Roy Thornton Collection

Steel twin screw turbine steamer, built and engined by Denny’s of Dumbarton for the British Transport Commission in 1949 (Yard No 1414) as a passenger and mail vessel ( a replacement for the BIARRITZ). Launched September 17^th, 1948.

Technical Data

Length on deck - 103.94m (341.3 ft) (overall)

100.50m (329.6 ft) (between perpendiculars)

Breadth of hull - 15.24m (52 ft) (extreme)

Depth - 26 ft (moulded)

Draught - 5.49m (12.5 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage - 3,777 (gross)

2,776 (net)

570 (deadweight)

Engines - Denny steam turbines, single reduction gearing

Power/Propellers - 11,000 shp/2

Speed - 22 knots

Capacity - 1,400 passengers and also 25-30 cars during winter time (crane loaded hold)

History

September 9^th 1948: Launched

First vessel built for the Short Sea Routes to be fitted with a Denny Brown stabiliser.

May 18^th 1949: Delivered to British Transport Commission, Southern Region, London, England

June 13^th 1949: Left Dumbarton for Southampton

June 1949: Arrived Dover from the builders

June 22^nd 1949: Made a cruise for press, port and railway representatives between Dungeness and South Foreland Lights.

Stéphane Poulain Collection

June 23^rd 1949: Maiden voyage from Folkestone to Boulogne.

Roy Thornton Collection

1958/59 (Winter): Due to exhaust fume problems her funnel was heightened and fitted with a “fireman’s helmet” type spark arrester during an overhaul in Southampton, and her second class accommodation was improved during subsequent overhauls in 1962 and 1966.

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

August 1963: Wrapped her mooring ropes round her propellers when coming astern into No.1 berth at Folkestone. Took frogmen two days to free her.

Stéphane Poulain Collection

Roy Thornton Collection

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

1964: Left on her own when the CANTERBURY departed.

Roy Thornton Collection

1965 (summer): The fleet reserve vessel ST PATRICK joined her. FALAISE, herself, acted as relief vessel to COTE D’AZUR and INVICTA.

© Ted Ingham

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.

May 23^rd 1970: Introduced for a short time on "Golden Arrow" service between Dover - Calais.

July 20^th 1972 - July 22^nd 1972: Used as a relief vessel between Weymouth - Guernsey - Jersey.

August 7^th 1972: Final day in service between Folkestone - Boulogne.

August 9^th 1972 - September 30^th 1972: "Golden Arrow" service between Dover - Calais.

1973: Sealink trading name painted on hulls

June 28^th 1974 - July 8^th 1974: Operated between Weymouth - Guernsey - Jersey.

September 27^th 1975: Final day in service.

September 30^th 1975: Laid up in Newhaven.

Roy Thornton Collection

November 3^rd 1975: Stern damaged by collision. Damage made good.

November 6^th 1975: Towed to Spain for breaking by tug IBAIZABEL TRES

November 9^th 1975: Arrived at Santander, Steelnorte S.L., San Esteban de Pravia, Spain for scrapping.

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), Ted Ingham, Stéphane Poulain for there assistance in producing this feature.