Despite her regrettable demise, one cannot hide from the fact that the Apollon was in rather ropey condition in her final few years. However, if one overlooked the exploding toilets and scratched under the surface the former Senlac was, in fact, probably the best ‘preserved’, in terms of fixtures, fittings and artworks, remaining ex-Sealink ship operating in Southern Europe.
THE GOOD




THE BAD





THE UGLY
Lastly, we cannot let the chance slip by to have a morbid look at the Senlac’s end in Aliaga, Turkey. The photographs by and copyright of Selim San require no real comment but note that the ship, originally next to the all-black F Diamond (ex-Tor Hollandia) is actually being broken up at a different location having been re-sold between breakers. In the process she has managed to have her port side bridge wing completely ripped off – it can be seen hanging over the forecastle.






This latter, most unfortunate, image did however ring a vague bell – compare and contrast the above with this slice through sister ship Horsa from an early Sealink poster…

Aaah, Matt, the memories, the memories…
Ann
Sad goodbye to an old friend.
Although it’s six years ago, it’s interesting to see the fate of her. I spent a lot of weekends in the marina opposite Senlac 1985-86, and traveled on her to Dieppe once. The soot from her and Chartres regularly stained the teak deck on my dad’s boat, and the distinct chatter the bow-thrusters made when the ship turned 180 degrees in the channel at Newhaven were unmistakeable.
A lot of history in those exposed bulkheads.
At least she spent her last days in the sun.