On 23rd November 1836, the Mayor opened the Itchen floating bridge with much ceremony. Two years later, local historian Robert Mudie wrote, "The Itchen Ferry is one of the neatest ... boat passages in Europe, across which carriages ... and all manner of wheeled vehicles are conducted without disturbing a buckle of their harness. Foot passengers may regale themselves with fruits, pastry ... and beverages". It provided the missing link in the journey between Southampton and Portsmouth and took only four minutes to cross the river. In 1881 A second set of chains was laid across the river  to allow two ferries to cross the river at the same time

THE WOOLSTON FERRY SONG & VIDEO

The floating bridge was like a large barge, capable of carrying several motor vehicles. It was powered by steam. Cables were laid across the river bed and machinery on the bridge used the cables to pull the bridge across the Itchen. The Floating Bridge was  eventually replaced with a permanent road crossing which opened to traffic on the 1st June 1977, it was officially named "The Itchen Bridge" by HRH Princess Alexandra on the 1st July.

Timeline of the Bridge

• 1796: Northam Bridge built by the Northam Bridge Company

• 30 August 1833: Itchen Bridge Company formed, with the intention of building a swing bridge across the Itchen - but when the Admiralty objects (concerned about obstruction to navigation on the river), an alternative plan for a floating bridge is hatched

• 1834: Parliament passes an Act to allow the building of the floating bridge

• 3 November 1835: First floating bridge arrives in Southampton, ready to begin work shortly

• 23 November 1835: Floating bridge opens to the public

• 4 March 1850: Bankruptcy forces closure of the bridge

• 8 April 1852: Re-formed company (now the Itchen Floating Bridge Company) restores the service

• 1934: Southampton Corporation buys the Itchen Floating Bridge and its roads

• 1954: A new Northam Bridge opened

• 1959-60: Southampton Corporation applies to Parliament for an Act to build a permanent bridge as a replacement for the floating bridge

• 1972: Southampton City Council decides to build a permanent bridge at the site of the floating bridge

• July 1973: Private Bill passed by Parliament, allowing tolls to be charged for crossing the planned Itchen Bridge

• February 1974: Contract for building the Itchen Bridge awarded to Kier Ltd

• 22 March 1974: Inauguration ceremony

• 31 May 1977: Mrs Edith Park from Sholing becomes the first member of the public to cross the bridge when it's opened to pedestrians

• 31 May 1977: Chips becomes the first dog to cross the Itchen Bridge. Escorted by his owner, Mrs Grace, Chips raced an alsation across the new bridge. In a tactical error, the alstation's owner stopped at the summit to enjoy the view - allowing Chips to complete the journey from east to west and claim his place in Southampton history

• 1 June 1977: Councillor Joyce Pitter, Mayor of Southampton, formally opens the Itchen Bridge and it is now open to traffic

• 11 June 1977: Itchen Floating Bridge makes its final trip

• 12 June 1977: Bus services introduce the Itchen Bridge into their timetables

• 13 July 1977: Princess Alexandra opens the Itchen Bridge