Horse Powered Ferries in Brooklyn, 1814

Editor's note: The following articles are from the publications listed below. Thank you to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing these articles. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

A 1776 map of New York Corlears Hook Map Poster by Antonios Valamontes https://www.google.com

​Long-Island Star, April 6, 1814
NEW FERRY BOATS. On Sunday last the public were gratified by the performance of a new invented Ferry Boat, on the New-Ferry between this village and New-York. This boat was invented by Moses Rogers, Esq. of New-York. It is in some respects similar to the Paulus Hook ferry-boats, and calculated to receive waggons in the same commodious way; but the water-wheel in the center is moved by eight horses. It crossed the river twelve times during the day, in from 8 to 18 minutes each, and averaging 200 passengers each time. It makes good was against wind and tides and promises to be an important acquisition. Another boat to go by horses is now building for that ferry; and a Steam-Boat . . . is nearly ready for the ferry between Brooklyn and Beekman Slip. 

Columbian, May 18, 1814
Brooklyn Steam Ferry-Boat. "The Nassau", The new steam-boat . . . , which commenced running from Beekman-slip to the lower ferry at Brooklyn a few days ago, carried in one of her first trips, 549 (another counted 550) passengers, one waggon and pair of horses, two horses and chairs, and one single horse. She has made a trip in four minutes, and generally takes from four to eight; and has crossed the river (in width about three quarters of a mile) 40 times in one day. The convenience and utility of this line of boats to the inhabitants of Long-Island and this city, may be easily conceived. The boat impelled by horses from the New-slip to the upper Brooklyn ferry, carried at one time 545 passengers, besides some carriages and horses. And a horse-boat is to run soon from Grand-street dock to Williamsburgh. These astonishing improvements in domestic navigation are without equal in the known world. . . .

N-Y Evening Post, June 8, 1814
COMMUNICATION. On Saturday morning was launched, at the ship yard of Mr. Charles Browne, an elegant double boat, intended to ply as a ferry boat, from Corlaer's Hook to Williamsburgh, Long Island -- Bateau allant par Chevaux. This beautiful boat is called the Williamsburgh, and is to be propelled by horse-power. . . . She is by far the most spacious [such boat] . . . -- presenting to view an extensive deck of 80 feet by 42 feet wide. . . . ***

N-Y Evening Post, August 4, 1814
Team Boat Williamsburgh. -- Trial was made yesterday of the TEAM Boat Williamsburgh, intended to ply as a ferry boat between Corlaers Hook and Williamsburgh on the opposite shore of Long Island. This boat certainly far exceeds any other propelled by horse power. *** She proceeded with only eight horses from Williamsburgh against a strong ebb tide up the East River opposite the New Alms House, from thence to Delancey Slip, and from thence she proceeded down the River, passed the Navy Yard, Long Island and Brooklyn against a very rapid flood tide to the admiration of a numerous assemblage of spectators on the wharves. Thus in a few years we have witnessed the wonderful improvement from sails to steam, and from steam to animal power, which is calculated in a great measure to supercede the necessity and expense of steam, particularly for these short ferries.

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