailing on a reach]] with the true current exactly at right angles to the direction of crossing. For the anchored-tether type ferry this is valid when the tether is parallel to the current, near the middle of crossing. In sailing, the speed is governed by the [[lift-to-drag ratio]]s (L/D) of the sail and the hull including centerboard or keel and rudder.<ref>Bruce, Edmond & Morss, Harry ''Design for Fast Sailing''. Amateur Yacht Research Society, 1976, pp. 92-117.</ref>

For reaction ferries, L/D ratios also apply except that one is very high, for example typically 30 for a traveller on a steel rope, as visible in aerial photographs, and the other can vary from low, e.g. 1-2 without a centerboard, to 3.5 with one.<ref name="Bruce" />

A diagram is shown which follows the standard force diagram for sailing.<ref name="Bruce">{{cite journal |last1=Bruce |first1=Edmond |title=The physics of sailing craft as revealed by measurements at full size |journal=A.Y.R.S. Publication |date=July 1962 |issue=40 |pages=23–55 |url=https://www.ayrs.org/repository/AYRS040.all_A5.pdf |access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Marchaj |first1=C. A. |title=Sailing Theory and Practice |date=1977 |publisher=Adlard Coles Limited |page=121}}</ref> It is drawn with a traveller L/D of only about 6 in order to make it clearer. The ferry L/D is drawn at 1.5. The lift L acts at right angles to the direction of the apparent current, the [[Euclidean vector#Addition and subtraction|vector sum]] of the true current and the current component due to the crossing speed. The drag D acts parallel to the apparent current. The vector sum of L and D is the resultant force R. This force can only exist because the tether exerts an opposed force of the same magnitude (see [[Newton's laws of motion]]), in this simplified two-dimensional projection of what is really a three-dimensional situation. R can be resolved in a drag component directly downstream and a component in the direction of crossing, the thrust T which drives the ferry. This is balanced by the opposing drag of the traveller pulleys. The amount of lift required is set by the angle of incidence of the ferry to the apparent current (here 10°), often done with a rudder (not shown).

In the figure the crossing speed is the same as the speed of the true current. With a centerboard or keel, the hull's L/D could increase several times. This would increase the crossing speed also several times, but according to the [[Drag (physics)#The drag equation|drag equation]] the forces increase with the square of the speed and put a great load particularly on the overhead cable. With the anchored-tether type ferry, such high speeds would be unobtainable because its tether drags in the water or is supported by buoys that do and this drag would also increase with the square of the speed.

==Worldwide usage==

===Austria===
* Ferry from [[Weißenkirchen in der Wachau]] to St. Lorenz across the [[Danube]]
* Ferry from [[Spitz an der Donau]] to Arnsdorf across the Danube
* Ferry from [[Ottensheim]] to [[Wilhering]] across the Danube
* Ferry from [[Korneuburg]] to [[Klosterneuburg]] across the Danube 12&nbsp;km north of [[Vienna]]
* Ferry from [[:de:Weitersfeld an der Mur|Weitersfeld an der Mur]] to [[Sladki Vrh]] ([[Slovenia]]) across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Murfähre - Thema auf meinbezirk.at |url=https://www.meinbezirk.at/tag/murf%C3%A4hre |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=MeinBezirk.at |language=de}}</ref> recognised as a border crossing

===Canada===
[[Image:Lytton Reaction Ferry.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Lytton Ferry]] across the [[Fraser River]] in [[British Columbia]], Canada, is a reaction ferry using an overhead cable and traveller, visible in the upper right corner.]]
At one time over 30 reaction ferries crossed the rivers of [[British Columbia]], primarily the [[Fraser River]] and the [[Thompson River]]. Those still operating include:
*[[Big Bar Ferry]], across the Fraser River at [[Big Bar, British Columbia|Big Bar]], British Columbia
*[[Little Fort Ferry]], across the Thompson River in British Columbia
*[[Lytton Ferry]], across the Fraser River at [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]], British Columbia
*[[McLure Ferry]], across the Thompson River in British Columbia
*[[Usk Ferry]], across the [[Skeena River]] in [[Usk, British Columbia|Usk]], British Columbia

In [[Quebec]], the small [[Laval-sur-le-Lac–Île-Bizard Ferry]] operates seasonally across the [[Rivière des Prairies]] from [[Laval-sur-le-Lac]] to the [[Île Bizard]].

===Croatia===
Reaction ferries cross the rivers [[Sava]] and [[Drava]].

===Czech Republic===
* [[Dolní Žleb Ferry]] crosses the [[Elbe]] at [[Dolní Žleb]] near [[Děčín]]. with lower (underwater) cable
* Vrané nad Vltavou – Strnady, Vltava river before Prague, with overhead cable

[[Image:Gierseilfähre Aken (Elbe).jpg|thumb|The Aken Ferry, Germany]]

===Germany===
A number of reaction ferries operate in Germany, particularly across the rivers [[Elbe]] and [[Weser]]. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, they were quite common on the [[Rhine]]. Currently operating ferries include:

*[[Aken Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Aken (Elbe)]] in [[Saxony-Anhalt]]
*[[Barby Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Barby, Germany|Barby]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Coswig Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Coswig, Anhalt|Coswig]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Rathen Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Rathen]] in [[Saxony]]
*[[Räbel Ferry]], across the Elbe between [[Räbel]] and [[Havelberg]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Rothenburg Ferry]], across the [[Saale]] at [[Rothenburg, Saxony-Anhalt|Rothenburg]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Sandau Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Sandau]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Belgern Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Belgern]] in Saxony
*[[Veckerhagen Ferry]], across the Weser between [[Veckerhagen]] in [[Hesse]] and [[Hemeln]] in [[Lower Saxony]]
*[[Westerhüsen Ferry]], across the Elbe at [[Magdeburg]] in Saxony-Anhalt
*[[Matting Ferry]], across the [[Danube]] at Matting in Bavaria (Near [[Regensburg]])
[[Image:Gierfähre Westerhüsen 20070909.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Westerhüsen Ferry]] across the [[Elbe]] in Germany is a reaction ferry using a floating cable attached to a mid-channel anchorage, to the right of the boat.]]

===Italy===
The {{interlanguage link|Traghetto di Leonardo|it}} is a historic reaction ferry across the [[Adda River]] at [[Imbersago]]. It is reputed to have been designed by [[Leonardo da Vinci]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |date=2023-04-23 |title=Leonardo’s Ferry Left High and Dry by Global Warming and Red Tape |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/23/world/europe/italy-climate-drought-da-vinci-ferry-imbersago.html |access-date=2023-04-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[Image:Traghetto di Leonardo - Il traghetto.jpg|thumb|right|Traghetto di Leonardo, Italy]]

===Lithuania===
[[File:Uperis, 2018-08-26.jpg|thumb|right|''Uperis'' - small river ferry in [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]]]
* {{interlanguage link|Padalių-Čiobiškio keltas|lt}} across the river [[Neris]], connecting [[Padaliai]] in [[Kaunas County]] with [[Čiobiškis]] in [[Vilnius County]]
* {{interlanguage link|Uperis|lt}} across the river [[Neris]], connecting [[Verkių parkas]] with the [[Valakampis]] district of [[Vilnius]], opened in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=UPERIS River crosser |url=http://uperis.lt/en/ |accessdate=4 May 2019}}</ref> See also [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLWqpAqdQKs]

===Netherlands===
* [[Culemborg]] ferry [https://veerpontculemborg.nl/geschiedenis/]
* Ferry service Doornenburg crossing the [[Pannerdens Kanaal]]

===New Zealand===
*[[Tuapeka Mouth Ferry]], in [[Tuapeka]] – [[South Island]], on the [[Clutha River]] [http://www.tuapekamouthferry.co.nz/Tuapeka-Mouth-Ferry/]

===Poland===
A number of reaction ferries operate:
[[File:Prom na Warcie w m. Czeszewo. Ferry in Czeszewo (Poland - Warta river) (2).JPG|thumb|Ferry in Czeszewo, Poland (Warta river)]]
[[File:Prom na Wiśle z Gniewu do Janowa. Ferry in Gniew (Poland, Vistula river) (1).jpg|thumb|Ferry in Gniew, Poland (Vistula river)]]
*[[Biechowy Ferry]], across the [[Warta]] between [[Biechowy]] and [[Piersk]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://maps.google.com/maps?q=52.2,18.433333&ll=52.215265,18.434951&spn=0.001818,0.003449&t=h&z=18 | title = Prom rzeczny (52.215265,18.434951) |trans-title=River ferry (52.215265,18.434951)| work = Google Maps | publisher = Google | accessdate = 2012-01-29}}</ref>
*[[Borusowa Ferry]], across the [[Vistula]] between [[Borusowa]] and [[Nowy Korczyn]] road no. 973<ref>{{cite web | url = https://maps.google.com/maps?q=50.283333,20.8&ll=50.290066,20.801754&spn=0.007581,0.013797&t=h&z=16 | title = Prom rzeczny (50.290066,20.801754) |trans-title=River ferry (50.290066,20.801754) | work = Google Maps | publisher = Google | accessdate = 2012-01-29}}</ref>
*[[Brody Ferry]], across the [[Oder]] at [[Brody, Zielona Góra County|Brody]] road no. 280<ref>{{cite web | url = https://maps.google.com/maps?q=52.0667,15.4333&ll=52.055176,15.42901&spn=0.003648,0.006899&t=h&z=17 | title = Prom rzeczny (52.055176,15.42901) |trans-title=River ferry (52.055176,15.42901) | work = Google Maps | publisher = Google | accessdate = 2012-01-29}}</ref>
*[[Ciszyca Ferry]], across the Vistula between [[Tarnobrzeg]] and [[Ciszyca, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship|Ciszyca]] road no. 758
*[[Czchów Ferry]], across the [[Dunajec]] between [[Czchów]] and [[Piaski Drużków]]
*[[Czeszewo Ferry]], across the Warta at [[Czeszewo, Września County|Czeszewo]]
*[[Dębno Ferry]], across the Warta between [[Dębno, Środa Wielkopolska County|Dębno]] and [[Orzechowo, Środa Wielkopolska County|Orzechowo]]
*[[Gniew Ferry]], across the Vistula between [[Gniew]] and [[Janowo, Kwidzyn County|Janowo]] road no. 510
*[[Grzegorzowice Ferry]], across the Oder between [[Grzegorzowice, Silesian Voivodeship|Grzegorzowice]] and [[Ciechowice]] road no. 421
*[[Kozubów Ferry]], across the [[Warta]] at [[Kozubów, Greater Poland Voivodeship|Kozubów]]
*[[Krzemienna Ferry]], across the [[San River|San]] between [[Krzemienna]] and [[Jabłonica Ruska]]
*[[Milsko Ferry]], across the Oder between [[Milsko, Lubusz Voivodeship|Milsko]] and [[Przewóz, Zielona Góra County|Przewóz]] road no. 282
*[[Nozdrzec Ferry]], across the San between [[Nozdrzec]] and [[Dąbrówka Starzeńska]]
*[[Opatowiec Ferry]], across the Vistula between [[Opatowiec]] and [[Ujście Jezuickie]]
*[[Otfinów Ferry]], across the Dunajec between [[Otfinów]] and [[Pasieka Otfinowska]]
*[[Pogorzelica Ferry]], across the Warta between [[Pogorzelica, Greater Poland Voivodeship|Pogorzelica]] and [[Nowa Wieś Podgórna]]
*[[Połaniec Ferry]], across the Vistula between [[Połaniec]] and [[Gliny Małe]]
*[[Połęcko Ferry]], across the Oder between [[Połęcko]] and [[Chlebowo, Lubusz Voivodeship|Chlebowo]] road no. 138
*[[Pomorsko Ferry]], across the Oder at [[Pomorsko]] road no. 281
*[[Siedliszowice Ferry]], across the Dunajec between [[Siedliszowice]] and [[Wietrzychowice]]
*[[Sławsk Ferry]], across the Warta between [[Sławsk]] and [[Węglewskie Holendry]]
*[[Świniary Ferry]], across the Vistula between [[Baranów Sandomierski]] and [[Świniary Stare]] road no. 872
*[[Waki Ferry]], across the Warta at [[Waki, Poland|Waki]]

=== Slovakia ===
[[Image:AngernGrenze.jpg|right|thumb|Border-crossing ferry, Záhorská Ves in Slovakia and Angern an der March in Austria]]
*[[Strečno Ferry]], across the river [[Váh]], between [[Strečno]] and [[Nezbudská Lúčka]] in [[Žilina District]]
*[[Vlčany-Selice Ferry]], across the river [[Váh]], between [[Vlčany]] and [[Selice]] in [[Šaľa District]]
* [[Záhorská Ves Ferry]], across the river [[Morava (river)|Morava]], between [[Záhorská Ves]], [[Malacky District]] in [[Slovakia]] and [[Angern an der March]], [[Gänserndorf (district)|Gänserndorf district]] in [[Lower Austria]], [[Austria]]

===Slovenia===
*Ferry from [[Sladki Vrh]] to [[:de:Weitersfeld an der Mur|Weitersfeld an der Mur]] ([[Austria]]) across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river is recognised as a border crossing.
*Ferry across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river in [[Krog, Murska Sobota|Krog]].
*Ferry across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river in [[Ižakovci]].
*Ferry across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river in [[Melinci]].
*Tinekov brod across the [[Mur (river)|Mur]] river near [[Gornja Bistrica]].

===Spain===
* [[Pas de barca de Flix]] on the [[Ebro]] river, in [[Flix, Spain|Flix]] in the [[Catalonia]] region of Spain.
* [[Pas de barca de Miravet]] on the [[Ebro]] river, in [[Miravet]] in the [[Catalonia]] region of Spain has been operating since the [[Middle Ages]], and continues to use a traditional wooden ferry boat design.

===Switzerland===
Four passenger ferries cross the [[Rhine]] in [[Basel]].<ref>[https://www.faehri.ch Stiftung Basler Fähren]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6utGZQ9Sks Video about Basel’s reaction ferry, by Tom Scott]</ref>

Three such ferries cross the [[Aare]] in [[Bern]].

A small traditional ferry, the last on this river, crosses the [[Doubs]].<ref>[https://www.parcdoubs.ch/de/entdeckungen/kulturelles-erbe/die-faehre-von-tariche Ferry of Tariche]</ref>

===United Kingdom===
[[Image:Hampton Loade Ferry - 2004-07-24.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hampton Loade Ferry]], England]]
The [[Hampton Loade Ferry]], which carried passengers only, crossed the [[River Severn]] at [[Hampton Loade]] in [[Shropshire]] until 2017. It was operated partly by the current and partly by [[Punt (boat)|punting]].

===United States===
Several reaction ferries crossed rivers in the [[The Ozarks|Ozark Mountains]] of the central United States during the first half of the 20th century. The [[Akers Ferry]] across the [[Current River (Missouri)|Current River]] near [[Salem, Missouri|Salem]] in [[Missouri]] remains in operation. [[Menor's Ferry]] in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was a dual-pontoon reaction ferry built in the 1890s and operated until 1927. A replica was constructed by the [[National Park Service]] in 2009.<ref name=npt1>{{cite web|last=Repanshek|first=Matt|title=Menor's Ferry Back in Service At Grand Teton National Park|url=http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/08/menors-ferry-back-service-grand-teton-national-park|publisher=National Parks Traveler|accessdate=29 October 2022|date=August 4, 2009}}</ref><ref name=npt2>{{cite web|title=Menors Ferry Historic District|url=https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/historyculture/menors.htm|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=29 October 2022|date=July 20, 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Cable ferry]]
*[[Chain boat]]
*[[Ferry]]
*[[Pontoon (boat)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Reaction ferries}}
*[http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm BC Ministry of Transportation Marine Division]
*[https://archive.today/20130115181455/http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/pm.php?id=record_detail&fl=&lg=English&ex=00000199&rd=114731 Picture of the ferry] at [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]] across the Fraser River.
*[https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019TRAN0087-001149 Commemorating the centennial of the McLure ferry]
*[http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/fa79k.htm History of current-powered ferries in the Ozarks]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040327022000/http://www.ebreguia.com/miravet/english/index.htm Catalonia historical and tourist information site]}}

[[Category:Ferries]]