Halifax–Dartmouth Ferry Service
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| Locale | Halifax, NS |
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| Waterway | Halifax Harbour |
| Transit type | Passenger ferry |
| Owner | Halifax Regional Municipality |
| Operator | Halifax Transit |
| Began operation | 1752 |
| Ended operation | Still operating |
| No. of lines | 2 |
| No. of vessels | 5 |
| No. of terminals | 3 |
| Website | Ferries |
Coordinates: 44°38′59″N 63°34′17″W / 44.64972°N 63.57139°W
The Halifax–Dartmouth Ferry is the oldest saltwater ferry in North America, and the second oldest in the world (after the Mersey Ferry linking Liverpool and Birkenhead). Today the service is operated by Halifax Transit and links Downtown Halifax with two locations, Alderney Landing and Woodside, in Dartmouth, NS.
The first ferry service in the region was put in place by the founder of Halifax Edward Cornwallis, who used the ferry service to move raw materials and people from a sawmill located on the Dartmouth side of the harbour. During this time there was no official service and it was not until 1752, after a council meeting, that the first ferry charter was issued to John Connor This began the official ferry service between Halifax and Dartmouth. At this time regulations stated that the boats would be run from sunrise until sunset through weekdays with a fare of three pence. In these early stages there was no schedule. Patrons would simply walk down to the pier and be taken across as needed. Connor operated the ferry for only one year and after his departure the operation of the ferry changed hands twice more before 1786.
The first true ferry to be employed in the harbour was not until 1816 the Sherbrooke classified as a Horseboat being powered by (in Sherbrooke’s case) nine horses walking in a circular motion in the centre of the ferry powering the central paddle. This ferry was thought to be a large improvement to the previous service due to its speed and ability to transport more people and cargo from either side of the harbour. This ferry operated in the harbour until 1830 when the first steam ferry, the Sir Charles Ogle, entered service. The continuing ferry service remained the only effective way of crossing the harbour until 1955, when the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge was first opened.
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