Cowes - Southampton hydrofoil

The Red Funnel fast ferry service between Southampton and Cowes was operated using hydrofoils back in the 1970's.

 

This is 'Shearwater 4' passing Dockhead on the return journey from Cowes.

 

She was built in 1973 by Cantieri Navali Rodriquez in Messina, Italy and was sold in 1992 for further service following the arrival of Red Jet 2 in 1991. She had a top speed of 32.5 knots from a 1350 hp V12 Maybach diesel.

 

Scanned from my slide taken from the Hythe Ferry.

 

7 September 1976

(WSS Show 3-044)

Done