A ferry working from Caernarfon directly to the shore opposite had been established by 1426. The ferry became known as the passage of the Water of Seynt (that is, Seiont) or otherwise Talyfoel. There were sandbanks of the channel, particularly the quicksands of Traeth Gwyllt, hampered the direct route. As late as the early nineteenth century it was necessary for passengers to disembark on adjacent sandbanks rather than at the ferry house when the water was low. On other occasions passengers were put off further up the Straits if suitable channels could be found (Davies, 1942, 196). Eventually, following attempts by other operators to set up, illegally, in competition, the landing point on the Anglesey side was moved to Y Foel, 1.3km to the north-east in 1850. The rights to the ferry were sold to Caernarfon Corporation in 1874. The ferry remained in use until 30 July 1954.

Sources:
Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, 2006, Crossing the Straits, pg21
Historic Admiralty Chart 1464-A1, RCAHMW Digital Collections sourced from UK Hydrographic Office (published 1872)
Wynne-Jones, I, 2001, Shipwrecks of North Wales, 4ed, pg 85

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, August 2008