Mahdi

ex Huda, Brigitte S, Samir, Lassi IV, Brest (II)

© Ted Ingham

Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 1950 at Chantiers et Atol de St Nazaire, Quevilly, France (Yard No 283), as a passenger and cargo vessel for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF)

Technical Data

• Length: 72.50m (overall) 68m (between perpendiculars)
• Breadth: 10.50m
• Draught: 4.54m
• Tonnage: 1,059 gross/351 net/718 -730 deadweight
• Engines: 2 x 7 cylinder 4 stroke single acting MAN diesels
• Power: 1471kW/2000HP
• Speed: 14 knots -15 ½ knots (max)
• Capacity: 6 passengers, 60 cars (max)
• Call Sign: TOME (Brest), ODFM (MAHDI)
• Lloyds Register Number (1978 – 1979): 5051573
• Port of Registry: Dieppe/France 🇫🇷, Beirut/Lebanon 🇱🇧, Agadir/Morocco 🇲🇦 (as MAHDI)
• Sister-Ship: Nantes, Rennes II

History

March 15th 1950: Keel laid.

November 20th 1950: Launched.

November 25th 1950: Christened by Ms. Goursat.

May 24th 1951: Completed for the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français (SNCF).

May 31st 1951: Trials.

1951: Services Dieppe – Newhaven.

© Derek Longly

Roy Thornton Collection

1957: Southampton – Channel Islands route.

1958: Southampton – Channel Islands route.

March 1959 – February 1967 (except 1965): Weymouth – Channel Islands service as relief vessel.

1965/1966 (?): Relief vessel at Folkestone.

Roy Thornton Collection (left) and © Michael Woodland (right)

1967: Sold to Lebanese ship-owner J. Othon Metaxas and renamed LASSI-IV.

1967: To Samir Nav.SARL, Panama and renamed SAMIR.

1970: To Pan Arabian Trading and renamed BRIGITTE S.

1972: Renamed HUDA.

1972: Sold to Wafic Begdache. Renamed MAHDI. Whereabouts/disposal unknown

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Ted Ingham, © Michael Woodland, Derek Longly and Andreas Wörteler for their assistance in producing this feature.

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