© John Jones Steel twin screw motor vessel, intended primarily as a commercial vehicle ferry, built and engineered by Schichau Unterweser A.G., Bremen (Yard No. 2275) in 1977 for the Monarch Steamship Company, like Townsend’s, a subsidiary of the European Ferries Group. Launched December 22nd, 1977.
 Technical Data
MMSI Number - 210981000 IMO Number - 7711139 Registry - Dover (1977), Hamilton (1997), Limassol (2002) Length on deck - 118.15m (388 ft) (overall) 107.56m (352.9 ft) (between perpendiculars) Breadth of hull - 20.27m (66.5 ft) (extreme) 19.90m (65.3 ft) (moulded) Depth - 11.64m (38.2 ft) (moulded) Draught - 5.80m (19.0 ft) (maximum) Tonnage - 3,767 gross (pre “69”), 8,097 (“69”) 1,029 net, 2,429 (“69”) 2,281 deadweight, 3,767 (pre “69”), 2276t (“69”) Engines - Two 5,700 bhp 9-cylinder Stork-Werkspoor TM 410C four-stroke single-acting diesels Power - 8592 kW Propelling System - 2 screw propeller controllable pitch LB 10.00 @ 280 rpm Fuel Capacity - 298m³ Speed - 18.5 knots Capacity - 132 passengers (1977), 107(1997) 76 x 15m Commercial trailer (1996) 46 x 15m commercial trailers (2002) Call Sign - GXXJ (1977), ZCBN6 (1997), P3JY9 (2002)
History December 22nd 1977: Launched, fourth of the “European” class of vessels, but not a direct sister to the earlier trio. Other than appearance, fitted with fin stabilizers. April 27th 1978: Delivered to Townsend Car Ferries Ltd., Dover (Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd., London), England. April 28th 1978: Maiden voyage. April 29th 1978: Commenced service between Dover - Zeebrugge. 1984: A new TT logo, in white, was introduced on the funnels.
© Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic)
1987: Following the “HERALD” disaster, from spring onwards, pale blue funnels with P & O flag logo became the norm.
 
© Brian Fisher (left) and  © Ken Larwood (right)
1987: Work carried out included a split stern door so that she is able to use other ramps at Dover. October 1987: Change to P & O European Ferries navy blue hull and funnel.
© Brian Fisher
December 17th 1987: Renamed EUROPEAN ENDEAVOUR. She still served the Dover routes.. December 31st 1987: Registered to P&O European Ferries Ltd., Dover, England. February 1988: Laid up owing to National Union of Seaman’s strike June 1988: Resumed service Dover - Zeebrugge.
Calais 12/04/1992. © Andreas Wörteler
March 15th 1991: Sold to Abbey National Leasing, England. Bare-boat chartered to P&O European Ferries Ltd. December 1992: Transferred to cover refits of the Felixstowe - Europort vessels 1993 (winter): Spells at Felixstowe and Larne.
Calais 12/04/1992. © Andreas Wörteler
1994: Became the company relief ship, covering overhauls throughout the fleet. March 17th 1994: Supplement Dover - Zeebrugge/Calais
  
© Brian Pawley
April 24th 1995 - May 1995: Operated between Europort - Felixstowe. May 1995: Operated between Dover - Calais.
© Joe @ Ferry Fantastic
September 25th 1995: Transferred to the Larne/Cairnryan service increasing the capacity from 2 to 3 vessels.
© Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web)
1996:The headroom on the upper vehicle deck was increased to 5 meters, allowing double deck trailers to be accommodated. June 8th 1997 - June 26th 1997: Commenced service with Pandoro between Dublin - Fleetwood - Cherbourg. 1997: Port of registry was changed from Dover, UK to Hamilton, Bermuda and shortly afterwards she had a Spanish crew. Also Ardrossan and Fleetwood services from Larne, as well as the Rosslare to Cherbourg…. 1998: Alterations to upper decks accommodation at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. 1998: Commenced service with P&O Irish Ferries between Cairnryan - Larne. July 17th 2002: Final day in service between Cairnryan - Larne.
© Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web)
July 20th 2002: Departed Larne. July 2002: Dry-docked at Dunkerque July 2002: Sold to TransEuropa Ferries. July 22nd 2002: Taken over by her new owners and renamed GARDENIA. 2002: Port of registry changed to Limassol, Cyprus.
© Andreas Wörteler
2002: Major refit/refurbishment and livery change at Ostend. December 2002: To dry-dock at ARNO Dunkerque. December 26th 2002: Survey at Dunkerque. December 28th 2002: To Ostend. January 15th 2003: Maiden voyage and commenced service between Ostend - Ramsgate.
 
© Nigel Thornton
April 6th 2005: Antwerp for refit. April 16th 2005: Expected return from refit. 2006: Registered owner recorded as; Odyssy Maritime Co. Ltd (TransEuropa Ferries). August 2006: Currently still in service Ostend - Ramsgate.
 
17/04/2006. © Ray Goodfellow
March 3rd 2007: To ARNO, Dunkerque for refit.
 
Dunkerque 03/03/07 © Robert Fournier
June 20th 2007: Rumours circulating that she had been sold to Baltic Scandinavian Lines appeared to be false. 16th May 2008: Owing to engine damage the Gardenia is laid up in Ostend awaiting repairs. 17th July 2008: Following repairs to her damaged engine the Gardenia re-enters service between Ostend and Ramsgate for Trans Europa Ferries.
Ramsgate, July 23rd 2008. © Nigel Thornton
January 22nd 2009: To ARNO Dunkerque for refit. January 30th 2009: Returned to service.
© Nigel Thornton
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