Itchen Ferry

An Itchen Ferry gaff cutter is seen from the ground on the starboard side, resting on legs on muddy shingle above the low tide mark at Woolston. No name is visible on the boat. The two men walking on the shore ahead of the boat's bow indicate that this boat's length on deck is towards the 30ft length typical of the type. The mainsail removed, the boom and gaff are lashed together and hoisted high, while the foresail is lowered but still hanked to the forestay. The photograph shows the deep hull, straight stem and near-vertical transom of the type. Moored afloat in front of industrial buildings on the other side of the harbour are a variety of small craft, including two further Itchen ferries seen bow-on.