BS: Hastings Hovercraft

Subject: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:18 AM

I have found two photographs from early 1960s of a hovercraft arriving on the beach at Hastings.

Does anyone remember it? Where did it go to? When did it stop operating?

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:28 AM

Townsend Car Ferries (in association with their subsidiary company, P & A Campbell Ltd) were quick to examine the use of hovercraft on cross Channel operations. Their SR.N6 (024) was named Britannia and was delivered on 14th June, running from the North East corner of the Camber in Dover Harbour to Calais.

The orders from Hoverlloyd and Townsend epitomised the optimism of the time although an early casualty was Townsend Car Ferries whose service lasted less than three months before weather and technical problems forced cross-Channel operations to close on 27th July. Thereafter operations were limited to two summer seasons of joy rides from beaches along the South coast of England. Hoverlloyd, though, did complete its cross-Channel schedules during the summers of 1966 and 1967.

From the Hovercraft Museum website.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 11:55 AM

I have travelled across the channel in one, and if you imagine what it must be like being inside a washing machine, but dry. That's what it felt like to me. Not an enjoyable experience by any means, albeit quick.
I remember they used to run from Pegwell Bay.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 12:32 PM

Back then I loved them, found them new and exciting. Went across the channel several times and also across to the Isle of Wright. I remember my friend and I got one hell of a bumpy ride across from Ryde to Southsea? and were bumped about a lot. A few hours later, one sank with loss of life.(March 1972). I took a party of kids to France for a day on one...they were emotionally disturbed and they had great fun. I still think they are excellent. There might be a new one crossing the Forth of Firth I believe.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 01:00 PM

Is that anywhere near the Firth of Forth Eric?

☺☻

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Nov 09 - 03:12 PM

I have travelled from England to France and return by hovercraft and the weather wasn't too great. However somebody told me to keep my eyes at all times looking at the horizon and you wouldn't get sick. It worked, but by god it was bumpy.

Channel Tunnel is my favourite now.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 12:10 PM

i've found some more info...

There was also a flight to Dover on alternate days.
More info

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 12:43 PM

I was very very sick on the outward journey to France back in the late 1970s. The crowd I went with insisted on a visit to the obligatory disco in the evening. I don't know which I hated more!

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 01:12 PM

The Newhaven-Dieppe catamaran is a pretty good substitute for a hovercraft if you enjoy an "interesting" experience in bad weather (contents of bar shelves flying out onto deck, etc). But sign up quick, looks like the operator wants to move the boats somewhere more profitable.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Will Fly
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 01:46 PM

I thought the Newhaven-Dieppe cat service had been withdrawn.

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: GUEST,eric the viking
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 03:13 PM

Haha John....you are very right !!! I've just seen what I had written, a typed Spoonerism (fool) !! So much for being a literate foreigner !!

Just be glad it's not the Pentland Firth, that would be a rough crossing

Subject: RE: BS: Hastings Hovercraft
From: Arnie
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 10:36 AM

I used to work at Dover Hoverport in the '90's - it was quite an amazing sight watching these huge hovercraft lumber up out of the sea and onto the concrete apron. Hoverlloyd (from Pegwell Bay) and Seaspeed (Dover Eastern Docks)combined to form Hoverspeed, but unfortunately they eventually ran out of spare parts and the hovercraft were replaced by Seacats (catamarans). The hoverport still exists but sadly it's only used as a lorry park these days. I still recall the anecdote about the American tourist who refused to get off the hovercraft at Dover, as his ticket gave London as the final destination. He believed that the hovercraft would travel up the motorway, which it was capable of doing but the other road users may not have appreciated it. Eventually he was persuaded to join the other passengers on the coach that was to take them on to London. Happy days!