HSC Swift (GH-2010)
ex SR.N6 022
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 (all)
April 6th 1966: Inaugural service between Ramsgate – Calais.
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
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)
