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Hythe Ferry - Hythe-Southampton Ferries - Simplon Postcards
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This website has no connection with any shipping company, cruise line, boat operator or other commercial organisation
Hythe-Southampton Ferries
General Estates
Southern Coastcraft
Waterfront Ferry (Derrick Shipping)
White Horse Ferries
This one of a series of pages devoted to postcards and photographs of the ferries between Hythe and Southampton, plus the Hythe Pier Tramway. This page covers the ferries,
Hythe Pier
covers the pier and publicity material. There is an alphabetical list of
ferries on this page
, plus a table of selected
individual ship histories below
. For details of sailings see
www.hytheferry.co.uk
Short History of the Hythe Ferry
Maps dating back to 1575 have shown the existence a Hythe ferry, although the local boatmen would have been carrying passengers and goods to and from Southampton for many years before this. Steamer services from Southampton to the Isle of Wight began in 1820, and the wooden steamship
Emerald
began a service to Hythe in 1830, also serving Cowes.
Emerald
was the first excursion steamer at Southampton, running one hour trips on occasion, and also the first advertised tug available for towing. The profit from the Cowes run and these other activities resulted in the withdrawal of the Hythe service in 1832. Services restarted with the iron
Forester
in 1835. Other ships followed, including
Gipsy, Prince Alfred, Lady Elizabeth, Louisa
and
Frederica
, the latter pair being owned by Frederick Fry. Few profits were made, partly due to problems with tides, services at this time running from the Hard. The solution was to build a pier.
Initial plans for a 2000 foot pier at Hythe were lodged in 1870, but Parliamentary permission was not granted until 1878. The company had the lengthy title of Hythe Pier and Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company Ltd, not becoming the Hythe Pier Company until 1923. Construction began in 1879, and the pier was opened in 1881. Ferries used after the opening of the pier included the
Louisa
and
Frederica
, previously owned by Frederick Fry. The first
Hotspur
was built in 1889, an 80 ft paddle steamer with a single cylinder oscillating engine. She was followed by the similar
Hampton
in 1894, which had a two cylinder compound engine. Both ships could carry around 200 passengers. Ferry services were later run by the General Estates Company, formed in 1900. This was owned by the Percy family, a famous member of which, immortalised by Shakespeare, had been known as 'Harry Hotspur'. The use of this name in 1889 indicated early involvement of the Percy family.
Hotspur (1)
and
Hampton
were joined by the 40 ft motor launch
Hamble
, carrying 60 passengers, in 1915.
The second
Hotspur
, a twin screw 80 ft motor vessel, in 1927, and she was certified for 300 passengers.
Hotspur (2)
was built by Samuel White at Cowes. The original machinery installation was not successful, and was replaced with a steam engine in 1932.
Hotspur (2)
survived with the company until 1947, when the
Hotspur IV
was delivered. She was then used as an excursion steamer at Yarmouth until 1961, after which she was used as a moored club in London as the
Yard Arm Club, Emma Hamilton
and
Hispaniola
, being removed in the mid-1970s.
Hotspur II
followed in 1932, built by the Rowhedge Ironworks. She was 56 ft long, carrying 300 passengers, and ran until 1978, when she was sold to Clyde owners as the
Kenilworth
.
Hotspur III
was similar to
Hotspur II
, again a product of the Rowhedge Ironworks. They also built the
Hotspur IV
in 1946, which was larger at 64 ft long and 350 passengers (now 300).
Hotspur II
and
Hotspur III
were re-engined with Gardner diesels, similar to those in
Hotspur IV
,
in 1949. All three ships were re-engined again between 1968 and 1971 with more powerful Kelvin diesels, increasing the speed of
Hotspur IV
from 8.5 to 9.5 knots.
The
Southsea Queen
from the
Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company
was bought in 1978 and renamed
Hythe Hotspur
. She was used mainly on excursions, but could act as relief ferry.
Hotspur III
was broken up in 1981. The waterbus style
New Forester
was delivered in August 1982. She used the 1971 Kelvin diesels from
Hotspur III
. Ownership of the ferries, previously General Estates, changed a number of times from 1980, first to Southern Coastcraft, then Waterfront Ferry, and finally White Horse Ferries.
Hythe Hotspur
was sold in 1995, passing to Harveys of Poole, followed by
New Forester
in 1999, which went to the River Dart. White Horse Ferries moved their
Great Expectations
from their Tilbury-Gravesend service to join the
Hotspur IV
. In 2006, the Town Quay terminal moved temporarily to the Red Funnel fast ferry berth, since the previous berth needed work (under way in 2007).
Great Expectations
and
Hotspur IV
maintain services in 2007.
Contact:-
www.hytheferry.co.uk
Hythe Ferry Pages:-
Hythe Ferries
-
this page
Hythe Pier & Tramway
-
opens new page
Hythe Publicity Material
-
opens new page
www.hytheferry.co.uk
- official company website
Ferries on this Page:-
Great Expectations
Hotspur (1)
- (1889-1927)
Hampton
- (1894-1936)
Hamble
- (1914-19??)
Hotspur (2)
- (1927-1947)
Hotspur II
- (1932-1978)
Hotspur III
- (1938-1981)
Hotspur IV
- (1946- )
Hythe Hotspur
- (1978-1995)
New Forester
- (1982-1999)
Associated Pages:-
Blue Funnel Cruises
Hovertravel
Portsmouth Harbour Ferries
Portsmouth Harbour Tours
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
www.hytheferry.co.uk
- official company website
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References:-
The Hythe-Southampton Ferry
-
W.M.Stears & B.Moody - Eltrac 1962
Trip Out Guides
-
Written and published by G.P.Hamer - various editions from 1977 to 2005 consulted
Table of Ship Histories
Name
Other names
Built
Great Expectations
1992
Hotspur IV
1946
New Forrester
Baltic Star
,
Golden Star
1982
Hythe Ferries
Hotspur (1)
(1889-1927)
The first
Hotspur (1)
was built in 1889, an 80 ft paddle steamer with a single cylinder oscillating engine. She was built at Plymouth for James Percy - the Percy family who later owned the General Estates Company.
Hotspur (1)
was 80 ft long and 62 gross tons. She was renamed
G.E.C.
in 1927, releasing the name for
Hotspur (2)
.
G.E.C.
was soon sold. Her engines were removed and the hull left to rust away.
London View Company postcard of
Hotspur (1)
.
Click to open larger image in new window
Photograph of
Hotspur (1)
.
Hampton
(1894-1936)
The first
Hotspur
was built in 1889, an 80 ft paddle steamer with a single cylinder oscillating engine. She was followed by the similar
Hampton
in 1894, which had a two cylinder compound engine. Both ships could carry around 200 passengers. They were joined by the 40 ft motor launch
Hamble
, carrying 60 passengers, in 1915. Hampton was sold to Dutch shipbreakers in 1936.
Postcard of
Hampton
at Hythe Quay.
Click to open larger image in new window
Postcard of
Hampton
Click to open larger image in new window
F.Copeland postcard of
Hampton
at Hythe Quay, posted 15th July 1920.
Click to open larger image in new window
Hamble
(1914-19??)
Hotspur (1)
and
Hampton
were joined by the 40 ft motor launch
Hamble
, carrying 60 passengers, in 1915.
No photos available yet.
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Hotspur (2)
(1927-1947)
The second
Hotspur
, a twin screw 80 ft motor vessel, in 1927, and she was certified for 300 passengers.
Hotspur (2)
was built by Samuel White at Cowes. The original machinery installation was not successful, and was replaced with a steam engine in 1932.
Hotspur (2)
survived with the company until 1947, replaced by the
Hotspur IV
. She was transferred to associated company the Yarmouth & Gorleston Steamboat Company who retained her until 1961, after which she was used as a moored club in London as the
Yard Arm Club, Emma Hamilton
and
Hispaniola
, being removed in the mid-1970s.
Postcard of
Hotspur (2)
arriving at Hythe.
Click to open larger image in new window
Hotspur II
(Hythe: 1932-1978)
Kenilworth
(Clyde: 1978- )
Hotspur II
was built in 1932 by the Rowhedge Ironworks in Essex. She was 56 ft long, carrying 300 passengers, and ran until 1978, when she was sold to Clyde owners as the
Kenilworth
.
Hotspur III
was similar to
Hotspur II
, again a product of the Rowhedge Ironworks. They also built the
Hotspur IV
in 1946, which was larger at 64 ft long and 350 passengers (now 300).
Hotspur II
and
Hotspur III
were re-engined with Gardner diesels, similar to those in
Hotspur IV
,
in 1949. All three ships were re-engined again between 1968 and 1971 with more powerful Kelvin diesels, increasing the speed of
Hotspur IV
from 8.5 to 9.5 knots.
Postcard of
Hotspur II
when new with no funnel.
Click to open larger image in new window
Dearden & Wade postcard 1200 of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Click to open larger image in new window
Dearden & Wade postcard 1200 of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Variation on the card above
Click to open larger image in new window
Forest postcard 1233 of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Click to open larger image in new window
Frith postcard HTE.24 of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Click to open a larger image in new window
Fantastic Tuck postcard SHN15 of
Hotspur II
at Southampton with Queen Elizabeth and BOAC flying boat.
The flying boat is Short Hythe G-AGJN
Hudson
(converted Sunderland)
Click to open larger image in new window
Postcard of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Click to open larger image in new window
Postcard of
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Southampton docks with the QE2 in the background.
Click to open larger image in new window
Duncan photographic postcard of
Hotspur II
.
Click to open larger image in new window
Hotspur II
at Hythe Pier.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
Click to open larger image in new window
Hotspur II
moored off Hythe Pier.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17/9/1977
Hotspur II
arriving at Hythe Pier.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
Click to open larger image in new window
Duncan photographic card of
Kenilworth
on the Clyde.
Colourmaster postcard R80633 of
Kenilworth
on the Clyde.
Kenilworth
on the Clyde.
Kenilworth
on the Clyde.
Hotspur III
(1938-1981)
Hotspur III
was similar to
Hotspur II
, again a product of the Rowhedge Ironworks. They also built the
Hotspur IV
in 1946, which was larger at 64 ft long and 350 passengers (now 300).
Hotspur II
and
Hotspur III
were re-engined with Gardner diesels, similar to those in
Hotspur IV
,
in 1949. All three ships were re-engined again between 1968 and 1971 with more powerful Kelvin diesels, increasing the speed of
Hotspur IV
from 8.5 to 9.5 knots.
Hotspur III
was broken up in 1981, after a corr0ded keel plate was discovered and considered beyond economic repair. The waterbus style
New Forester
was delivered in August 1982. She used the 1971 Kelvin diesels from
Hotspur III
.
Harvey Barton postcard E11E of
Hotspur III
at Hythe Pier.
Hotspur III
at Hythe Pier.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, May 1975
