Ferry at Moab p.2

This photo of the ferry at Moab was taken at high water. The ferry landed downstream. The team on the ferry belonged to H. Allen. Courtesy of Mrs. Jack Youvan. MOAB FERRY. Moab's first settlers had to ford the Colorado River. Later a bridge was built but in between a ferry was used. The ferry ran along a cable stretched across the river a short distance upstream from the present bridge. Norman Taylor installed the first ferry and later the county took over the service. In 1897 a new ferry was put into operation to replace a smaller one. The new ferry was 55 feet long, 16 feet wide, and drew two inches unloaded. Crossing by ferry was not always dependable. In June 1909 one of the sheave wheels which ran on the cable broke and the stagecoach could not cross. The passengers and mail were taken across in a row boat. The crossing could also be perilous. In the summer of 1909 the cable broke. Will Young was crossing on the ferry with a four horse team and two wagons. The ferryman, however, got the ferry to shore at Court House Wash and a potential disaster was averted. (Photo courtesy of Mrs. Lydia Skewes). By John Hoffman.