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[Peter Fitness]

In a recent issue of Model Boats magazine there was a photo of a model of the P&O car ferry "Pride of Kent". Back in 1993 I recall going from Dover to Calais on a ferry of that name, returning on the "Pride of Bruges", during a coach tour of Europe. Are these same vessels still operating, or are there newer versions with the same names?
Peter.

[Colin Bishop]

I took the picture. The model is of the current Pride of Kent which was built as European Highway in 1991/92 and later rebuilt for the Dover/Calais service. The ship you would have travelled on was the "jumboised" ex Townsend Thoresen ship, Spririt of Free Enterprise (sister to the ill fated Herald) which was named Pride of Kent when P&O took over and continued running under that name until 2003. She was then sold and now operates in Greece.

Pride of Bruges was formerly the Pride of Free Enterprise, another Townsend Thoresen sister but was not rebuilt. She was sold by P&O in 2000.

It's quite difficult making a working model of a modern ferry or cruise ship as there isn't very much underneath to hold the high superstructure up so you run into stability problems. The model in the picture seemed to perform very well however so well done to the builder.

[John C]

I think there is another "Pride of Bruge", having recently made the crossing from Hull to Zeebruge (spelling isn't my strong point) you could see the former names of the ferries painted out.
The two ferries that ply this route are now named "pride of bruge and pride of york" but they were the"Norsea and Norsun" that used to do the Rotterdam crossing now replaced by the pride of Hull and the pride of Rotterdam.

John C

[Colin Bishop]

P&O are always renaming their ferries when they move them to another route, names are often repeated. it gets quite confusing sometimes. The history of the various ships can be found easily by Googling though.

[Bryan Young]

On a similar subject. If Ferries etc. can change their names so easily, can they also change their Port of Registry? I can understand if the vessel goes to foreign owners, but how about ships that swap around within the UK? This subject was (is?) not covered when sitting for a "Masters" certificate.

[Colin Bishop]

Yes, it would seem so Bryan. Pride of Kent is now registered at Dover but she began her operating life up North. Of course some shipowners don't bother with changes. The old Queens were registered at Liverpool to the end of their lives although their home port was Southampton

[Peter Fitness]

Thanks for the info Colin. I realise many ships have their names changed, especially if they change hands, or even after a refit. Recently, much publicity was given here to the naming of a "new" ship by former Australian Olympic athlete, Cathy Freeman. When the article was read more closely, it turns out that the ship was being renamed after a refit, and a re-allocation of "home" port, i.e., where it is being based for the cruising season, and in fact, the vessel had done many cruises in this area under its former name. The ship I refer to was formerly called Regal Princess, originally christened by Margaret Thatcher in 1991 it was renamed Pacific Dawn by Cathy Freeman, and is now based in Sydney.
Peter.

[Colin Bishop]

I tend to regard the Dover/Calais fleet as not much more than floating bridges although the new Norfolkline ships to Dunkerque are quite smart.

I much prefer Brittany Ferries on the Western Channel. Most of their vessels are a class act and the longer crossings, particularly Portsmouth/St Malo make you feel you've really been to sea. Arriving at St Malo early on a summer morning is an experience to be savoured. Unfortunately on my next trip, in a couple of weeks time, it will barely be getting light by the time we arrive but I expect that the market at Erquy 30 miles down the coast and a cafe au lait in a harbour bar will make up for it!

[cos918]

here are some photo of the ex pride and spirit hope the are so some use. I am thinking of making a 1:87 scale version of the spirit of free Enterprise. I am only at the information gathering stage. john