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TS Twickenham Ferry

Roy Thornton Collection

Steel twin screw turbine steamer, one of three identical stern-loading railway ferry boats ordered by the Southern Railway in 1933 for their intended new Dover-Dunkirk ferry service. Built by Messrs. Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd., Walker-on-Tyne (Yard No. 1446), and engined by Parson’s Marine Steam Turbine Co. Ltd., Messrs. Yarrow & Co. of Scotstoun, Glasgow, providing the oil-fired boilers. Launched March 15th, 1934.

Technical Data

Length

346.8 ft (105.36m)

Breadth of Hull

60.7 ft (18.50m)

Draught

12.5 ft (loaded)

Tonnage

2,839 gross, 1,044 net, 1,200 deadweight

Engines

4 Parson’s single reduction steam turbines of 948 nominal horse power in two sets, each driving one screw.

Power

3,300 kW

Speed

16.5 knots (max), 15 knots (service)

Capacity

500 passengers, 12 sleeping cars and 2 baggage wagons (or 40 x 25-foot (7.62m) goods wagons), 25 cars.

Call Sign

N/A

MMSI Number

N/A

ID Number

5371478

Registry

N/A

History

March 15th 1934: Launched

July 1934: Delivered to Southern Railways, London, England. Delays in finishing the terminal at Dover meant she was sent to Southampton.

September 22nd 1936: Transferred to the French flag with home port of Dunkerque.

September 26th 1936: Handed over to her new owners.

October 6th 1936: Commenced service as a train ferry between Dover - Dunkerque.

August 25th 1939: Ceased in commercial traffic.

Roy Thornton Collection

August 26th 1939: Requisitioned by the British Admiralty in Dover and renamed HMS TWICKENHAM. Rebuilt as a minesweeper and transferred flag to Great Britain.

July 1940 - December 1940: Operated as a troopship between Stranraer - Larne.

March 1941 - January 1944: Operated as troopship between Stranraer - Larne.

Roy Thornton Collection

October 31st 1945: Transferred to A.L.A, Dunkerque, France. Renamed TWICKENHAM FERRY.

Roy Thornton Collection

December 1st 1945: Commenced service as a train ferry between Dover - Dunkerque.

January 1st 1948: Registered to British Transport Commission, Southern Region, A.L.A.

Roy Thornton Collection

May 5th 1974: Final day in service.

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All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions found. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Ted Ingham for his assistance in compiling this feature.