Roy Thornton Collection

Steel twin screw turbine steamer, built and engined by Hawthorn, Leslie, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1965 (Yard No. 757) for the British Railways Board’s (London Midland Region’s) Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire service. Launched February 17^th, 1965.

D i m e n s i o n s / T e c h n i c a l  D a t a

ID Number - 6508470

Length on deck - 112.47m (369 ft) (overall)

105.61 m (346.5 ft) (between perpendiculars)

Breadth of hull - 17.43 m (57.2 ft) (extreme)

Depth - 10.52 m (34.5 ft) (moulded)

Draught - 3.03 m (12.9 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage - 3,879 gross

1,461 net

870 deadweight

Engines - Pametrada steam turbines supplied by Hawthorn Leslie, double-reduction gearing, connected to two screw shafts.

Power - 12000 S.H.P.

Speed - 19.5 knots

Capacity - 1,000 passengers, 150 cars (1965)

725 passengers, 205 cars (1976)

Crew - 75 (1965 for Short International Voyages)

Call Sign - GRJH (1965 - )

H i s t o r y / R e m a r k s

February 17^th 1965: Launched

July 1965: Delivered to London Midland Region, London, England.

July 19^th 1965: Commenced service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire. February 14^th 1966 - March 26^th 1966: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.

March 27^th 1966 - January 8^th 1967: Operated between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

January 9^th 1967 - January 20^th 1967: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.

January 21^st 1967: Commenced service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

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 would in the future be painted in the new house colours.

Matt Murtland (HHV Ferry)

June 27^th 1970 - September 19^th 1970: In addition to her Holyhead sailings operated between Heysham - Dun Laoghaire.

December 1972: Continued to maintain service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

1973: Sealink trading name painted on hulls

March 2^nd 1973: Relieved Weymouth - Channel Islands.

January - February 1973: Service at Dover.

May 1973: Commenced service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

December 1973: Service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire. Suffered a choked oil pipe on her first trip and spent 4 hours off the Irish coast.

March 18^th 1974 - April 11^th 1974: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.

April 1974: Service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.

June 1974: DOVER exchanged for the HOLYHEAD I. The change was brought about by the need to provide more vehicle capacity at the port owing to unexpectedly heavy bookings

This is the second season in succession this has happened, for the two ships were originally destined for their “own” routes throughout the 1974 season

November 28^th 1974 - December 19^th 1974: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.

March 3^rd 1975: Took the first sailing of the revised commercial vehicle ferry which had been seasonal and now became one round trip daily (not Sundays) all year round.

January 1976 - September 1976: Rebuilt at Swan Hunter Ship-repairers Tyne Ltd.

September 1976: Renamed EARL LEOFRIC.

Stéphane Poulain Collection

September 23^rd 1976: Arrived at Dover for berthing trials and took over from the chartered R.M.T. car ferry ARTEVELDE three days later on the first day of the winter timetable.

September 25^th 1976: Commenced service between Dover - Boulogne.

October 14^th 1976: Took 20 hours on a Boulogne-Dover passage in the worst Channel gales of the year.

December 27^th 1977 - January 18^th 1978: Operated between Newhaven - Dieppe.

February 21^st 1978: Spent a short time serving on the Irish Sea 02 21. Collided with pier in Dun Laoghaire and holed her bow visor.

February 26^th 1979: On a journey from Calais to Folkestone, collided with a breakwater.

September 29^th 1979 - October 1^st 1979: Sailed to Rouen for her overhaul as there was no dock available at Dunkirk.

Roy Thornton Collection

October 27^th 1980: Final day in service between Dover - Calais. Laid up in Newhaven.

© Andy Gilbert

November 9^th 1980 - December 17^th 1980: Operated between Dover - Calais.

December 1980: Laid up in Newhaven.

May 1981: Sold to Desguaces Aviles, San Esteban de Pravia, Spain for breaking.

May 30^th 1981: Towed to Desguaces Aviles, San Esteban de Pravia, Spain by tug ADELANTADO for breaking.

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions.

We would like to thank: Andy Gilbert, Matt Murtland (HHV Ferry) and Justin Merrigan (Sealink-Holyhead) for there assistance in producing this feature.

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