Complex sentence: The ferry continued in use until after the Second World but gradually use of the ferry decreased and lack of maintenance of landing stages on either side meant traversing mud-one of the duties of the ferryman had become carrying people across the mud.
Split into simpler sentences: The ferry continued in use until after the Second World but gradually use of the ferry decreased and lack of maintenance of landing stages on either side meant traversing mud. One of the duties of the ferryman had become carrying people across the mud.