FerriesHoverlloydPast and Present

HSC Swift (GH-2010) – Past and Present

GH - 2010

HSC Swift (GH-2010)

ex SR.N6 022

Nicolas Lévy Collection
Nicolas Lévy Collection

“Winchester Class” (SRN.6) Mk I Hovercraft built in 1966 by British Hovercraft Corporation, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, England (022) for Hoverlloyd Ltd., Ramsgate, England 

Technical Data

  • Length: 14.80m (overall)(1966), 17.80m (1972)
  • Beam: 7.70m (overall)
  • Height: 3.80m (overall on landing pads)
  • Height : 4.57 (Landed)
  • Skirt Depth: 1.22m
  • Cabin Size: 6.62m (length), 2.34m (breadth)
  • Cabin headroom: 1.83m (@ centre line)
  • Weight: 10 tons
  • Engines: Rolls Royce Marine “Gnome” gas turbine
  • Power: 671kW/1050 bhp
  • Speed: 52 knots (over calm water), 30 – 35 knots (average service)
  • Endurance: 3.5 hours
  • Operational Limits (Sea State): 1 – 1.5m
  • Operational Limits (Beaufort) : 6
  • Capacity: 38 passengers or 3 tonnes of freight
  • Sisters: HC Sure (025), HC Britannia (024),+++

 


History

Nicolas Lévy Collection Nicolas Lévy Collection 

Nicolas Lévy Collection (all)

April 6th 1966: Inaugural service between Ramsgate – Calais.

Nicolas Lévy Collection Nicolas Lévy Collection Nicolas Lévy Collection Nicolas Lévy Collection  

Nicolas Lévy Collection (all)

April 30th 1966: Full service between Ramsgate – Calais.

May 9th 1966: Hit a stanchion at Calais and shipped to England for repairs.

Nicolas Lévy Collection

Nicolas Lévy Collection

October 1966: Winter suspension of service.

1967: Re-introduced between Ramsgate – Calais.

March 30th 1968 – April 19th 1968: Returned to British Hovercraft Corporation who trialled her in Finland and Denmark.

June 1968: Returned to Hoverlloyd for one month whereupon it was decided she was not viable for passenger operations. Returned to British Hovercraft Corporation.


We would like to thank: Nicolas Lévy for his assistance in producing this feature. All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions.

Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)

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