An East View of Gray's Ferry, on the River Schuylkill

The wide Schuylkill River presented a major obstacle separating the western portion on Philadelphia County from the eastern. Shown here is the main southern crossing point with a rope line for the ferry boats as well as a floating pontoon bridge. Pontoon bridges were first used on the Schuylkill for military operations during the American Revolution and could be swung open for boat traffic.