© Fotoflite, Roy Thornton Collection

Steel triple screw vessel built for Townsend Thoresen in 1974 by Verolme Scheepswerf, Alblasserdam, N.V., near Rotterdam (Yard No. 862), a part of Verolme United Shipyards. Engined by Stork-Werspoor Diesel, Amsterdam. Launched April 6^th, 1974.

Technical Data

Registry - Dover, United kingdom (1974 - 1993), Greece (1993 - )

IMO Number - 7368499

Length on deck - 123.60m (385.5 ft) (overall)

110.00m (361.1 ft) (between perpendiculars)

Breadth of hull - 19.45m (63.9 ft) (extreme)

Depth - 11.13m (36.5 ft) (moulded)

Draught - 4.39m (14.4 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage - 5,170 gross

2,635 net

1,268 deadweight

Engines - Three 8-cylinder Stork-Werkspoor four stroke single acting diesels with

double- reduction gearing, connected to two screw shafts.

Power - 9710 kW

Speed - 19 knots

Capacity - 1,200 passengers, 350 cars ,24 freight (60 from 1987)

Call Sign - GUEN (1974 - 1993), SVAI (1993 - )

History

April 6^th 1974: Launched.

July 1974: Delivered to Townsend Car Ferries Ltd., Dover, England.

July 18^th 1974: Maiden voyage for Townsend Thoresen between Dover - Calais/Zeebrügge.

1976: “Thoresen” orange was for all ships hulls and funnels eventually became dark green with orange TTF company logo.

© John Jones

1980: Commenced service between Dover - Zeebrügge.

1983: Accommodation up-rated to come in line with the new “Spirit” class.

1984: A new TT logo, in white, was introduced on the funnels.

© Brian Fisher

1987: Following the “HERALD” disaster, from spring onwards, pale blue funnels with P & O flag logo became the norm.

© Fotoflite, Roy Thornton Collection

October 1987: There was a change to P & O European Ferries navy blue hull and funnel.

October 28^th 1987: Renamed PRIDE OF CANTERBURY.

© Fotoflite, Roy Thornton Collection

December 4^th 1987: Commenced service between Dover - Boulogne.

December 31^st 1987: Registered to P&O European Ferries Ltd., Dover.

January 1988: Damaged her stern while berthing at Boulogne. Sent to Vlissingen for repairs. Lost part of her damaged rudder and had to make for dry dock at Calais. Remained there owing to NUS strike.

February 1988: Laid up at Vlissingen’s Scheldeport, owing to seaman’s strike

April 1988: Laid up in Calais and offered for sale.

August 19^th 1988: Resumed Dover - Boulogne.

March 15^th 1991: Sold to Abbey March Leasing Ltd, London, England. Bareboat-chartered back to P&O European Ferries.

January 4^th 1993: Closure of Boulogne route. Final service between Dover - Boulogne. Sailed to Tilbury again offered for sale.

 © Brian Pawley

March 1993: Sold to GA Ferries, Piraeus, Greece. Renamed ROMILDA.

 © Brian Pawley

April 8^th 1993: Arrived in Piraeus.

© Sebastiaan Toufekoulas

1993: Commenced service between Piraeus and the Greek Islands.

© Benoit Donne

March 16^th 2004: Collided with the quayside in Naxos, suffered minor damage to her bow.

© Aleksi Lindström

2007: Remains in service.

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: Benoit Donne, Brian Fisher, John Jones, Aleksi Lindström, Sebastiaan Toufekoulas, Brian Pawley and Andreas Wörteler for their assistance in producing this feature.