Camphire slip

The slipway at Camphire is across the river from the quay and slip at Villierstown.

Villierstown is a dual-purpose installation:

• a quay for the schooners (and other vessels) loading and unloading cargoes on their way up and down the Blackwater
• a slip for the ferry carrying passengers and cargoes across the Blackwater.

I’m guessing, but I suspect that the ferry must have been a large flat-bottomed boat, perhaps with ramps at both ends to allow both animals (cattle, horses) and wheeled vehicles on and off. The crossing would have saved people a considerable journey by road to reach the nearest bridges.

As usual, I would be grateful to anyone who can explain the various features to me.

I wonder whether the ferry might have been attached to a rope or chain, both for propulsion and to prevent its being swept downriver.

The works on the west bank extend a considerable way, presumably to overcome the mud banks.

Next: Killahally