HHV stands for Hengist Horsa Vortigern - a minor tribute to the three Sealink (UK) vessels of the 1970s and 1980s. Principally running from Folkestone, these were the ships I grew up with. Travelling from Folkestone to Boulogne was generally the only time I would experience a sea crossing each year, on the way to or from a continental family holiday; and these were the ships we would travel on.
Being first generation car ferries, these ferries still retained a certain intimacy that the current Dover Strait superferries lack to an extent. And whilst I can appreciate the obvious class of the former Pride of Provence, can see much merit in the old Pride of Aquitaine, and adore the Wawel (ex-Fantasia), the Hengist, Horsa and Vortigern will always be my three favourite ferries.
In later years, the trio were reunited in Greece, at one stage all in the same Hella Ferries fleet. With the 35-year age limit on Greek ferries, however, the Vortigern was the first to meet her end, heading to the Indian scrapyards in early 2005. For now, the remaining pair sal on, as Ventouris Sea Lines' Agios Georgios (Hengist) and Agoudimos Lines' Penelope A (Horsa). Together with the Hengist/Horsa's sister Express Apollon (ex-Senlac), one of Vortigern's half-sisters Express Santorini (ex-Chartres) and several other former Sealink ships, Greek waters remain something of a haven for this type of vessel. And whilst their careers are nearing an end, they continue to provide reliable and important sea crossings, just as they have done since being built, in the heyday of British Rail car ferry design. |
