One man's vision - Richard Clough and the Short Road Ferry

The 'Short Road Ferry,' also known as the 'Newport Ferry' or 'Williamstown Steam Ferry' by those who used it, was the main transport route connecting Newport, Spotswood, and Williamstown to Melbourne and its eastern suburbs. This service operated until the 1970s when the Westgate Bridge provided a direct connection for the inner western suburbs to the rest of Melbourne.

One man's vision at the dawn of the colony of Victoria served the growing community for nearly a century. 

Richard Clough operated a blacksmith shop opposite the Steam Packet Hotel at the corner of Cole Street and Little Nelson Place, where he also kept a good stock of horses for sale. To replenish his inventory, Clough had to endure the long journey by road to horse sales at the northern end of Bourke Street in Melbourne. This route could be quite challenging, especially after rain, which turned the track boggy and rutted. After making this arduous trip many times, Clough conceived the idea of a ferry, believing it would reduce travel time and benefit local commerce.

Clough campaigned vigorously to establish a ferry service across the river from Greenwich (Newport) to Sandridge (Port Melbourne). However, he initially struggled to garner community support for his proposal, with locals mockingly referring to it as 'Clough’s Folly' or 'Clough’s Short Road.' After being elected to the municipal council in 1864, Clough successfully convinced his fellow councillors of the ferry’s benefits, and the community of Williamstown began to take his proposals seriously, making the establishment of a Short Road Ferry a top priority.

The first of three ferries, named the Connecting Link, was launched on the Yarra River in May 1873.