British Railways - Sealink - Page 7: Dover & Folkestone Sevices

This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the Dover & Folkestone Services of British Railways, which was formed in 1948 with the ships from former LMS, LNER, SR and GWR fleets. British Railways was rebranded British Rail in 1965, and new corporate colours and logo were introduced. In 1968, an Act of Parliament separated the shipping interests of British Rail into a new division, for which the marketing name Sealink was adopted in 1970. In 1979, the ownership of of vessels was transferred to Sealink UK Ltd, in preparation for the privatisation of the railway fleet. In 1984, Sealink was acquired by Sea Containers Ltd, becoming Sealink British Ferries. After a lengthy battle, Stena Line completed a hostile takeover of Sealink in 1990, the company then being known as Sealink Stena Line until later absorption into the Stena Fleet.

An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table is a Fleet List in chronological order.


Ships on This Page:-
Dover - Sealink: 1978-1978 - later Earl Siward
Earl Leofric - Sealink: 1965-1981 - Dover from 1976
Earl Siward - BR/Sealink: 1965-1981 - ex-Dover
Hengist - Sealink: 1972-1990
Horsa - Sealink: 1972-1990
Invicta - BR/Sealink: 1948-1972 - built by SR in 1939
Lord Warden - BR/Sealink: 1952-1980
Maid Of Kent - BR/Sealink: 1959-1975
Maid of Orleans - BR/Sealink: 1959-1982
Normannia - BR/Sealink: 1952-1978 - Dover from 1964-1978
St David - Sealink: 1980-1984 - Dover from 1983
Vortigern - Sealink: 1969-1988

British Railways Pages:-
British Railway Steamers - BR/Sealink Header Page
British Railways/Sealink - Page 5 - Weymouth/Southampton/Portsmouth Services
British Railways/Sealink - Page 6 - Newhaven Services
British Railways/Sealink - Page 7 - Dover/Folkestone Services - this page!
South Eastern & Chatham Railway - SECR Dover/Folkestone Services
Southern Railway - Page 1 - Dover/Folkestone Services

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Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page

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powered by FreeFind Table of Ship Histories Name Other names Built Hengist Stena Hengist, Romilda, Panagia Ekatondapiliani, Express Artemis 1972 Horsa Stena Horsa, Penelope A, Express Penelope 1972 Vortigern Vortigern, Milos Express, Express Milos, Lisos Lemnos, Lemon 1969 British Railways - Sealink Page 7: Dover & Folkestone Services

Invicta
Invicta was built for the Southern Railway in 1939 and immediately joined the Admiralty for service until 1945. Ownership passed to British Railways in 1948, with whom she spent the majority of her career, so has been included on the BR page. She served on the Dover-Calais route until 1972, when she was scrapped. Invicta was 4,178 gross tons.


British Railways photographic postcard of Invicta.




Photographic postcard of Invicta.




Photographic postcard of Invicta.




British Rail postcard of Invicta.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Photographic postcard of Invicta in final colours.




Photographic postcard of Invicta in final colours.







Maid of Orleans
(BR/Sealink: 1949-1975)

Photographic postcard of Maid of Orleans at builders.




Postcard of Maid of Orleans.




Postcard of Maid of Orleans at Boulogne.




Estel postcard of Maid of Orleans at Boulogne.




Sealink postcard of Maid of Orleans.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon
Photo: Beken & Son, Cowes




Postcard of Maid of Orleans at Folkestone.




Postcard of Maid of Orleans at Newhaven.
BR/Sealink used Newhaven as a lay-up berth.







Lord Warden
(BR/Sealink: 1952-1980)

British Railways/Skyfotos postcard of Lord Warden.




Photographic postcard of Lord Warden.




Postcard of car ferry berths at Dover with Lord Warden.




Sealink postcard of Lord Warden.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon
Photo: Beken & Son, Cowes




Sealink postcard of Lord Warden.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon
Photo: Beken & Son, Cowes




Photographic postcard of Lord Warden in Sealink colours.







Maid Of Kent
(BR/Sealink: 1959-1982)

British Railways/Skyfotos postcard of Maid of Kent.




British Railways postcard of Maid of Kent.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon
Photo: Beken & Son, Cowes




Photographic postcard of Maid of Kent.




Sealink postcard of Maid of Kent.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon
Photo: Beken & Son, Cowes




Postcard of Maid of Kent.




Sealink postcard of Maid of Kent.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon







Normannia
(BR/Sealink: 1952-1978 - Dover from 1964-1978)

3543 gross tons - 309.2 feet long - 1410 passengers (later 500)

Normannia was built in 1952 for services from Southampton to Le Havre, replacing the Hantonia. She achieved 20.62 knots on trials. In 1953 Normannia spent two months at Harwich replacing the damaged Duke of York (2). In October 1962 she was replaced by the St Patrick (3) and was taken to the Tyne to be rebuilt as a stern-loading car ferry, along with the Falaise. She could carry 111 cars and a reduced capacity of 500 passengers. Normannia did not re-enter service until April 1964, now based at Dover/Folkestone. In 1965 Normannia inaugurated car ferry services at Holyhead when Holyhead Ferry I was delivered late. In 1968 she was registered to SNCF for the summer Dover-Calais services. She returned to BR in October 1968. In June 1972 she had a brief charter to Townsend for Dover-Zeebrugge service. The following summer Normannia again transferred to French registry for SNCF services, before returning to BR and running services from Weymouth to the Channel Islands and Cherbourg. She was again based in Weymouth for the 1975 season, followed by a season at Dover in 1977, leaving in January 1978. Following some relief work at Weymouth, Normannia was withdrawn in May 1978. She was sold to Red Sea Ferries of Dubai, but was broken up at Gijon without entering service.


Official BR postcard of Normannia, as delivered as a passenger ship on Southampton services.




Photographic postcard of Normannia, as delivered as a passenger ship on Southampton services.




British Railways postcard of Normannia as a car ferry at Dover after 1964.
Card posted in 1965.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Photographic postcard of Normannia, as converted to a car ferry.
In British Railways colours.




Sealink postcard of Normannia.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Photographic postcard of Normannia, as converted to a car ferry.
In Sealink colours.







Dover - Earl Siward
(Sealink: 1965-1981)

Dover was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Newcastle, entering service between Dover and Calais in September 1965. She also served between Newhaven-Dieppe and Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire. In 1978 Dover was renamed Earl Siward, returning to service on the Irish Sea, and later on Dover-Calais, Folkestone-Boulogne and to the Channel Islands from Weymouth. In 1981 she was withdrawn and laid up in Newhaven. In November 1981 Earl Siward was sold to Sol Ferries of Cyprus as the Sol Express on a service linking Brindisi, Igoumenitsa and Patras. In 1983 she was laid up in Limassol with turbine problems. In 1986 she returned to the UK for stationery use as a club in Newcastle, named Tuxedo Express.


British Rail postcard of Dover.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Sealink postcard of Dover.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Sealink postcard of Earl Siward.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon







Vortigern
(BR/Sealink: 1972-1984)
(Sealink British Ferries: 1984-1988)

Vortigern was built as a dual car and train ferry in 1969 by Swan Hunter Shipbuilding, Wallsend (on the River Tyne). She worked as a car ferry in summer between Dover and Boulogne, and as a freight ferry in winter carrying freight wagons from Dover to Dunkerque. Vortigern ran aground off Oostende in 1982. In 1984 Sealink ownership passed to Sea Containers, with Vortigern running for Sealink British Ferries on the same routes. In 1987 and 1988 she covered on Fishguard-Rosslare, Newhaven-Dieppe, Folkestone-Boulogne and Holyhead-Dun Laoghaire, and also had a brief charter to Townsend Thoresen between Dover-Calais. Vortigern was sold to Lindos Line of Piraeus in 1988 and was renamed Milos Express. In 1999 Milos Express passed to Minoan Flying Dolphins, as the Express Milos with Hellas Ferries. In 2003 Express Milos was sold to the Saos Shipping Company as Nisos Lemnos, but went to Indian breakers in the following year, under the temporary name Lemon.

Complete history of Vortigern


British Rail postcard of Vortigern.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Photographic postcard of Vortigern.




Sealink postcard of Vortigern at Folkestone.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Sealink postcard of Vortigern at Folkestone.
Later back design than the card above.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Evening photograph of Vortigern at sea in 1986.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.




Evening photograph of Vortigern at sea in 1986.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.







Hengist
(BR/Sealink: 1972-1984)
(Sealink British Ferries: 1984-1990)
(Sealink Stena Line : 1990-1992)

Hengist was built in 1972 by the Arsenal de la Marine National Francaise, Brest, for services from Dover/Folkestone to Calais/Boulogne, primarily running Folkestone-Calais/Boulogne. Her sisters were Horsa and Senlac. Hengist also ran overnight trips from Folkestone to Oostende, mainly for freight. In 1984 Sealink ownership passed to Sea Containers, with Hengist running for Sealink British Ferries on the same routes, mainly Folkestone-Boulogne. Her Oostende sailings ended in March 1985. In 1984 and 1985 she did some work at Fishguard. In 1990 Hengist passed to Sealink Stena Line as Stena Hengist. Her last period at Folkestone ended in December 1991, and she worked between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire in 1992 and also on Stranraer-Larne.

In 1992 Stena Hengist was sold to GA Ferries as Romilda, passing to Ventouris Sea Lines the following year as Apollo Express 2. In 1996 she moved again to Agapitos Lines as the Panagia Ekatondapiliani, serving Piraeus to Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini. She was sold to Minoan Flying Dolphins in 1999 for their Hellas Ferries fleet, and was renamed Express Artemis, reverting to Panagia Ekatondapiliani two years later. She was sold by Hellas Ferries to Vaggelis Ventouris in 2004, being renamed Agios Georgios. She has served Paros, Naxos and Santorini from both Rafina and Piraeus.

Complete history of Hengist


Sealink postcard of Hengist.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Sealink postcard of Hengist - bought on board Boulogne-Dover 26/10/1984
Later back design than the card above.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Postcard of Hengist in Sealink colours.




Photographic postcard of Hengist in Sealink colours.




Sealink British Ferries postcard of Hengist.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon







Horsa
(BR/Sealink: 1972-1984)
(Sealink British Ferries: 1984-1990)
(Sealink Stena Line : 1990-1992)

Horsa was built in 1972 by the Arsenal de la Marine National Francaise, Brest, for services from Dover/Folkestone to Calais/Boulogne, primarily running Folkestone-Boulogne. Her sisters were Hengist and Senlac. Horsa also ran overnight trips from Folkestone to Oostende, mainly for freight. In 1984 Sealink ownership passed to Sea Containers, with Horsa running for Sealink British Ferries on the same routes. Her Oostende sailings ended in March 1985. In 1990 Horsa passed to Sealink Stena Line as Stena Horsa, and worked between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire for that summer, and briefly in 1991, otherwise remaining on Folkestone-Boulogne.

In 1992, Stena Horsa was sold to Agoudimos Lines for a service linking Rafina, Andros, Tinos and Mykonos as the Penelope A. In 1999, her owners sold out to Minoan Flying Dolphins, and she was renamed Express Penelope in the Hellas Ferries fleet. In January 2004 ownership reverted to Agoudimos Lines and she was renamed back to Penelope A, again serving Rafina, Andros, Tinos and Mykonos. In 2004 she was damaged in a collision with the Evia Star.

Complete history of Horsa


Sealink postcard of Horsa.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Sealink postcard of Hengist - bought on board Dover-Boulogne-Dover 26/10/1984
Later back design than the card above.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon




Postcard of Horsa at Folkestone in Sealink colours.




Sealink British Ferries postcard of Horsa.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon







Holyhead Ferry 1 - Earl Leofric
(BR/Sealink: 1965-1981 - Dover from 1976)

Holyhead Ferry 1 was built by Hawthorn Leslie Shipbuilders Ltd, Newcastle, entering service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire in July 1965. She remained on this route until 1973, with winter relief work between Stranraer-Larne. She acted as relief on the Weymouth-Channel Islands routes. In 1976, Holyhead Ferry 1 was rebuilt at Swan Hunter Shiprepairers Tyne Ltd, and renamed Earl Leofric, returning to service between Dover and Boulogne. After being laid up in Newhaven from December 1980, she was sold for scrap in May 1981.


Sealink postcard of Earl Leofric.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon







St David
(Sealink: 1980-1984 - Dover from 1983)

St David was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, in 1981, entering service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire. She backed up the St Columba in busy periods, and was available for relief work at other times. In 1983 she spent 3 months on Dover-Calais, and also visited Stranraer-Larne. In 1984 Sealink ownership passed to Sea Containers, with St David running for Sealink British Ferries under the same name. In 1985, St David ran on Dover-Oostende services - Oostende services finished in December 1985. From 1986, she spent most of her time on Stranraer-Larne services, and passed to Sealink Stena Line in 1990. St David was renamed Stena Caledonia the following year. From 1995, the Irish terminal moved to Belfast, reverting to Larne in 2005.


Sealink postcard of St David.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon










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Name	Other names	Built
Hengist	Stena Hengist, Romilda, Panagia Ekatondapiliani, Express Artemis	1972
Horsa	Stena Horsa, Penelope A, Express Penelope	1972
Vortigern	Vortigern, Milos Express, Express Milos, Lisos Lemnos, Lemon	1969