The talk covers the origin of train ferries during the First World War and continued through to the closure of the Harwich Train Ferry service in 1987.
At 11.00 on 24th April 1924 a special train arrived at Harwich town station with Prince George and later The Duke of Kent. Crowds gathered along with school parties and the Harwich Town Silver Band Played. After the official opening ceremony Captain Grigor gave the party a guided tour of the new ferry before setting sail on the inaugural voyage. Over the years Harwich has seen many Train Ferries come and go sadly cost cutting feasibility studies were considered, these included basing all train ferry traffic through one English port. Sadly on geographical grounds Harwich did not stand a chance of winning the competition.
Illustrated Talk by David Whittle
David has a well-earned reputation as a speaker and has built up a wide ranging catalogue of talks on local subjects; check this page for details of future events.