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[Colin Bishop]

Some of you who regularly attended the Warwick shows will recall a model of Brittany Ferries mv Bretagne which was exhibited on the stands and pool and which had various working features.

The full size vessel has yesterday left the fleet after completing 35 years' excellent service and got a good send off ashore and afloat on her final voyages between Portsmouth & St Malo. There is a topic devoted to this special ship on the Ferry Fans Forum. The link below covers her final departures but the earlier posts may be of interest too. I and my family sailed on Bretagne many times following her entry into service and it is sad to see her go after an exceptional career. Many of the photos on the topic were taken by myself on our various holidays.

https://theferryforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=34&start=225

Colin

[dodes]

Hi Colin, i was a harbour control officer in the Semaphore tower in the Naval Base when she turned up brand new, at the time there was political undertones at the time because the ferries were getting bigger and more frequent and the RN were getting worried, but less said the better. She was big compared to the previous two ferries, makes one feel a bit old when you see what was new exciting vessels  finishing.

[Colin Bishop]

One of the P&O ferries did get blown into the brand new HMS St Albans in Fountain Lake in 2002. St Albans came out of a 4.5 year refit earlier this year. I think the type 23s were only intended to have a service life of 18 years but the replacements are so far behind schedule that they are having to be patched up at huge cost and St Albans is planned to remain in service until 2035 when she will be 33 years old. By that time she will probably be replaced by HMS Victory!

Colin

[Circlip]

Only 33 years?  RAF Shackletons lasted far longer than that.


 Regards  Ian.

[warspite]

shackletons flew over salt water, not sat in it 

[dodes]

Hi Colin, talking of notable  French vessels, I was browsing Ships Monthly, when I came upon an article about their naval cruiser Colbert going to the breakers. Remember when I started in the Port Auxiliary Service, working on a HLD attending to her when she was moored off Greenwich on a visit. Have some tales about that but that is another day.

[SteamboatPhil]

If I am correct Colbert was named after Admiral Colbert, we have Pont (bridge) Colbert here (designed by Eifel) also named after the Admiral, which is being restored at present

[Neil]

 I and a group of teachers and 30 kids from high school in preston sailed on one with Brittany ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo in the summer holidays of 1982. Obviously a predecessor, but cant remember her name.........any ideas please. or even a photo of the predecessor would bring back great memories.

[Colin Bishop]

Neil,

It may have been mv Prince of Brittany

https://brittany-seas-ships.jimdofree.com/brittany-ferries-past-fleet/prince-of-brittany/

or mv Armorique

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/armorique-i-past-and-present/

We sailed on both ships on our French holidays.

Colin

[Neil]

I don't remember the name but looking at the photo I'm sure it was the Prince of Brittany that was the ship we sailed too and from St Malo on.
thanks, Colin.
I remember her open stern deck,