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M.S.Brightlingsea
Page 3:- Restoration and Excursions
Brightlingsea
returned to service at Harwich in
2007
, and ran again in
2008
. She does not appear to be running in 2009.
This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Harwich-Felixstowe/Shotley ferry
Brightlingsea
. This page details of her return to service running excursions from Harwich in 2007.
Brightlingsea - Page 1
contains a brief overview and details of her Harwich excursions from 2007.
Brightlingsea - Page 2
gives her history in railway and private ownership up to her withdrawal in the 1990s.
Brightlingsea
was built for the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1925, by the Rowhedge Ironworks near Colchester (although her hull was wooden). She was the first new vessel delivered to the LNER, which had been formed in 1923 by the amalgamation of the Great Eastern (GER), Great Central (GCR), Great Northern (GNR), North Eastern (NER) and other railways.
Brightlingsea
was 51 gross tons, and had saloons for 152 passengers.
The Harwich-Felixstowe ferry had been inaugurated in 1912 by the GER, using the smaller launch
Pin Mill
. Later GER additions were the
Hainault
and
Epping
.
Brightlingsea
passed to British Railways in 1948. From May 1964, the service was assigned to George Goodhew's Orwell & Harwich Navigation Co, for which
Brightlingsea
operated during the summer. The smaller launch
Orwell Haven
was used in winter. In 1967,
Brightlingsea
was joined by the
Torbay Prince
of 91 gross tons, which was generally used on excursions. When I first visited Harwich in June 1976,
Torbay Prince
had moved on.
In 1979, the Goodhew concern was taken over by the Felixstowe Dock & Railway Co, which was owned by European Ferries (who also owned
Townsend-Thoresen
). In 1983/84,
Brightlingsea
was re-engined. In 1984, the Orwell Bridge was opened, providing faster road links to Felixstowe, and passenger numbers declined significantly. In 1985,
Brightlingsea
was sold to Harry Rodger, former superintendent of the Orwell & Harwich Nav.Co. She was withdrawn on August 15th of the same year due to engines problems, but reappeared the following year.
Brightlingsea
continued to maintain the route until the mid-1990s when she was denied access to her protected berth in Felixstowe Dock, due to port re-development. Eventually, the service re-opened with the landing-craft style ferry
Explorer 12
, which could run up on the beach at Felixstowe. However this location is very exposed, and the
Harwich, Felixstowe & Shotley Foot Ferry Society
continue to campaign for a protected jetty at Felixstowe, and a return to full year operations. Subsequently,
Brightlingsea
has been undergoing restoration in Woodbridge, with plans to run from Harwich again from 2007. She appeared at the
Woodbridge Maritime Festival
on 9th/10th September 2006, where she was used as a floating bar and cafe. The owners are keen to gain their passenger certificate very soon, to run some short cruises from Woodbridge before the end of the year. Bookings were invited for lunch cruises later in 2006.
On 12th August 2007
Brightlingsea
resumed harbour cruises from Harwich Halfpenny Pier, being featured on Anglia TV. The 90 minute cruise costs £12 and sails from the ferry pontoon, Halfpenny Pier, at Harwich. The tour sails out towards Languard Point, turning back to pass close along the container terminals at Felixstowe, before turning again in the River Orwell to round Shotley Point and sail towards Harwich International Port (previously Parkeston Quay) and finally back to Halfpenny Pier.
Brightlingsea
resumed 2008 services from Harwich Halfpenny Pier in May, for more details see:-
www.msbrightlingsea.com
Brightlingsea
does not appear to be running in 2009.
Contact:-
www.msbrightlingsea.com
Sections on this Page:-
Brightlingsea
- Photographs after restoration 2006
Brightlingsea
- In Service at Harwich in 2007
Brightlingsea
- In Service at Harwich in 2008
- new!
Brightlingsea
- Brochures
Brochure Archive:-
2008 Brochure
- 1mb PDF file - requires Adobe Reader
2007 Brochure
- 1mb PDF file - requires Adobe Reader
1991 Brochure
- 1mb PDF file - requires Adobe Reader
- new!
Brightlingsea Pages:-
Brightlingsea - Page 1
- Harwich Services 2007
Brightlingsea - Page 2
- History as ferry 1925-1993
Brightlingsea - Page 3
- Restoration and Service 2002-
this page
Associated Pages On Other Web Sites:-
www.msbrightlingsea.com
- Official Brightlingsea website
Associated Simplon Pages:-
Great Eastern Railway
- Continental Ferry Services from Harwich
Great Eastern Railway
- Local Ferry & Excursion Services
Harwich
- Piers, Lifeboats, Lighthouses etc
London & North Eastern Railway
- Continental Ferry Services from Harwich
Trinity House
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Brightlingsea
Brightlingsea Restored 2006
Brightlingsea
has been undergoing restoration in Woodbridge, with plans to run from Harwich again from 2007. She appeared at the
Woodbridge Maritime Festival
on 9th/10th September 2006, where she was used as a floating bar and cafe.
Brightlingsea
at Pinmill, prior to start of restoration in 2002.
Brightlingsea
at Pinmill, prior to start of restoration in 2002.
Brightlingsea
at Woodbridge Maritime Festival
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th September 2006.
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Photo: © Graham Thorne, 10th September 2006.
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Photo: © Graham Thorne, 10th September 2006.
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Brightlingsea In Service 2007
Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
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Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007
Click to open larger copy in new window
Brightlingsea
prior to loading for a Harbour Tour from Harwich
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 25th August 2007