While the original paddle steamer ferries were OK for horse drawn traffic, the introduction of the motor car made it difficult the ferries to cope because of the increase in weight that they had to carry.
Loading
The paddle steamers were designed for side loading, but this was a long and complicated process in the case of large motor vehicles. These vehicles were difficult to stow, fewer of them could be carried and there were longer delays at the terminals.
A decision was made to replace the paddle steamers with diesel propelled boats that loaded from the end. A new causeway was also built on either side of the river with hinged traffic bridges to make loading and off loading easier.
New motor ships
Three diesel engined motor ships were built in 1963. Each ferry is licensed to carry 500 passengers and 200 tons of vehicles.
These vessels are 185.6 feet long, and 61 feet wide. They weight 738.5 tons.
The ferries are double ended, able to proceed equally well in either direction, easy to manoeuvre and able to leave the terminals in a downstream direction whatever the state of the tide.
The boats are propelled by two pressure charged 500 h.p. diesel engines that drive two propellers, one fitted at each end of the boat.
This arrangement provides the high degree of manoeuvrability essential in tidal water at Woolwich.
Find out more about the motor ships