A hydrofoil service between Cowes and Southampton was officially announced on 12th April 1965 – 60 years ago today.
It was intended to open the hydrofoil service on 17th May and continue until late September. The operators were to have been Cosmic Shipping Ltd, which were associated with Jersey Lines – operators of the Channel Islands ferries.
The hydrofoils were to have been built by in Britain by International Aquavion. The Ministry of Transport granted a passenger certificate for the route.
The hydrofoil to be used was the gas turbine driven Cyra, capable of carrying 40 passengers at 40 mph. It was said the new craft would cut the journey time between Cowes and Southampton from an hour to 20 minutes.
Fares were planned to be the same as for the regular ferries: 7s (35p) single, 11s (60p) return. Mr Cowasjee, managing director of Jersey Lines, said he hoped to carry 50,000 passengers that summer.
In the event, hydrofoils – which were built in Italy – were first introduced into service in 1969 by Red Funnel. They started to be replaced by Red Jet catamarans in 1991, with the last hydrofoil leaving service in 1999.
On the same date, Portsmouth Corporation’s Trading Sub-committee approved the start of a hovercraft service between Ryde and Southampton. The hovercraft were to have been operated by Britten Norman of Bembridge.
The hovercraft service between Ryde and Portsmouth commenced operations in July 1965, using a pair of SR.N6 hovercraft leased from British Hovercraft Corporation, which could seat up to 38 passengers.
It was originally planned to run a summer seasonal service but such was the demand from regular travellers and commuters that the service became a year-round one.
Excellent article.
Well, it’s a tantalising start to an article.
What happened to International Aquavion?
How did Red Flannel get their sticky hands on the route?
How were Portsmouth Corporation involved in a route from Ryde to Southampton?
Perhaps Mr Whitmore could do a little more research…
Very true.