Roy Thornton Collection

Steel twin screw turbine steamer, built and engined by Denny’s of Dumbarton (Yard No. 1492) for the British Transport Commission’s cross-Channel car ferry service in 1959. Launched November 27th, 1958.

Technical Data

Length on deck - 113.69m (373 ft) (overall)

(348 ft) (between perpendiculars)

Breadth of hull - 18.38m (60.2 ft) (extreme)

Depth - 18.2 ft (moulded)

Draught - 3.96m (13 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage - 3,920 gross

1,335 net

917 deadweight

Engines - 2 Pametrada steam turbines, double reduction gearing, connected to two

screw shafts.

Propulsion/Propellers - 11,500 shp/2

Speed - 19 knots (service), 20 knots (max)

Capacity - 1,000 passengers, 180 cars.

History

September 1955: Ordered

November 27^th 1958: Launched and given the title “The Pocket Liner” in view of her appearance resembling a large passenger liner. She was a one class vessel and although a drive-on, drive-off stern loading vehicle ferry she was fitted with two turntables to speed loading and unloading of cars. She was also the first British car ferry to be built with a hydraulic stern door.

May 4^th 1959: Sea trials.

May 13^th 1959: Delivered to British Transport Commission, Southern Region, London, England.

Stéphane Poulain Collection

May 27^th 1959: Inaugural sailing.

Stéphane Poulain Collection

May 28^th 1959: Commenced service between Dover - Boulogne.

January 1^st 1963: British Railways Board succeeded British Transport Commission.

Roy Thornton Collection (left) and Stéphane Poulain Collection (right)

1964: Vessels painted in the new livery of British Railways, (blue hull and red funnels) and the “Double - Arrow”

Roy Thornton Collection

September 1967: In collision with the piling at the southern end of the jetty at the entrance to the Camber (Dover) during severe south-west gales, and holed above the water line.

Roy Thornton Collection

November 1969: It was announced that British Rail’s Shipping and International Services Division (S.I.S.D.) had adopted the new brand name Sealink and as a consequence all vessels were painted in the new house colours.

Roy Thornton Collection

August 5^th 1970: Collided with the quayside in Dover, damaged her stern and repaired in Rotterdam.

1973: Sealink trading name painted on hulls

June 12th 1973: Off service this week after crushing in her bows when she rammed the submarine pens at Dover’s Eastern Docks. The ship was not on service but changing its berth from the Western Docks to the Eastern Docks in thick fog. No one was hurt. A spokesman for British Rail said the ship would probably be off service for several days. Damage was above the waterline so repairs could be carried out while the ship was afloat. Passengers and cars booked on the MAID OF KENT were transferred to the …HOLYHEAD FERRY I and the DOVER.

Roy Thornton Collection

September 10^th 1973: Collided with the breakwater in Boulogne. Towed to Dunkerque for remedial repairs before she sailed to Holyhead to be prepared for the new Weymouth - Cherbourg route.

April 6^th 1974 - October 12^th 1974: Operated between Weymouth - Cherbourg.

Roy Thornton Collection

September 10^th 1973: Collided with the breakwater in Boulogne. Towed to Dunkerque for remedial repairs before she sailed to Holyhead to be prepared for the new Weymouth - Cherbourg route.

April 6^th 1974 - October 12^th 1974: Operated between Weymouth - Cherbourg.

Roy Thornton Collection

April 8^th 1974 - May 30^th 1974: Off service with turbine problems.

March 31^st 1975 - April 29^th 1975: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.

January 1976: Operated as a freight only ferry for two weeks between Harwich - Zeebrügge.

May 1976: Commenced service between Fishguard - Rosslare.

October 19^th 1976: Commenced service between Weymouth - Cherbourg.

October 1978: Operated as support vessel Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

April 1^st 1979: Registered to Sealink U.K. Ltd.

April 6^th 1979: Commenced service between Weymouth - Cherbourg.

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions. All items included in this article are subject to ©. We would like to thank: Micke Asklander (Faktaomfartyg) Stéphane Poulain, Ken Larwood, Peter Longhurst, Tony Garner and Brian Fisher for there assistance in producing this feature.