Luxury for Drivers on New Ferry
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ANEW ferry ship, which went into operation last week, is the first to be built specially for the conveyance of loaded commercial vehicles. This vessel, the MN. " Bardic Ferry," was developed as a
spring. .
The design combines a larger carrying capacity (80-90 vehicles) with a smaller tonnage (3,000 g.r.t.) than the cxtank landing ships normally employed. An important feature is the use of Denny-Brown stabilizers—probably the first time such equipment has been provided for the benefit of cargo rather than passengers. In contrast to the bow-loading L.S.T.s, the vehicle doors arc at the stem.
The Preston-Northern Ireland route of the Transport Ferry Service, on which the " Bardic" is running, started to operate in May, 1948, with a single LS.T. on a twice-weekly service. In the first year 2,000 vehicles were carried. whereas last year the figure was 40,000. AnAthionarticulated outfit used by Ulster Ferry Transport • Ltd., drives out of the stern doors of the M.V. "Burdic Ferry."
69 Vehicles in Three Hours
Altogether 21m. deadweight tons of freight have been moved across the Irish Sea by this system. As over 60 vehicles can be taken on in three hours, it is possible to offload and reload in the time allowed by one tide.
From 1946 to 1955 an L.S.T. service was run by the Transport Ferry Service from Tilbury to Hamburg, carrying Forces equipment, but latterly this has been superseded by the Tilbury— Antwerp route. Frequencies on the service are Shortly to be increased and it is suggested that daily departures may be justified by the end of 1958.
In a large number of cases ancillary users' drivers travel with their vehicles on the Irish trip. For them the " Bardie Ferry" provides a high level of comfort Commercial drivers are charged 10s. for their passage, including food, and each may be accompanied by one mate, for whom the fare is 30s. Additional accommodation is provided at normal passeager rates.
There are 55 berths, 38 of them in the second-class section, which comprises five two-berth and seven fourberth cabins on the promenade and upper decks. All cabins are comfortably furnished, being supplied with wardrobes, hot and cold running water, and automatic heating and ventilation.
During an inaugural trip attended by B20 a representative of The Commercial Motor the Denny-Brown stabilizers were brought into action during heavy weather. These devices reduce rolling to a minimum.
The stern of the " Bardic Ferry " has been designed so that the vessel shall be able to use any B.T.0 terminal port. The stern door hinges aft, acting as a ramp and allowing vehicles to run straight from the quay on to spaces on the vehicle deck
. A total effective area of about 16,000 sq ft. is available on the vehicle deck and the upper deck aft. The vehicle .deck extends from the stern door to the collision bulkhead forward, providing accommodation equivalent to 48 trailers measuring 21 ft. by 7 ft. 6 in. and 10 average private cars. On the upper deck aft 19 containers, 17 ft. by 7 ft., two 15-ft. vans and three cars may be accommodated.
One section of the vehicle deck is designed to support a 65-ton load carried on two axles and another portion can carry 35-ton trailers.
Overall length of the " Hardie Ferry" is 338 ft., the breadth over beltings is 55 ft. and the load draught (moulded) is 12 ft. 81 in. Gross tonnage is approximately 2,700 and deadweight on a loaded draught of 12 ft. 6 in. is approximately 1,320 tons.
The owners of the ferry ship are the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., of which the Transport Ferry Service is a subsidiary.