Roy Thornton Collection

Steel twin screw turbine steamer, one of three identical stern-loading railway ferry boats ordered by the Southern Railway in 1933 for their intended new Dover-Dunkirk ferry service. Built by Messrs. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd., Walker-on-Tyne (Yard No. 1446), and engined by Parson’s Marine Steam Turbine Co. Ltd., Messrs. Yarrow & Co. of Scotstoun, Glasgow, providing the oil-fired boilers. Launched March 15^th, 1934.

Technical Data

ID Number - 5371478

Length on deck - 346.8 ft(105.36m)

Breadth of hull - 60.7 ft(18.50m)

Depth - 18.2 ft(5.55m)

Draught - 12.5 ft (loaded)

Tonnage - 2,839 gross

1,044 net

1,200 deadweight

Speed - 16.5 knots (max), 15 knots (service)

Engines - 4 Parson’s single reduction steam turbines of 948 nominal horse power in

two sets, each driving one screw

Power - 3,300 kW

Capacity - 500 passengers, 12 sleeping cars and 2 baggage wagons (or 40 x 25-

foot (7.62m) goods wagons),25 cars.

Call Sign - FOSA

History

March 15^th 1934: Launched

July 1934: Delivered to Southern Railways, London, England. Delays in finishing the terminal at Dover meant she was sent to Southampton.

September 22^nd 1936: Transferred to the French flag with home port of Dunkerque.

September 26^th 1936: Handed over to her new owners.

October 6^th 1936: Commenced service as a train ferry between Dover - Dunkerque.

August 25^th 1939: Ceased in commercial traffic.

Roy Thornton Collection

August 26^th 1939: Requisitioned by the British Admiralty in Dover and renamed HMS TWICKENHAM. Rebuilt as a minesweeper and transferred flag to Great Britain.

July 1940 - December 1940: Operated as a troopship between Stranraer - Larne.

March 1941 - January 1944: Operated as troopship between Stranraer - Larne.

Roy Thornton Collection

October 31^st 1945: Transferred to A.L.A, Dunkerque, France. Renamed TWICKENHAM FERRY.

Roy Thornton Collection

December 1^st 1945: Commenced service as a train ferry between Dover - Dunkerque.

January 1^st 1948: Registered to British Transport Commission, Southern Region, A.L.A.

Roy Thornton Collection

May 5^th 1974: Final day in service.

© Ted Ingham

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: Ted Ingham for his assistance in producing this feature.