The docks were redeveloped under Dutch rule (1815 - 1830). The railway station was originally called Parkeston Quay. However, these services were prone to cancellation in bad weather, with passengers re-directed to the car ferry. Built 1969 as the British Rail train/vehicle ferry for Dover and Folkestone, Vortigern usually sailed as train ferry in winter (to Dunkerque), and car ferry in Summer. The docks were redeveloped under Dutch rule (1815 - 1830). Taking the ferry to France With up to 23 sailings a day at peak times, unbeatable on-board services, and friendly staff to help out every step of the way, it’s never been easier to get a ferry to France with our Dover to Calais crossing – so what are you waiting for? P&O Ferries also operate a regular bus service from outside the Terminal to Dover … Any tourists interested in military history should head to the harbour, where you can visit the Russian submarine, ... Zeebrugge beach stretches nearly as far as Ostend. These included the steamers Prince Charles (270 troops), Prince Leopold (255 troops), Princesse Astrid (247 troops), Princesse Josephine Charlotte (210 troops), Prince Baudouin (384 troops), Prins Albert (350 troops), and Prince Philippe (350 troops). It provid… The Prins Filip cost $100,000,000, and at 28,828 gross register tons was the largest ferry operating on the short sea routes of the English Channel from 1991 to 2001 (with the introduction in the latter year of the Seafrance Rodin). They were popular with connecting rail passengers, and a supplement was payable. History. The paddle steamer Marie Henriette was wrecked on 24 October 1914 on rocks while attempting to enter Barfleur with 650 wounded military personnel on board. Damage took six weeks to repair. Important for the image of the town was the attention it started to receive from the Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II. © Urbain Ureel. October 1987: The agreement with Townsend Thoresen (The European Ferries Group) was duly passed on to P&O European Ferries and was due to end in December 1990: The Ostend ships all received the Townsend Thoresen orange colours and carried their trading name. January 1985: Renamed AZUA. Dover is a town and major ferry port in Kent, South East England. 1987: Sold to Dag … The British tourists had discovered Flanders in the late-19th-century when Ostend Belgium was a day-trip (by steamship) away from Dover UK. Owing to the great competition with lines serving Calais, Dunkirk, Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland, RMT upgraded their fleet through the years, from paddle steamers to turbine steamers, diesel motor vessels, and finally high speed ferries. 11 Over the past century, Dover’s grown to become the world’s busiest passenger port, with 16 million travellers, 2.1 million lorries, 2.8 million cars and 86,000 coaches passing through it each year. The British tourist had discovered Flanders earlier, in the late 19th century, when Ostend was only a day-trip by steamer away from Dover. The mail boats have been very important for many generations in Ostend. Among the survivors was Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte II. Vortigern was built as a dual car and train ferry in 1969 by Swan Hunter Shipbuilding, Wallsend (on the River Tyne). Dover - Zeebrugge. [7], After the fall of Belgium and France in June 1940, vessels of RMT were taken into the Royal Navy for use in the landing ship infantry role. Then, passengers were required to catch the train in London, alight in Dover, embark on the night sleeper ferry, disembark at the Continental port and then catch a … On 28 February 1997 the Belgian state closed an important and historical period concerning transport of passengers from and to the UK. One and a half century later.It starts in the steam- and steel period and ends at the beginning of a new revolutionary era. [7] In 1966 well over 600,000 accompanied vehicles travelled through Dover's Eastern Docks en route to France or Belgium. This page was last modified on 24 December 2019, at 12:22. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. 12 The Dover Harbour Board is one of the oldest corporations still in existence in Britain. February 1st 1958: Launched. On 14 June 1966 Townsend Car Ferries launched Britannia to cross from Dover but bad weather and technical problems saw that service withdrawn by … RMT ferries saw use in both world wars. In 1974, with the adhesion of the UK to the EU, commenced the ferry service (cars and passengers) Zeebrugge-Hull. Routes. At Ostend, direct international rail connections ran daily as far as Cologne, Berlin, Vienna, Copenhagen and Moscow. In August 1974 she collided with a ramp at Dover Eastern Docks, temporarily rendering it unusable. Vortigern ran aground off Oostende in 1982. In 1838, a railway connection with Brussels was constructed and Ostend became a transit point to England a few years later when the first ferry sailed to Dover. [6], When RMT began transporting automobiles and lorries as well as passengers, cars had to be loaded onto a steamer's aft deck and offloaded again using a quay crane. I cancelled the booking and was told that I would recive a fully refund. [8], After the war, the surviving ships were returned to RMT. One RMT paddle steamer, Flandre, fell into German hands and was employed by them as a depot ship. Many of the assets were sold to Transeuropa Ferries which revived the route between Ramsgate and Ostend, first as a freight-only service, and subsequently taking passengers and cars. During 1987/88, a new Train Ferry Berth on Admiralty Pier, costing £2.8m, was constructed by W A Dawson. Roy Thornton Collection. On 14 June 1966 Townsend Car Ferries launched Britannia to cross from Dover but bad weather and technical problems saw that service withdrawn by July. Dover and Ramsgate port had connections with Ostend and they began running commercial ferries to the town and reopened it to British tourists. A trip on a car ferry from Dover, Kent to Boulogne, France on the SS Maid of Kent. The docks were redeveloped under Dutch rule (1815 - 1830). As part of the city of Ostend the port was founded in 1584 when … The first official crossing ever under the Belgian state took place in 1846, a history spanning 151 years. [3], A major shift in propulsion took place in 1905 with the construction of RMT's first turbine steamer, Princesse Elisabeth.[4]. The town is the administrative centre of the Dover District and home of the Port of Dover. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in … October 7th 1970: Leaving Dover she rammed and sank the two-year-old coaster SEACON (200 tons, owned by Sea & Continental Waterways Transport Ltd., London). We plan to return the ferry to the UK and restore her to her former glory days of Sealink travel. The ferry terminal area is built upon reclaimed land. Later, the paddle steamer Princesse Clementine and turbine steamer Princesse Elisabeth were employed as fast military transports between Dover and ports in Flanders, whilst the paddle steamer Rapide and turbine steamer Stad Antwerpen saw service as hospital ships. History. In 1838, a railway connection with Brussels was constructed and Ostend became a transit point to England a few years later when the first ferry sailed to Dover. The last crossing (from Zeebrugge-Bruges Belgium to Hull England) ended a 46-year-long history. "Regie voor Maritiem Transport - Page 2: RMT Turbine Steamers - Simplon Postcards", "Regie voor Maritiem Transport - Page 3: RMT Diesel Passenger Ferries - Simplon Postcards", "Regie voor Maritiem Transport - Page 4: RMT Diesel Car Ferries - Simplon Postcards", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Regie_voor_Maritiem_Transport&oldid=991214930, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 November 2020, at 22:19. I then booked another ferry from Dover to Dunkirk, saving £40.00. On Tuesday evening, the last ferry to link Flanders and England set sail from Zeebrugge to Hull, the final voyage of a 46-year-long history. Our fastest and most popular ferry crossing, our Dover to Calais route takes only 90 minutes, allowing you to explore Europe at your leisure. First though, something about the ship itself. In 1993, RMT went into partnership with Sally Line transferring its UK terminal from the Port of Dover to the Port of Ramsgate. In addition to traditional car ferries, RMT also operated two Boeing Jetfoils (for foot-passengers only) that reduced crossing times from 4 hours to 100 minutes. The original Dover Train-Ferry dock closed on 8 May 1987 and the area used as a depot for importing aggregates for road making. As part of the Sealink consortium, Regie voor Maritiem Transport connected Oostende railway station with Dover Western Docks (the Sealink and Southern Region of British Rail) terminal. The story of the Train Ferry dock goes back to 1869 when the original Cross-Channel sleeper service was introduced. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Ostend, SABRE - The Society for All British and Irish Road EnthusiastsHome - Discuss - Digest - Discover - Help, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Ostend, https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Dover_-_Ostend_ferry&oldid=602952, Pages using DynamicPageList parser function, After 1993 this ferry and destination transferred to sail from. The accident was attributed to the harbour lights having been unexpectedly extinguished. There have been ferries from Dover to Ostend at many points in history since 18461, although the route isn't currently in operation. The company's newest vessel at the time, the turbine steamer Ville de Liège, was used as a fast evacuation transport (technically not a hospital ship, as the steamer was armed and painted in dazzle camouflage). The inrush of water caused a boiler explosion, and the Comtesse de Flandre sank with a loss of 15 lives, of whom four were passengers. Ostend became a transit harbour to England in 1846 when the first ferry sailed to Dover. Regie voor Maritiem Transport (RMT) was the Belgian state-owned ferry service and operated ferries on the Ostend-Dover route under the name Oostende Lines. Flandre was scuttled at Ostend upon the withdrawal of German troops in October 1918. ... Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings. Ferry services to Dover began in 1846, with Ostend being the hub for the Regie voor Maritiem Transport until 1997. Taking The PRINS PHILIPPE Sealink/RMT ferry from Ostend, Belgium to Dover and then a coach trip from Dover to Folkestone. A rare accident for the company occurred when the RMT paddle steamers Princesse Henriette and Comtesse de Flandre collided in heavy fog on 29 March 1889 when both attempt to avoid collision with a fishing smack offshore between Ruytingen and Dunkirk. 1987: Renamed ROVINGA. Early in the First World War, the turbine steamer Jan Breydel evacuated Elisabeth of Bavaria, Queen of Belgium and the royal children on 28 August 1914. Ostend grew in stature during the reigns of the Belgian Kings Leopold I and Leopold II, who both liked to spend their vacations in the city. Ostend grew in stature during the reigns of the Belgian Kings Leopold I and Leopold II, who both liked to spend their vacations in the city. There are 6 ways to get from Dover to Ostend by train, night bus, bus, car ferry, tram, car or car train. The harbor of Ostend would cooperate fully to get the ship back to Oostende. On 28 February 1997 the Belgian state closed an important and historical period concerning transport of passengers from and to the UK. Service was greatly improved in 1936 when the turbine steamer Ville de Liège was renovated as a roll on-roll off car ferry and renamed London-Istanbul. Review by gazw@dy68sn.fslife.co.uk which was changed to Harwich Parkeston Quay in 1934 when the new Parkeston Quay West station was opened to service operations at the west end of the quay and it was changed to its current name Harwich International in 1995. The Port had its own railway station, and a hotel was built between the northern platform and the quay, the hotel building is now used as offices. December 13th 1967: Returned to commercial service, Ostend – Dover. Q: Is there a taxi rank within easy access to the Ferry Terminal? HMS Prince Philippe was lost in a collision on 15 July 1941, whilst HMS Prince Leopold was sunk by a U-boat on 29 July 1944. With 6 departures per week, a 4.5 hour crossing time, both ports boasting superior locations and motorway standard access, our new route offers a quality option to the short sea freight market. October 5th 1979: Keel struck. It was because Ostend had a good rail link to Brussels and Cologne. May 18th 1986: Took up service between Ostend – Dover. June 1980: Delivered to Engström & Larson, Lysekil, Sweden. Discover the world through photos. Sally Line ferries was founded in 1981 and operated between Ramsgate and Dunkerque. She worked as a car ferry in summer between Dover and Boulogne, and as a freight ferry in winter carrying freight wagons from Dover to Dunkerque. During the American Revolution Ostend became a free port. However, this itself closed in 2013 and there is currently no car ferry between South East England and Belgium. Dear Visitor, The 151 story starts in 1846 and ends in 1997. The docks were redeveloped under Dutch rule (1815 - 1830). An older steamer, Princesse Marie José, was employed as an auxiliary patrol vessel. [5], After augmenting the fleet postwar with additional turbine ferries, RMT received its first diesel ferry, Prince Baudouin, in 1934. Designed to accommodate vessels of 23-metre beam it could be modified to allow ships of 30 metres beam. During the American Revolution Ostend became a free port. Both monarchs liked to spend their holidays in Ostend. Between 1985 and 1990, RMT operated in partnership with European Ferries under the Townsend Thoresen and P&O badges, and subsequently independently, as Oostende Lines. Service was inaugurated between Ostend and Dover on 4 March 1846, by the paddle steamer Chemin de Fer, which was later renamed Diamant.[1][2]. June 1982: Lengthened at Finnboda Varv, Nacka (parly rebuilt at Oskarshamns). January 1984: Chartered to Seaboard Shipping and renamed ROVINGA. 1969: Operated sailings Ostend – Harwich together with Ostend – Dover. MS Pride of Calais was a cross-channel ferry owned and operated by P&O Ferries.She operated the Dover–Calais route between 1987 and 2012. Later, vessels of the line evacuated diplomats, troops and important officials before the fall of Antwerp. However, inferior road and rail connections did not help the company's financial position and contributed to its financial losses and eventual closure. Many of the line's ships were built at Antwerp by the shipyard of SA John Cockerill. June 1980: Chartered out for services in the Caribbean. Princesse Henriette rescued 32 survivors, including 19 passengers. A: There's a taxi rank directly outside the Passenger Terminal where passengers arriving from the Continent can hire a cab to the railway station or elsewhere. There are 4 ways to get from Ostend to Dover by train, bus, car, car ferry or car train. In close cooperation with the harbor of Ostend, a real ship repair spot is being set up next to Hangar 1. After one month, she retook service in the route Ostend-Dover. Ferry services to Dover began in 1846, with Ostend being the hub for the Regie voor Maritiem Transport until 1997. The resort tourism developed in Ostend for the first time. P&O Ferries - dover-zeebrugge. The Port of Ostend (Dutch: Oostende) is situated in Ostend, West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium.The port services freight transport between Ostend and Ramsgate, Ipswich and North Killingholme Haven.. In 1949 the company took delivery of the motor vessel Prinses Josephine Charlotte, the first of a series of car ferries.[9]. In response to the announcement of the Channel Tunnel project, RMT ordered one of the first cross-channel super ferries. All aboard. The first two roll-on/roll-off ferry berths in the Eastern Docks were opened on 30 June 1953, with the first ferry, the Sealink Dinard departed for Boulogne on 3 July 1953. The last crossing (from Zeebrugge-Bruges Belgium to Hull England) ended a 46-year-long history. I wouldn't have got into Ostend until midnight, effectively wasting my first days holiday. Later she became more associated with Folkestone-Boulogne, but sailed to Oostende as well. In 1974, with the adhesion of the UK to the EU, commenced the ferry service (cars and passengers) Zeebrugge-Hull. Princesse Henriette struck Comtesse de Flandre on the starboard side, just abaft the paddle box, nearly slicing the vessel in half. After restoration we will use the ship for tourist tours at sea and the canal and to represent Oostende on various maritime activities at home and abroad. The UK arm of Sealink was privatized in 1984, and disagreements with the new owners of the UK operation led to RMT leaving the consortium. The standard timetable for most of the 1980s and 90s saw six crossings per day in each direction. Roy Thornton Collection (both) (Postcard – Photo View left)(Postcard – Editions VOG right) June 2nd 1958: Commenced service between Ostend – Dover. Sealink Historic Ferries are looking to promote the history of cross channel travel, and to do this our plans are to rescue the forma Sealink Ferry Horsa which has been moored in Greece for the past three years. For the last few years until its demise in February 1997, the ferries from Ostend went to Ramsgate instead of Dover in partnership with Sally Line. May 28th 1958: Delivered to Belgian Maritime Transport Authority, Oostende, Belgium. In October 1970 she rammed and sank the 200-ton coaster ship Seacon; damage took six weeks to repair. Furthermore, the city was also easily accessible to (mainly English) tourists thanks to the Ostend-Dover ferry line. Jan 29, 2013 - Photo-sharing community. Unable to stem heavy financial losses, the Belgian government took the decision to close the company in 1997. Our newest freight service, Dover to Zeebrugge. Owing to its lower speed, the line's oldest vessel at the time, the paddle steamer Belgique (built in 1862) was employed during the war in more militarily protected waters as an ammunition transport between Southampton and Le Havre. Description C/Us of signs reading Boulogne, Calais and Ostend; high angle M/S of cars lined up and waiting to drive onto a ferry, pan left and up to show the white cliffs of Dover beyond. An October 1854 meeting of American envoys led to the Ostend Manifesto. British Side Between 1993 and 1998 there was also a service to Ostend but this was moved to Dover and the Sally ceased operations in 1998. Nonetheless, the opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 led to shorter transit times across the Channel for cars and freight, while new high-speed Eurostar services running directly between London and Brussels rendered traditional rail-sea-rail journeys obsolete. The first official crossing ever under the Belgian state took place in 1846, a history spanning 151 years. So popular was the resort with the Brits, that Anglicised pubs, bed and breakfasts, and English catered events began popping up, gradually earning it title of “Most British town in Europe”. The world's first hovercraft car ferry made its maiden trip from Dover to Boulogne on 11 June 1968 and crossed in 25 minutes reaching speeds of 50 knots. I got into Ostend at lunchtime, with no problems with the other ferry operator. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. 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