Footdee to Torry Ferry

By Rowan Stewart

One of the interesting records in our Archives relates to the ferry service between Footdee, known locally at ‘Fittie’, and Torry. A vital link between Footdee and Torry, the ferry service was very busy during the mid-late 19th century. Originally the ferry operated on a pulley system, attached by a wire rope looped at each bank and enabled it to be pulled across the river, without the use of an engine, sails or rudder on the boat. 

However, disaster struck on Wednesday 5th April 1876 when 32 passengers drowned in the Dee Ferry Boat Disaster. Vast numbers were crossing the River Dee that day to go to the funfair as it was a nice day and a public holiday. At the end of the day, many people were trying to catch the ferry back home. Whilst the full capacity of the boat was 32, at least 77 people managed to get onboard when the boat tipped over and all passengers fell in. Different opinions were put forward to explain why the tragic accident occurred, including local fisherman warning that the ferryboat was the wrong type of boat for the channel due to its fast and changing currents. Others said the wire line used was the wrong type and the inquiry blasted the Police and number onboard. The eventual outcome led to the construction of the Victoria Bridge, which still exists today.

Once the Victoria Bridge was built, there were fewer crossing the river by ferry and by 1946 the ferry service was seen as unviable due to expenses and lack of passengers. 

Update: 

There were many ferry routes in the harbour and the one which capsized was across the Dee from Point Law to Torry, not the Fittie/Torry one. The capsized ferry was run by a ferryman who leased it from the Town Council, not the Harbour Board.

The Fittie/Torry ferry was a rowing ferry rather than a rope operated ferry, later replaced by a motor boat.

The printed tickets are more likely to have been used on the much later motor ferries run by Aberdeen Harbour Board, which ran from Old Torry to Mearns Quay, then walk through Ferry Place to catch the Albert Quay to Dock Street one.

Thanks to George Wood for this extra information on the Harbour ferries!