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==Types==
[[File:Sackville ferry gnangarra-21.jpg|thumb|Winding mechanism on the [[Sackville Ferry]] in [[New South Wales]], Australia]]
There are three types of cable ferry: the [[reaction ferry]], which uses the power of the river to tack across the current; the powered cable ferry, which uses an engineengines or electric motors (e.g., the [[Canby Ferry]] in the U.S. State of Oregon) to wind itself across; and the fast-disappearing hand-operated type, such as the [[Stratford-upon-Avon chain ferry]] in the UK and the [[Saugatuck Chain Ferry]] in [[Saugatuck, Michigan]], United States.
Powered cable ferries use powered cogswheels or drums on board the vessel to pull itself along by the cables. The cableschains or chainswire ropes can be used havewith a considerablesufficient amount of slack builtto into them, in order toallow sinksinking below the surface as the ferry moves away, allowing other vessels to pass without becoming grounded, snared or trapped. WhereChain aferries ferryin carriesstrong bothtidal passengerscurrents anduse vehiclestwo thechains, carthose deckin occupiesinland therivers centreoften (helpingonly toone balancechain on the vessel)upstream andside. twoSome passengercable areasferries areuse ata thewire sides,rope overon the tunnelsupstream forside thein chainsorder andto the engines. Ashold the ferry cannot steer, a ramp is built at both endsposition and there is usually a setchain ofon controlsthe facingdownstream inside eitherfor directionpropulsion.
A special type are electrically powered overhead- wirecable ferries like [[Straussee Ferry]], which have an onboard propulsion unit and can float free, but are connected to the overhead wire for the power supply, using an electrical cable that slides along the wirecable as the ferry moves. ▼Cable ferries are common where there is little other water-borne traffic that could get snagged in the cable or chains, where the water may be too shallow for other options, or where the river current is too strong to permit the safe crossing of a ferry not attached to the shore. Alignment of the platform at each end of the journey is automatic and, especially for vehicle ferries, safer than a free-moving ferry might be in bad conditions.
DuplicatedTwo puntsor more ferries can be provided ifin capacityorder ofto oneincrease isavaiablity notand enough. Twin ferries allow one to operatecapacity whileand theas othera isbackup beingduring maintainedmaintenance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48292685 |title=Blanchetown Punt. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=13 April 1953 |access-date=4 June 2012 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> ▼▲A special type are electrically powered overhead-wire ferries like [[Straussee Ferry]], which have an onboard propulsion unit and can float free, but are connected to the overhead wire for power supply, using an electrical cable that slides along the wire as the ferry moves.
▲Duplicated punts can be provided if capacity of one is not enough. Twin ferries allow one to operate while the other is being maintained.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48292685 |title=Blanchetown Punt. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=13 April 1953 |access-date=4 June 2012 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
==History==
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