Reaction Ferry Near Lytton British Columbia

Conrad Nay, on February 17, 2009, said:

This ferry does not have an engine. It is attached via a traveller to a cable upstream and the twin hulls are manually manipulated so that the passing water moves the ferry across the water. The hulls are manipulated via rudders on their downstream sterns and large oars, as seen in the photo. The only power required is for the lights at night.

not1word, on February 17, 2009, said:

Would this even be considered skippering a boat?

Thanks for sharing yet one more thing that I was totally unaware of, Conrad. It's a brilliant piece of thought.

Conrad Nay, on February 17, 2009, said:

Hey Not1word - glad you appreciated it! When we came across this ferry last Friday I was mesmerized by the simplicity of it.

not1word, on February 17, 2009, said:

You know, we think that we're so smart, but we've forgotten and not even learned so much of what was known before. It's this type of simple engineering that shows that nearly any problem can be overcome with a bit of thought and some work.

Conrad Nay, on February 17, 2009, said:

You're absolutely right - apparently they were using this technology in Europe back in the 1700's.

Cal Kimola, on February 21, 2009, said:

So what brought you to my neck of the woods Conrad? You must have drove right through Kamloops and didn't call........

Conrad Nay, on February 21, 2009, said:

Oops....we were out to visit my mother-in-law, who lives in Ashcroft. She grew up in Lytton/Gladwyn so we drove down to Lytton and revisited her old haunts. Since she is 95 it looks like she was there before this ferry existed. The ferry crew were exceedingly generous in explaining how everything worked, although more traffic came along so we had to move on before I had cleaned their brains out!

whoelius, on April 2, 2009, said:

I gotta see the Interior.

Conrad Nay, on April 2, 2009, said:

Hey Whoelius...are you talking about the interior of the ferry? Not much to see except a big steering wheel. Or the interior of BC? LOTS to see!

Nawitka, on April 2, 2009, said:

I love this ferry, and great shot Conrad! Such a super use of smart people's brains, I really enjoy hearing about stuff like that.

mardrl, on December 24, said:

Gee, Thanks a lot Conrad! Merry Arkmas to you too. :))