Townsend-Thoresen Ferries Postcards 1974-87

This page is devoted to postcards and photographs of the passenger ferries of Townsend-Thoresen delivered from 1975, starting with the "Super Vikings". Earlier deliveries are shown on this link. Freight ferries, and ships with limited passenger accommodation are shown on the Townsend Thoresen Freight Ferries page. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order.

Townsend-Thoresen was formed in 1968 when Townsend Brothers Ferries combined with Thoresen Car Ferries. The company was acquired by P&O Ferries in 1987. This page only shows postcards in Townsend-Thoresen colours - the earlier history of ships acquired at the amalgamation are shown on the Townsend Brothers Ferries and Thoresen Car Ferries pages.


Ships on This Page (1975-1987):-
Dragon (1985-1986) - later Ionic Ferry
Herald Of Free Enterprise (1980-1987)
Ionic Ferry (1986-1987) - ex-Dragon
Leopard (1985-1986)
Pride Of Dover (1987)
Pride Of Free Enterprise (1980-1987)
Panther (1985-1986)
Spirit Of Free Enterprise (1979-1987)
Tiger (1985-1986)
Viking Valiant (1975-1987)
Viking Venturer (1975-1987)
Viking Viscount (1976-1987) Viking Voyager (1976-1987)

Earlier Ships (1968-1974):-
Free Enterprise I (1968-80)
Free Enterprise II (1968-80)
Free Enterprise III (1968-84)
Free Enterprise IV (1969-1987)
Free Enterprise V (1970-1987)
Free Enterprise VI (1972-1987)
Free Enterprise VII (1973-1987)
Free Enterprise VIII (1974-1987)
Viking I (1968-1976) - later Viking Victory
Viking II (1968-1984)
Viking III (1968-1982)
Viking Victory (1976-1983)

Associated Pages:-
Townsend Thoresen 1968-74
Townsend Thoresen Freight Ferries
P&O Ferries
Thoresen Car Ferries
Townsend Brothers Ferries
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

Search This Website:-
powered by FreeFind Table of Ship History Pages
Name Other names Built Dragon Ionic Ferry, Viscountess/Charm M, Millenium Express II 1967 Free Enterprise Free Enterprise I, Kimolos, Ergina, Methodia II, Kallisti 1962 Free Enterprise I Free Enterprise, Kimolos, Ergina, Methodia II, Kallisti 1962 Free Enterprise II Moby Blu 1965 Free Enterprise III Tamira, Mona's Isle, Al Fahad 1966 Free Enterprise IV Falster Link, Tag Al Salam 1969 Free Enterprise V Pride of Hythe, Laburnum, Tagla 1970 Free Enterprise VI Pride of Sandwich, Pride of Ailsa, Pride of Al Salam 95 1972 Free Enterprise VII Pride of Walmer, Pride of Rathlin, BSP III 1973 Free Enterprise VIII Pride of Canterbury, Romilda 1974 Ionic Ferry Dragon, Viscountess/Charm M, Millenium Express II 1967 Leopard Countess M, Dimitra A, Mega I, Talya I 1967 Panther Djursland, Lasse, Lasse II, St Sunniva, Faye 1972 Tiger Kattegat (II), Ålandsfärjan 1972 Viking I Viking Victory, European Glory, Neptunia, Media II 1964 Viking II Earl William, Pearl William 1964 Viking III Terje Vigen, Scandinavia, Fenno Star, Sandefjord 1965 Viking Valiant Pride of Le Havre, Pride of Cherbourg (2), Pride of Al Salam 1 1975 Viking Venturer Pride of Hampshire, Pride of El Salam 2 1975 Viking Victory Viking I, European Glory, Neptunia, Media II 1964 Viking Viscount Pride of Winchester, Vitsentzos Kornaros 1976 Viking Voyager Pride of Cherbourg (1), Bañaderos, Barlovento 1976 Townsend-Thoresen
Fleet List - 1975-1987



Viking Venturer (1975-1987)

Viking Venturer was built in 1975 by Aalborgs Værft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark, for service between Southampton and Le Havre. The UK port later transferred to Portsmouth. In 1985 Viking Venturer was substantially rebuilt with an extra vehicle deck by Schichau Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven, creating one of the ugliest ships of all time. In December 1987, ownership passed to P&O European Ferries, and in 1989 she was renamed Pride of Hampshire. In 1994 her route was transferred to Portsmouth-Cherbourg, when P&O chartered the two ex-Olau ferries for Le Havre services. Pride of Hampshire was replaced by the new Pride of Cherbourg (3) (ex-Isle of Innisfree) in 2002, and was sold to El Salam Maritime as the Pride of El Salam 2.

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.


Generic official postcard of a "Super Viking", showing Viking Venturer on maiden arrival.
Note lack of exhaust pipes, and no additional lounge under the mainmast.
Publisher: Photo Precision (serial: R5266)


Postcard of Viking Venturer on maiden arrival.
Publisher: Le Goubey (serial: 10189)


A later photograph of Viking Venturer.
The ship now has exhaust pipes, and an additional lounge under the mainmast.
Photo: © FotoFlite.


Photograph of Viking Venturer, with later white funel logo.
Photo: © FotoFlite.


Photograph of Viking Venturer, being rebuilt at Bremerhaven in 1985.
Photo: © Christoph Podloucky.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.


Photograph of Viking Venturer, being rebuilt at Bremerhaven in 1985.
Photo: © Christoph Podloucky.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.


Generic official postcard of a rebuilt "Super Viking", actually showing Viking Venturer.
Publisher: Fincom (serial: EXC 007)


Photograph of Viking Venturer, after rebuilding.
Photo: © FotoFlite.


Photograph of Viking Venturer, with P&O funnel colours.
Photo: © FotoFlite.






Viking Valiant (1975-1987)

Viking Valiant was built in 1975 by Aalborgs Værft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark, and initially served between Felixstowe-Zeebrugge. She was transferred to the South Coast in 1976 for routes from Southampton to Le Havre and Cherbourg. The UK port later transferred to Portsmouth. In 1985 Viking Valiant was substantially rebuilt with an extra vehicle deck by Schichau Unterweser AG, Bremerhaven, creating one of the ugliest ships of all time. In December 1987, ownership passed to P&O European Ferries, and in 1989 she was renamed Pride of Le Havre. In 1994 her route was transferred to Portsmouth-Cherbourg, and she was renamed Pride of Cherbourg (2). She was replaced by the new Pride of Cherbourg (3) (ex-Isle of Innisfree) in 2002, and was briefly renamed Pride of Cherbourg A until sold to El Salam Maritime as the Pride of El Salam 1.

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.


Official Townsend Thoresen generic "Super Viking" postcard, showing ship Viking Valiant.
Publisher: J.Arthur Dixon (serial: L6/SP.6374)


Photograph of Viking Valiant.
Photo: © Fotoflite.


J.Kettler postcard of Viking Valiant leaving Le Havre.


Cromo postcard 106/4 of Viking Valiant at Zeebrugge.


Photograph of Viking Valiant. being rebuilt at Bremerhaven.
Photo: © Christian Eckardt.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.


Photograph of Viking Valiant. being rebuilt at Bremerhaven.
Photo: © Christian Eckardt.
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.


Enlarged image from a postcard of Viking Valiant at Le Havre, with P&O funnel colours.






Viking Voyager (1976-1987)

Viking Voyager was built in 1976 by Aalborgs Værft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark, for service between Felixstowe-Zeebrugge. She was transferred to the South Coast in 1986 for routes from Southampton to Le Havre and Cherbourg. The UK port later transferred to Portsmouth. From 1985 Viking Voyager primarily ran to Cherbourg, when Le Havre services passed to the the two rebuilt sisterships Viking Venturer and Viking Valiant. In December 1987, ownership passed to P&O European Ferries, and in 1989 she was renamed Pride of Cherbourg (1). In 1994 she was renamed Pride of Cherbourg II, releasing her name for Pride of Le Havre (1) which took her place on the Cherbourg route. Later that year she was sold to Lineas Fred.Olsen for Canary Isles services as Banaderos, and from 2000 as Barlovento.

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.


Van Mieghem postcard (serial: 8380 Z 11) of Viking Voyager at Zeebrugge.


Ramsey postcard (serial: 32) of Viking Voyager.
Photo: © Philip Cone.






Viking Viscount (1976-1987)

Viking Viscount was built in 1976 by Aalborgs Værft A/S, Ålborg, Denmark, for service between Felixstowe-Zeebrugge. She was transferred to the South Coast in 1986 for the route from Southampton to Cherbourg. The UK port later transferred to Portsmouth. In December 1987, ownership passed to P&O European Ferries, and in 1989 she was renamed Pride of Winchester. In 1989 she spent some time on the Dover-Calais route. In 1994 she was sold to Greek owners Lasithiotiki Anonymi Naftiliaki Eteria (L.A.N.E.). She was renamed Vitsentzos Kornaros, and used on the Lane Lines route Piraeus-Agios Nikolaos, Crete.

A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

Photograph of Viking Viscount.
Photo: © Fotoflite.





Spirit Of Free Enterprise (1979-1987)
Herald Of Free Enterprise (1980-1987)
Pride Of Free Enterprise (1980-1987)





Panther (1985-1986)
Tiger (1985-1986)

Panther and Tiger were built as the Djursland (II) and Kattegat (II) in 1972 for Jydsk Færgefart, for use on their Grenå-Hundested route. In 1974 Djursland (II) was transferred to the Juelsminde-Kalundborg Line as Lasse II. Djursland (II) and Lasse II were sold to Normandy Ferries for Dover-Boulogne services in 1978 and 1979, becoming the Tiger and Panther. In January 1985, P&O Ferries' Channel operations (ie Normandy Ferries) were sold to the European Ferries group. The Tiger and Panther were then absorbed into the Townsend Thoresen fleet and painted in their orange livery. When retired in June 1986, they were both laid up in Chatham. nf Panther was then sold back to P&O Scottish Ferries in March 1987as the St Sunniva. nf Tiger was sold to Viking Line as the Ålandsfärjan.

Complete ship histories are available of nf Tiger and nf Panther.

Photograph of nf Panther.
Photo: © FotoFlite.



I do not have any postcards showing Panther or Tiger in Townsend-Thoresen colours.
If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk





Dragon (1986-1986)
Ionic Ferry (1986-1987)

Dragon was built for Normandy Ferries in 1967 by Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, Nantes. Her registered owners were the General Steam Navigation, part of the P&O group. Dragon served on the Southampton-Le Havre route until 1984 when the UK port was changed to Portsmouth. In 1985, Normandy Ferries was sold to European Ferries (Townsend-Thoresen). A year later, Dragon was renamed Ionic Ferry and moved to the Cairnryan-Larne route. In 1987, European Ferries were bought by P&O, and marketed as P&O European Ferries, eventually receiving full P&O livery.

In 1992, Ionic Ferry was sold to Marlines and renamed Viscountess M for a Patras-Ancona/ Brindisi service. She was later renamed Charm M and ran Patras-Igoumenitsa-Bari. She was sold in 1997, serving as Memed Abashidze and Med. Her career was effectively ended by a fire in 2002 when serving as Millenium II for Access Ferries.

A complete ship history is available on this link.


Chantry Classics postcard, serial CC/S170, of Leopard leaving Portsmouth in Townsend-Thoresen colours.
Photographed by Walter Sartori.
Chantry Classics are now published by Harold Jordan.






Leopard (1985-1986)

Leopard was built for Normandy Ferries in 1968 by Ateliers et Chantiers de Bretagne, Nantes. Her registered owners were Soci�t� Anonyme de Gerame et d'Armencent, (S.A.G.A.), and she flew the French flag. Leopard served on the Southampton-Le Havre route until 1984 when the UK port was changed to Portsmouth. She also ran Le Havre-Rosslare services. From 1976, ownership was P&O Normandy Ferries. In 1985, Normandy Ferries was sold to European Ferries (Townsend-Thoresen). A year later, Leopard was sold to Marlines and renamed Countess M. She was sold in 2000, serving as Dimitra A and Mega I. In 2002 she began service as Talya I between Brindisi-Cesme.

A complete ship history is available on this link.


Simplon Postcards, serial 4.1, of Leopard leaving Portsmouth in Townsend-Thoresen colours.
This card was issued as part of a set of six cards, 4.1 to 4.6, titled Ferries of Portsmouth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 1985.
Pride Of Dover (1987) P&O Ferries - Thoresen Car Ferries - Townsend Brothers Ferries Townsend Thoresen 1968-74 - Townsend Thoresen 1975-87 - Townsend Thoresen Freight Ferries Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards Top of Page - Simplon Postcards Home Page �1999-2013 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved

Name	Other names	Built
Dragon	Ionic Ferry, Viscountess/Charm M, Millenium Express II	1967
Free Enterprise	Free Enterprise I, Kimolos, Ergina, Methodia II, Kallisti	1962
Free Enterprise I	Free Enterprise, Kimolos, Ergina, Methodia II, Kallisti	1962
Free Enterprise II	Moby Blu	1965
Free Enterprise III	Tamira, Mona's Isle, Al Fahad	1966
Free Enterprise IV	Falster Link, Tag Al Salam	1969
Free Enterprise V	Pride of Hythe, Laburnum, Tagla	1970
Free Enterprise VI	Pride of Sandwich, Pride of Ailsa, Pride of Al Salam 95	1972
Free Enterprise VII	Pride of Walmer, Pride of Rathlin, BSP III	1973
Free Enterprise VIII	Pride of Canterbury, Romilda	1974
Ionic Ferry	Dragon, Viscountess/Charm M, Millenium Express II	1967
Leopard	Countess M, Dimitra A, Mega I, Talya I	1967
Panther	Djursland, Lasse, Lasse II, St Sunniva, Faye	1972
Tiger	Kattegat (II), Ålandsfärjan	1972
Viking I	Viking Victory, European Glory, Neptunia, Media II	1964
Viking II	Earl William, Pearl William	1964
Viking III	Terje Vigen, Scandinavia, Fenno Star, Sandefjord	1965
Viking Valiant	Pride of Le Havre, Pride of Cherbourg (2), Pride of Al Salam 1	1975
Viking Venturer	Pride of Hampshire, Pride of El Salam 2	1975
Viking Victory	Viking I, European Glory, Neptunia, Media II	1964
Viking Viscount	Pride of Winchester, Vitsentzos Kornaros	1976
Viking Voyager	Pride of Cherbourg (1), Bañaderos, Barlovento	1976