Underneath the arches ...

Prior to the harbour bridge coming into use in 1932, the harbour - at the same point - was crossed using a ferry, or punt. There were two ferry routes: one that went from Dawes Point to Blues Point (constructed about 1900); another that went from Bennelong Point to Milsons Point (constructed in 1883). The remains of the Dawes Point ferry wharf can still be seen today. These first three images try to pin it down for you. The historic marker (left) refers to it as "the Dawes Point Horse Ferry Wharf". In the early days of this wharf, there were more horse and carts using the service than motorised vehicles. However, in 1830 there was a ferry called "The Experiment" which was a paddlewheeler, the motive power for which was a capstan turned by four horses walking round and round on deck. I am conflicted over which story gave rise to the name!

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There are some wonderful photographs taken by Harold Cazneaux (1878-1953) of the old ferries to and from these wharves. He adored the soft harbour light in the early morning, and some of his best images combine the two. Here is his 1908 "Ticket Collector, Horse Punt", sourced from the Art Gallery, New South Wales (AG-NSW). The specific wharf is not detailed.

Here is another of Cazneaux's ferry images: "The Old Horse Punt", c. 1920. This time on the water. I am not able to read the name of the punt, but it is loaded with horses and carts. This could be the "Kooroongaba", or the "Benelon", or the "Barrangaroo", or the "Warrane", or the "Kamilaroi". Wonderful old names. This image sourced from the digital collection o the National Library of Australia (NLA).

This final image comes from "Philip Geeves presents Cazneaux's Sydney 1904-1934", and depicts the old horse ferry at Milson's Point, which ran to and from Bennelong Point. Apparently, Cazneaux confessed that he haunted the Milsons Point terminus: "The old pre-bridge ferry landing always attracted me and my 'magic box'. It was the soft morning light that prompted the taking of this picture, which I like to think of as one of my best."