The Itchen or 'Floating Bridge' Southampton

The Itchen Floating Bridge was a cable ferry that crossed the River Itchen in England between Woolston and Southampton from 23 November 1836 until 11 June 1977. It was taken out of service when the new Itchen Bridge was opened.
Initially there was one ferry, built and owned by the Floating Bridge Company, increased to two in 1881. In 1934 they were sold to Southampton Corporation.
By 1977, they were operating side by side during the day with a single ferry late in the evening. There was a bus terminus at either side of the crossing, connecting foot passengers with the centre of Southampton and the road to Portsmouth.

[@tramalan]

A treat when I was a kid. Hants & Dorset low bridge bus with side gangway upstairs to Woolston then ferry across to Southampton. Even after trams stopped in 1949, I was 8!! I still loved the treat!! As I grew older still loved them right until the end when I was 36!!

[@leesummers7020]

My 3rd Great-Grandfather was a Director of the Company he died in 1889

[@chrisw8844]

My grand uncle Bertie Painter was a captain of the floating bridge in Southampton 😁 Chris Wareham

[@phina8392]

And they turned one into a night club called floaters, spent many a weekend going

[@johnholmes912]

woolston ferry. get the name right

[@southamptononvideo2439]

It was known locally as the Itchen or Floating Bridge. I have only ever seen it described as the Woolston ferry in academic books. (I have lived in Soton all my life and checked this fact beforehand)

[@tramalan]

or the Woolston Free ferry!!