Roy Thornton Collection Steel twin screw turbine steamer, built and engined by Denny’s of Dumbarton in 1952 (Yard No 1455) for the British Transport Commission’s cross-Channel fleet, and intended for running between the new car ferry terminals at Dover and Boulogne. Launched December 14th. 1951.
 Technical Data
Port of Registry - London IMO number - 5212191 Length on deck - 110.37m (362 ft) (overall) 105.92m (347.5 ft) (between perpendiculars) Breadth of hull - 18.50m (60.6 ft) (extreme) Depth - 5.39m (17.7 ft) (moulded) Draught - 3.95m (12.9 ft) (maximum) Tonnage - 3,333 gross 1,156 net 570 deadweight Engines - 2 Denny steam turbines, double reduction gearing, connected to two screw shafts Power/Propellers - 8,000 shp / 2 Speed - 20 knots Capacity - 1,000 passengers (reduced to 600 in May 1978 for Irish Sea crossings), 120 cars.
History December 14th 1951: Launched April 28th 1952: Sea trials (21.22 knots). April 30th 1952: Delivered to British Transport Commission, Southern Region, London, England. First drive-on drive-off car ferry (electrically, not hydraulic, operated stern doors, no ramp) to be built for British Railways’ cross-Channel service, the only other one in the fleet at the time (ignoring train ferries) being DINARD, a converted passenger ship and therefore in a different category. Anticipating the arrival of the new ship at Dover, and to avoid confusion, the Lord Warden Hotel, offices of the Divisional Manager, Southern Region, British Railways, was in February 1952 renamed Southern House. One strange feature of this vessel was that, owing to the shape of her hull, adjustable height guide rods were fitted to facilitate the lowering of her lifeboats. June 14th 1952: Made her first appearance at Dover. June 16th 1952: Made a press run to Boulogne, coinciding with the opening there of the new marine station and car ferry terminal, a facility similar to the one still under construction at Dover. She then continued Dover - Boulogne.
Roy Thornton Collection
February 1953: Only a few weeks after the loss of the PRINCESS VICTORIA in the Irish Sea, in January 1953, caused when the stern loading doors were burst open by high seas, a similar incident threatened the safety of the LORD WARDEN. Fortunately there was no tragedy this time, but soon after , the rear doors of all other vessels considered to be at risk, were strengthened. June 15th 1953: Present at the Coronation Spithead Review.
Roy Thornton Collection
June 1953: The Dover ramp became operative.
Roy Thornton Collection
September 26th 1954: A rough voyage from Boulogne to Dover was televised, the first time that a television programme was relayed direct from a ship at sea. During the course of the journey the late Richard Dimbleby, commenting on the bridge, was nearly drowned by a huge wave bursting over him. July 7th 1956: Whilst en route to Boulogne, in thick fog off Cap Gris Nez, the vessel collided with the French TAMBA, resulting in extensive bow damage.
 
In dry dock after collision with TAMBA July 7th 1956 Roy Thornton Collection
1956: When first built, her plain raked funnel was responsible for causing a down-draught of fumes, an additional part was added to it, in appearance somewhat like a fireman’s hat. This deflected the nuisance and provided more agreeable working conditions for the crew.
Roy Thornton Collection
August 1963: Switched to Folkestone - Boulogne to cover ISLE OF THANET. Dover - Boulogne cars were taken by train-ferry.
Roy Thornton Collection
October 1964: Was the first ship to be painted in the new British Rail livery of blue hull, red funnel with black top and double arrow logo.
Roy Thornton Collection
1967 (early): Her restaurant was converted into a self-service cafeteria. May 1968: Chartered as a floating exhibition centre between Copenhagen - Göteborg - Stockholm - Helsingfors - Oslo.
Roy Thornton Collection
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 were painted in the new house colours. August 2nd 1970: In Calais collided with the quayside and sent to Harland & Wolff, London for repairs.
Roy Thornton Collection
April 7th 1971: Commenced service between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire. February 2nd 1972 - February 20th : Covered the " Golden Arrow" service between Dover - Calais. 1972: Laid up in Newhaven. 1973: Sealink trading name painted on hulls May 23rd 1974 - September 30th 1974: Operated between Dover - Calais. January 20th 1975: Involved in a collision with the HENGIST in Folkestone Harbour during the course of a gale.
Roy Thornton Collection
June 14th 1975 - May 21st 1975: Operated between Dover - Calais. January 6th 1976 - October 20th 1976: Operated between Folkestone - Boulogne/ Oostende. June 1977: Operated for a short time between Newhaven - Dieppe. March 1978 - April 1978: Operated between Weymouth - Cherbourg. May 1978: Operated between Fishguard Rosslare/Dun Laoghaire. July 1978: Underwent refurbishment and repairs at Southampton. New higher/re-enforced stern doors fitted.
 
Undergoing repairs @ Southampton prior to opening summer only Fishguard - Rosslare. From Rail News, both Roy Thornton Collection
July 1978: Opened a new passenger and vehicle ferry route between Fishguard and Rosslare, operating there until September. November 1978 - December 8th 1978: Operated between Dover - Boulogne. January 1st 1979: Registered to Sealink UK Ltd. January 1979: Transferred to Holyhead/Fishguard - Dun Laoghaire service March 28th 1979: Unable to berth at Rosslare with 150 passengers and 40 cars and was forced to ride out force 10 gusts overnight in the bay. What may well turn out to be her last spell of Sealink service starts on July 13 when she is due to operate the 18.30 and then the 07.30 services from Fishguard with the 00.15 and 12.30 returns to Rosslare. This is due to terminate on September 2nd (1979) September 2nd 1979: Reverted to single sailings but four days later was required to deputise for the ST COLUMBIA which was off for attention. She ran trials on the following day but missed her afternoon sailing when more low tides prevented the LORD WARDEN from sailing from the Salt Island berth until 20.00. Arrival at Dun Laohaire was at 11.30 and she was away again at 01.20. (Sea Breezes Vol.53 No.408 December 1979). September 8th 1979: Made her last trip between Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead. From the ramp, she moved to the repair berth and thence to the rarely-used Town Quay before sailing for Newhaven at 18.00 on September 10th. September 10th 1979: Laid up in Newhaven.
Roy Thornton Collection
November 15th 1979: At about 18.00 the tug CALSHOT towed the her to Vosper’s at Southampton where she underwent a seven to ten-day refit prior to sailing eastwards. Amongst other work carried out, the new set of stern doors were removed and a ramp was substituted. November 16th 1979: Arriving at Berth 20 at about 11.00. November 19th 1979: Dry-docked at No. 7 dry dock (King George V Graving Dock).
Roy Thornton Collection
November 19th 1979: Repainted in the colours of her new owners, the Baboud Trading and Shipping Agency and was renamed AL ZAHER, registered in Jeddah. Her hull was painted mid blue and her funnel is white with a narrow black top and a broad blue band across the white portion. Inside a white circle on this band is painted a ship’s wheel. November 27th 1979: Undocked and was towed round to the Empress Dock. December 29th 1979: Due to sail from Southampton at 13.00 but at 16.30 on the previous day her Egyptian crew walked off over a pay dispute. January 2nd 1980: She finally sailed for Jeddah during the late morning. 1980:Commenced service at a sheep-transport between Jeddah - Port Sudan. April 25th 1981: Arrived at Karim Shipbreaking Industries, Gadani Beach, Pakistan for scrapping.
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