South Sands Ferry 'Sea Tractor' going in to the sea to meet the South Sands ferry boat, Salcombe, Devon, England, UK
In the past, enabling passengers to land at South Sands Beach, a modified DKW (Army amphibious “Duck”) was used. This was not a success and it was bought by someone who ran a military museum who in return made the present Sea Tractor out of an old army truck chassis. The present popularity of the ferry service is very much due to the combination of a sea journey plus a ride up the beach on the Sea Tractor! A Sea tractor is a motor vehicle designed to travel through shallow seawater, usually carrying passengers on a platform suspended typically 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) or so above a tractor-like chassis. Early models of Sea tractors had a 20–40 horsepower (15–30 kW) motor and a 10 person capacity. The sea tractor was most popular during the early 1930s, as a unique way to give scenic tours to patrons of waterfront hotels and resorts. In other applications, Sea tractors were used merely as a ferry through shallow waters. Sea tractors are hardly used in present time - as boats, ferries, and other aquatic vessels often serve their function much more efficiently and comfortably.
Size: 4287px × 2848px
Location: South Sands Salcombe Devon
Photo credit: © Gary Blake / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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