Conference Paper

Author

Glencross-Grant, Rex

Title

Punts, pontoons and ferries: temporary and transient river crossings of the Murray-Darling River system in New South Wales to 1925

In

19th Australasian engineering heritage conference: putting water to work: steam power, river navigation and water supply

Editors

Engineers Australia and Engineering Heritage Australia

Imprint

Engineering Heritage Australia, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, 2017, pp. 90-141

ISBN/ISSN

9781922107923

Url

https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.384092827551997

Subject

History of Applied Sciences Engineering and Technology

Abstract

This paper examines the significant role played in the early days of settlement in western NSW of punts, ferries and pontoons as transient river crossings on the Murray-Darling River system. A significant number of these crossings were provided on a temporary, ad hoc and opportunistic basis before more permanent and significant bridges could be built at key crossing points. Whilst some 15 opening bridges were built on this inland river system between 1876 and 1925 that allowed for the passage of river steamers, nevertheless, far more numerous punts, ferries and pontoons provided a vital role in ensuring continuity of overland transport.

The paper provides an historical context of such key transient facilities provided at major crossing points on the Darling-Barwon, Murray, Murrumbidgee-Lachlan and Edwards-Wakool Rivers. It will provide a brief account as to how these came about; where they were located and why they were strategic; who operated them and how. The role and importance of these facilities will be outlined in terms of the early movement of people, livestock and produce on the western plains of NSW and to/from the adjoining colonies of South Australia and Victoria.

Very few of these facilities were operated and maintained by the NSW Colonial Government, except for a small number of sites. However, other overland transport routes were serviced by privately owned and operated punts, ferries and pontoons, which in some cases were very rudimentary and unreliable, but nevertheless played a vital role in early continuous transport linkages. These facilities were essentially monopolies in their own right (for there was little or no competition in most instances), but the NSW Colonial Government called open tenders on a regular basis for provision and operation of such services. In this way, the Government was able to demonstrate an open and competitive process for the licence to operate such facilities.

The end point of 1925 corresponds with the wind down of a major bridge building programme at many of these sites by the NSW Department of Public Works; a serious reduction in river traffic and the Main Roads Board was established as a dedicated road authority in NSW. As such, this new body adopted a very rigorous and active programme of replacing punts, ferries and pontoons on classified roads with bridges in NSW. The paper will conclude with discussion of the remaining two ferries operating on extreme ends of the Murray River; both of which are still provided by the NSW road authority (Roads and Maritime).

Source

cohn 2018

Related Published resources

isPartOf

• 19th Australasian engineering heritage conference: putting water to work: steam power, river navigation and water supply edited by Engineers Australia and Engineering Heritage Australia (Barton, Australian Capital Territory: Engineers Australia, 2017), 536 pp. Details