This year, Wightlink has celebrated its 100th anniversary. I know they were making some noise about it on social media, and they were flying pennants from the ferries, but I don’t know what else that they were doing to celebrate the event. When I was down on the coast, I decided to wander across and see some of the ferries in action. I wandered around to the side of Spice Island that overlooks the Gunwharf terminal.
Behind me was a view of the old slipway at Camber that they used when I was a kid. I don’t know when they closed this facility down and moved across to the larger space at Gunwharf, but I do have strong memories of waiting on the slipway at Camber as a small kid. In those days – when it was Sealink – the ferries would have a large ramp that came right down onto the slipway unlike the current level loading system (which is much better). You were able to walk down to the water’s edge while waiting and, in the dark, it could be quite a spooky place. One evening my dad managed to get us on the bridge of Cuthred which was quite a thrill for a small boy.
All three of the car ferries were in service on this holiday weekend. It was certainly windy, but they seemed to be doing fine handling the conditions. The Wight Ryder passenger ferries were also heading back and forth between Ryde Pier and Portsmouth Harbour. Watching the skill with which they manoeuvre these large ferries into the narrow entrance to the terminal is very impressive. I also love the way in which they come into the harbour and then pivot the boat on the spot as they line up. Great control of such a large vessel.
The oldest of the three boats is St Faith. The last of four of the Saint class, I don’t know how long she has before she will go the way of her sister ships. I remember St Catherine coming into service – she was known as the Super Ferry when introduced! St Faith was approaching the coast when I was along at Southsea, and she took a wide route in as a result of outbound traffic and then was thrown into a tight turn. The photo might hint at this with the heal that she has on as they turned but it looked far more dramatic in person.
I won’t forget the Yarmouth to Lymington service. Not one that I have made much use of but definitely part of the business. When the Saint class ferries arrived in Portsmouth, Caedmon was cascaded across to this service to join Cenwulf and Cenred. Now they have all be replaced by the current Wight class. Good luck to Wightlink for the next century of service. I’m sure we shall be using it regularly.
