Great Yarmouth Ferry Crossings

I saw an article yesterday (20th January) in the EDP about bringing back one of the old Yarmouth Lifeboats. I also read Sarah Woods’ article and liked the pictures of the ferry across the Yare from Gorleston to South Quay. I used to use it to get to work at Bird's Eye and Docwras rock factory nearly every day. This must have been around the late 70s. I asked the man who used to steer it what would happen if we sank, (we didn't wear lifejackets then) as sometimes the river got quite choppy and all the ladies from Bird's Eye would scream when we hit a big wave. He told me it used to be a lifeboat, so it was very unlikely to sink, and the seats we were sitting on were life rafts. He even let me steer it across the river with the rudder once! I saw your pictures on your site and wondered if it could be the same lifeboat or the one they are trying to bring back to Yarmouth? Does anyone else remember going across the river on the ferry to work? Appeal launched to bring old Gorleston lifeboat home www.edp24.co.uk Campaigners hope to bring a historic lifeboat back to her home port in time to display her at the Great Yarmouth.

In 2 weeks time I will be 83 years old and fortunately and by the grace of God I am still healthy and fit. I lived in Gorleston from 1945 until 1958. My mother had a greengrocery shop in Bells Road and I was in the Boys Brigade at the Baptist church in Nioe Road. I went to Yarmouth Grammar School and my girl friend, June Smith went to the Girls High school. To visit her, I would take the ferry across from below the Albion pub to the fish wharf where her parents had an Off licence business. That ferry was rowed across the river, often with the help of passengers by an ox of a man we used to call Jumbo. If anyone reads this and would like to know more please do contact me by email

Yes I also remember the ferry. I stayed with my grandmother a lot when I was younger and also I had an Auntie who lived in Southtown, Albany Rd. I used the ferry to visit her sometimes -  lovely memories !!!  My age like you will be 83 in March!!!