SRN 6 - 026 - Hovercraft - Pass Vessel UK 026 on  tailfin Southsea Terminal - 1970’s Dave Smith Collection / B Dorman  

SS BRITANIS / BRITANIS - ex Matsonia/Monterey - Passenger Cruise Ship - Chandris Line 24346/1932/Greece/5229223 Underway in The Solent - 1972 Don Smith Collection Notes:- The S.S. Britanis was a passenger cruise ship with a long history under several names, beginning as the Matson Lines' S.S. Monterey in 1931. The ship was later purchased by the Chandris Line, who renamed it Britanis and operated it as a cruise ship for decades Ship history and timeline  Early career as S.S. Monterey (1931–1970) 1931: Launched as a luxury ocean liner by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. 1932: Entered service for Matson Lines, offering voyages from the U.S. to Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.World War II: Requisitioned by the U.S. government for use as a troop transport, carrying thousands of soldiers. 1946–1956: After the war, she was laid up until Matson Lines repurchased her. She was then renamed S.S. Matsonia in 1957, operating on the San Francisco–Honolulu route. 1963: Matson changed her name to S.S. Lurline. Service with Chandris Lines as S.S. Britanis (1970–1998) 1970: Purchased by Chandris Lines and renamed S.S. Britanis. 1971–1974: Operated as a liner on the Southampton-to-Australia route.1974 onwards and Converted to a full-time cruise ship, sailing itineraries in the Caribbean and Europe. 1980's–1990's: Sailed under the Chandris Fantasy Cruises brand. She continued service well into the 1990s and became known as one of the oldest liners still in operation. 1994: Ended her cruise career. She was chartered by the U.S. government as a floating barracks for military personnel at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Final years and sinking (1998–2000)  1998: After being laid up, she was sold to AG Belofin Investments and renamed Belofin-1. October 2000: While being towed to a scrapyard in India, the ship began taking on water. The crew of the tugboat cut the ship loose, and it eventually capsized and sank off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.

SS France  - Passenger Liner /  Cruise Ship Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (French Line - CGT) 66348 grt /1960 blt / France / 5119143 Leaving Southampton - 17.8.1971 Don Smith Collection Notes:- Her maiden voyage was on 3.2.1962 as SS FRANCE 1974: The ship is first decommissioned by the French Line as the SS France. 1979: The vessel is purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), renamed SS Norway, and converted for cruising. 2003: A boiler explosion forces the ship out of service for the final time. It is laid up in Germany. 2006: Sold for scrap, the vessel is renamed SS Blue Lady for its final journey to India. 2007: Following legal battles, Indian authorities permit the ship's dismantling. Late 2008: Scrapping is completed in Alang, India. Other names   SS Norway and Blue Lady Her maiden voyage was on 3.2.1962

St.Catherine - Pass Ro Ro Ferry Sealink British Ferries Livery 2121 grt / 1983 blt / UK / 8120557 Underway Solent - 1989 Dave Smith Collection / B Dorman  

St.Catherine - Passenger Ro Ro Ferry Sealink Livery - Red Black Funnel 2121 grt / 1983 blt / UK / 8120557 Underway Solent - 1983 Dave Smith Collection  

St.Clare - Pass Ro Ro Wightlink on side 5952 grt / 2001 blt / UK / 9236949 Underway Solent -  2009 Dave Smith Collection / B Dorman  

ST.CLAIR - Pass Ferry Leaving Aberdeen - August 1974 The Don Smith Collection