The flying bridges to Basel

by Niggi Schoellkopf
Basel Ferry Association / President 1974-1999

The flying bridges to Basel – this is what our ancestors called the Basel Rhine ferries, because they fulfilled the task of our current bridges at that time.

We go once more back to the middle of the 19th century: The Mittlere Rheinbrücke (middle Rhine bridge) was the only connection between large and small Basel. On initiative of the governor of the Künstlergesellschaft, Johann Jakob in the hof- Forcart, the Harzgrabenfähre between the St Albanvorstadt and the Bürgerlichen Waisenhaus (civil orphanage) was opened in 1854; it remained in business until 1877. In the year 1862 the second ferry, from the Totentanz (dead dance) to the Kaserne (barracks) came into operation followed in 1877 by the Münsterfähre which replaced the Harzgrabenfähre, as a “flying bridge”.

The ferry enterprises were successful and the long held desire of the Kunstlergesellschaft (Artist Company) later the the Basler Kunstvereins (Art Association of Basel) were fulfilled with the building of the Kunsthalle (art centre) at Steinenberg. In 1894 the St Albanfähre began business and in 1895 began operation, as the 5th ferry, working between the St Johan and Klybeck.

However the five ferry routes flourished only so long, with no further Rhine bridges to provide competition. With the building of the Wettsteinbrücke in 1879, the Johanniterbrücke in 1882 and the Dreirosenbrücke in 1934 the ferries suffered substantial financial losses as the inhabitants of Gross and Klein Basel used their local bridges. It was considered time and again whether to transfer the ferry ownership to the nation. Upon this request in the year 1873 however the Basel Grand Councils reached a majority verdict, not to allow such action. For short time the GGG oversay the Basel ferries until in 1936, 1942 and 1954 they passed into the private possession of the ferrymen.

In 1936 ferryman Fritz Bürgin was given the Klingenstalfähre in the belief that it this would provide for him into his old age. A few years later in 1942 the GGG gifted the Münsterfähre to ferryman Karl Städel. The St Albanfähre on the other hand was sold in 1954 at a price of Fr. 12,000 to the ferryman at that time, Gustav Buchsinger.

In 1944 there was a very special event for the four Rhine ferries: on a sunny June Sunday they were baptised with their current names, and their was a small celebration in Kleinbasel. The uppermost ferry, which connected Birsfelden with the outer Grenzacherstrasse, received the name “Ueli”, the St. Albanfähre was named “Wilde Maa”, the Münsterfähre “Leu” and the Klingentalfähre “Vogel Gryff”. The three Guilds of Klein Basel were with officially represented by their flag bearers.

After the war years (1939-1945) the traffic experienced a rapid and salient rise; Passenger vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles increased by thousands per calendar year and new Tram and Buslinien were created. Along with this came a bridge with the long desired, wide and modern St Albanbrücke. It was solemnly inaugurated in the spring of 1955 and handed over to the public. This greatly reduced the frequencies of the three remaining Rhine ferries and the ferrymen had to fight to maintain their private businesses.

When at the beginning of the 1970’s the Klingentalfähre was put up for sale by the ageing ferryman this should have been a speculative transaction. Because the serious intentions of financially strong enterprises not only did the price rocket to astronomical heights, but also placed the future of the Basler ferries in question. It is to the Kleinbasel physician Dr. Hans J. Nidecker that we owe our thanks that the situation was saved. Together with some fellow Basel citizens in 1972 he created the “Klingantalfähre and Vogel Gryff Foundation”, which first took over the Klingentalfähre. They also negotiated with the responsible authorities that with the sales of the other ferries the concessions would be transferred to the foundation thus ensuring that this typical and popular Basel means of transport came automatically to the foundation. Already in the spring of 1976 the St. Albanfähre and “Wilde Maa” became the property of the foundation. Thereupon the foundation changed its name to “Foundation Basel ferries”.

The ferries were then leased to the ferrymen who pay an annual rent to the foundation. These amounts are however never sufficient to pay the maintenance and the resulting repairs or new acquisitions of a ferry boat. For this further money was required and a bankloan was obtained plus in January 1974 the sponsor association “Association Friends Basler Ferries” was created; the name was changed to Ferry Association . The association has approximately 4,000 members, that with their annuity and donations help to support the maintenance of the ferries.
In order to replace the bankers' loan as fast as possible, 1976 the first three-day-long “Fährifest” were held on the left and on the right of the Mittleren Brücke and the Johanniterbrücke. Net proceeds exceeded all expectations, so not only were the bank debts settled, but also a substantial amount was put on reserve. After the acquisition of the St. Albanfähre a second “Fährifest” was held, which likewise brought in a large profit. In the meantime the Klingetalfähre and the St. Albanfähre from the incomes of the celebration and a part of the annuities of the club members were replaced. The foundation was financially secure.
The sponsor association and the foundation co-operate closely. They are represented with a seat in the executive committee and/or in the foundation advice.
After the building of the Dreirosenbrücke over the St. Johannparks it was obvious that the Schlachthoffähre, abandoned in 1934 could be revived. In September 1989 the fourth Rhine ferry, “,called Ueli” running between the St. Johannpark and the Unteren Rheinweg was handed over accompanied bya two-day celebration on both banks for the public.
Also the last private ferry Münsterfähre changed into the possession of the Fähri association. The Ferry Association finally delivered the ferryboat and accessories to the foundation. Thus now all four Rhine ferries are administered by the “Stiftung Basler Fähren” (Foundation Basler ferries).
The Rhine ferries are considered as an official - however private - means of transport, even if they do not belong to the tariff group. They are probably the most pollution free “vehicle”, which stands in traffic, because they are propelled purely by the Rhine current. They belong to the familiar townscape and are not only for the Basel population, but also for the visitors to our city and for the tourists. A genuine attraction and as such a popular photo subject.
Owing to private initiative - and without state contribution – the future of our ferries is secured. Of this we can be proud!

Source: Basler ferries, gs publishing house 1992 (ISBN 3-7185-0124-4)