29 April 2012 marks 40 years to the day since the launch of Sealink’s Hengist and Horsa, the purpose-built ferries delivered in the summer of 1972 by the naval shipyard in Brest. The sister ships saw service, primarily from their Folkestone home, until the final closure of the Folkestone-Boulogne route at the end of 1991. Thereafter, both forged remarkably successful new careers in the Aegean, where they remain in year-round operation as the Agios Georgios (Ventouris Sea Lines) and Penelope A (Agoudimos Lines).
A third, slightly modified, later sister, the Senlac, was scrapped in 2010.
In this entry we take a look back at the ships’ British careers through Sealink promotional material produced over their near two decades of service.
Great memories from living in folkestone in the early 80’s
thanks
I was Master of both the Hengist and Horsa and actually moved the Horsa from Folkestone to the Admiralty Pier after her last official voyage on the Channel service. When Stena took over my crew, my ship and myself were made redundant with 1,500 other employees of Sealink British Ferries.Most of my crew found work on the railways as the Seaman’s Union and the Railway Union had amalgamated a few years before. That I found a great comfort as Kent was in a deep recesion.
Those were very happy days and quite a challenge in adverse weather conditions.
Good old memories. Me, a Dutch girl working on the horsa, in 1989, got friends with Sara Holmes, still friends with her. Had a great time on the Horsa and a great stay in the UK. Do miss it sometimes!
Remember the vessels well, my father was a transport policeman based in the harbour, still remember one of my favorite skippers Mike O’burn, big chap, great laugh, miss those times going on board!
Im now 55 years old i worked for Brian Yeardley Continentel as a driver when i was 21 and we shipped folkestone -Boulogne with Sealink all the time, great memories fantastic friendly crew and shore staff. fond memories of the Hengist sitting it out in bad weather off Folkestone for eight hours one trip!