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December 12th 1979: Launched.
© Jurgen Stein
After all three identical sisters went into service each had their own distinguishing paintwork:
Initially the “Spirit” had green bridge roof with white vents together with a green top to the lift housing on the starboard side, to the rear of the funnel. The “Pride” had a green bridge roof with “Townsend” orange vents and orange lift housing, the “Herald” white bridge roof, vents, lift housing together with black surrounds to the bridge windows.
May 1980: Delivered to Townsend Car Ferries Ltd., Dover, England.
May 29th 1980: Commenced service between Dover - Calais, also Dover - Zeebrugge.
July 10th 1980: “As Dover rushed on towards its frantic summer, the two German - built Townsend-Thoresen sisters continued to plough their way across the Channel and the HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE crossed to Calais in a force 8 gale in 54 minutes 53 seconds (pier to pier) thus breaking her sister’s previous best by nearly a minute. The twins really are an impressive sight in the Strait. With their rounded , blunt bows, they seem to bulldoze their way across and “appear to swallow their loads with the greatest of ease”. (John Hendy, Sea Breezes Vol.54 No.417 September 1980)
January 31st 1983 - February 19th 1983: Paid an unexpected call to her builders at Bremerhaven having aggravated pier damage caused in early December (1982). No dry dock was necessary but plating on the starboard side was renewed and the deck plating behind straightened out.
September 1983: Switched onto the route Dover - Zeebrugge deputising for the FREE ENTERPRISE VIII, herself away at an Amsterdam refit.
1984: A new TT logo, in white, was introduced on the funnels.
Nigel Thornton Collection
“It was an unusual and interesting experience crossing to Zeebrugge in the “Herald” and although perhaps her accommodation is not really suited to the longer run to the Belgian port, at this time of year passenger loadings are usually light and the extra space availability to the passengers was a pleasant bonus. In spite of the few passengers and the longer crossing, the stewards busied themselves with cleaning and polishing and were justifiably proud of their ship. Down in the engine room, the engineers had closed the starboard engine down to renew the fuel injectors and but even running on two engines we managed the crossing in a very creditable four hours and eight minutes. The “Herald’s” senior master, Capt. John Martin pointed out that this was one of the ways in which he felt the Townsend - Thoresen “Blue Riband” trio are superior to the Sealink vessels on the Dover - Calais route: in the event of engine trouble it was possible to shut one engine down and still keep to schedule…….
The enthusiasm and pride of the captain were plainly evident ---- he expects high standards from those around him and they readily respond by giving it. The “Herald” could not be faulted and even some 10 months after her last refit, she was in remarkably fine condition both inside and out. She was a delight to sail in.” (John Hendy, Sea Breezes Vol.58 No.457 January 1984).
March 3rd 1985: Went for refit.
November 8th 1986: Moved back to Dover - Calais, as cover.
 
© Brian Fisher
1987: Switched to Dover - Zeebrugge. Also announced that she was due to have cabins fitted during her refit.
February 1987: During her refit received a new video lounge and cabins in the area of her present “B” Deck bar.
On the 6th of March 1987 the history of two small towns and that of the United Kingdom and Europe was changed forever thanks to one incident. That incident was the capsize and loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise in the frigid waters of the Southern North Sea outside the Belgium port of Zeebrugge.
There are many accounts with regards to the Herald and as explained in the introduction I am not going to go into detail.
There were many stories of horror and heroism and for all the people involved in this incident time is a great heeler but some wounds will never heel.
To those who perished that
night may you all rest in peace. | 
Technical Data
History
