In colonial times the main roads in Portsmouth led to the ferry landings. What we call East Main Road was known as the Path to Howland’s Ferry. Its location was close to where the remains of Stone Bridge are today. This location is one of the narrowest points on the Sakonnet River between Tiverton and Portsmouth. The ferry may date back to 1640. It was also known as Anthony’s Ferry and Pocasset Ferry. Howland’s Ferry played an important part during the Battle of Rhode Island. American forces used the location to pour onto Aquidneck Island to fight the British who occupied the island. When they were forced to retreat, many of the American forces used that route to make their escape. Howland Ferry was less used once the Bristol Ferry was established.
This ferry, the West Side, was used in the Howland Ferry area when the Stone Bridge was not operating. (Image G. Schmidt)
portsmouthhistorynotes 
Sep 12, 2021 @ 12:06:03
Interesting. How was the Howland ferry powered?
Sep 12, 2021 @ 15:18:47
I’m not sure about Howard ferry specifically but there is more information on the Bristol Ferry. Early ferries would have been flat bottom to carry animals and goods. The Bristol Ferry was once a horse drawn flat bottom. Catboat type ferries would later carry people until the steam powered ferries emerged.
Sep 12, 2021 @ 16:18:57
Thank you for the info. My research did show horse powered (horse treadmill) type power was used from 1810 to 1850 ish. The ferries used during the revolutionary war at the stone bridge area were the ones I was curious about. Catboat ferries would make sense using wind power . I will research further
It was interesting to find cat boats were named because the ones used for fishing had to have cats shooed from the deck before setting sail.
Thanks again
Gordon
Sep 12, 2021 @ 16:31:34
Chapin’s book on Rhode Island ferries has the most information, but I couldn’t find descriptions of what the ferries were like. I am researching for the Butt Hill Fort Restoration Committee, so I am very interested in what you find.
Sep 12, 2021 @ 16:57:28
Great. Thank you