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Gosport Ferries Limited
 
Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company
 
Page 2: From 1963
 
 
 
This is one of a series of pages devoted to postcards and photographs of the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company (PHFC), and its predecessors. This page covers the ferries from 1963, the year when the various original companies combined. Earlier ferries are shown on Portsmouth Harbour Ferries - Page 1. Ferries are currently (2007) operated as Gosport Ferries Limited, a subsidiary of PHFC.
 
 
A Brief History of Portsmouth Harbour Ferries from 1963
 
In 1963, the New Company changed its name to the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company, and took over the Old Company. The combined company had eight vessels, Vadne, Vita, Venus and Vesta from the New Company, plus Ferry Queen, Ferry Prince, Ferry Princess and Ferry Belle from the Old Company. Two modern new vessels were built by Thornycroft's of Woolston, named Portsmouth Queen and Gosport Queen. They entered service in 1966, and have proved very reliable once some initial teething troubles were ironed out. Initially, a number of the traditional ferries were retained for standby and excursion duties. The new ferries were joined in 1971 by the larger Gay Enterprise, which ran excursions in the summer, and covered in the winter whilst the other two ferries were overhauled. Gay Enterprise was later renamed Solent Enterprise. She was joined by another excursion vessel, the Southsea Queen, in 1974, a much better-looking ship than the others then in the fleet. Southsea Queen was sold after only four years to the company running the Hythe-Southampton ferries. The remaining three ferries covered services until 2001, when the first of two new ships arrived, the Spirit of Gosport. In the same year, the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited (PHFC) became the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company PLC, a holding company for various subsidiaries, one of which is Gosport Ferry Limited, which continues to run the ferries. The green livery was changed slightly when the name was changed.
 
Similar ferry Spirit of Portsmouth entered service in June 2005. Spirit of Portsmouth has an additional upper deck saloon with a bar to make her suitable for cruising (following the sale of Solent Enterprise). Initially, Spirit of Portsmouth was frequently retained for cruises, seeing little service on the ferry. From late 2006, Spirit of Portsmouth has been more regularly employed, and Gosport Queen is no longer shown on the Gosport Ferry Company website. It was announced that the cruises would be ceased from 2007, although subsequently a more limited timetable has appeared.
 
Successors to the original watermen continued to offers trips around the harbour, from the Portsea pontoon and from the beach near Clarence Pier in Southsea. In the mid-1980s they formed Portsmouth Harbour Tours, and subsequently began operating a circular waterbus service around the attractions of Portsmouth Harbour. The boast remained owned by the individuals, but proceeds were shared between them proportionate to the number of boats deployed. All boats received a pale blue livery - they are often referred to as the "Blue Boats". The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company (PHFC) initially joined this consortium, using two Blue Boats of their own, the Solent Prince and Solent Princess. PHFC left this consortium in 1996.
 
For images of a 2006 cruise on Spirit of Portsmouth, see:- Spirit of Portsmouth Cruise: 7th September 2006
 
 
Ship Names on this Page:-
Gay Enterprise
Gosport Queen
Portsmouth Queen
Solent Enterprise
Solent Prince
Solent Princess
Southsea Queen
Spirit of Gosport
Spirit of Portsmouth
 
Ship Names on Page 1:-
Ferry Belle (1924-1966)
Ferry King (1918-1960)
Ferry Prince (1939-1966)
Ferry Princess (1948-1968)
Ferry Queen (1) (1908-1956)
Ferry Queen (2) (1959-1974)
Princessa (1921-1958)
Sandringham (1900-1941)
Vadne (1937-1965)
Varos (1921-1952)
Venus (1948-1966)
Verda (1929-1958)
Vesta (1956-1974)
Vesta II (1909-1948)
Viceroy (1902-1929)
Vita (1960-1974)
 
Solent Area Pages:-
Portsmouth Harbour Ferries - Page 1
Portsmouth Harbour Ferries - Page 2 - this page!
Spirit of Portsmouth Cruise: 7th September 2006
Blue Funnel Cruises
Hovertravel
Hythe-Southampton Ferries
Portsmouth Harbour Tours - The "Blue Boats"
Solent Steam Packet Ltd - SS Shieldhall
 
Associated Pages:-
UK Excursion Ships
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates
Simplon Postcards - Home Page
 
References:-
It's Shorter by Water - The Gosport Ferry 1875-2001 - Michael Wright (2001)
The Gosport Ferry - A Short History 1883-1983 - P.D.Childs (1983)
Crossing the Harbour - Leslie Burton & Brian Musselwhite (1987)
 
 
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Table of Ship Histories
Name
Other names
 Built
 Gay Enterprise  
 1974
 Gosport Queen  
 1966
 Portsmouth Queen  
 1966
 Solent Enterprise  
 1974
 Spirit of Gosport  
 2001
 Spirit of Portsmouth  
 2005






Modern Ferries
 
In 1963, the New Company changed its name to the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company, and took over the Old Company. The combined company had eight vessels, Vadne, Vita, Venus and Vesta from the New Company, plus Ferry Queen, Ferry Prince, Ferry Princess and Ferry Belle from the Old Company. Two modern new vessels were built by Thornycroft's of Woolston, named Portsmouth Queen and Gosport Queen. They entered service in 1966, and have proved very reliable once some initial teething troubles were ironed out. Initially, a number of the traditional ferries were retained for standby and excursion duties. The new ferries were joined in 1971 by the larger Gay Enterprise, which ran excursions in the summer, and covered in the winter whilst the other two ferries were overhauled. Gay Enterprise was later renamed Solent Enterprise. She was joined by another excursion vessel, the Southsea Queen, in 1974, a much better-looking ship than the others then in the fleet. Southsea Queen was sold after only four years to the company running the Hythe-Southampton ferries. The remaining three ferries covered services until 2001, when the first of two new ships arrived, the Spirit of Gosport. In the same year, the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited (PHFC) became the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company PLC, a holding company for various subsidiaries, one of which is Gosport Ferry Limited, which continues to run the ferries. The green livery was changed slightly when the name was changed. My visits to Portsmouth during 2003/2004 saw the 1966 ferries in regular use on service, with Spirit of Gosport often only appearing to take the evening peak service.
 
Similar ferry Spirit of Portsmouth entered service in June 2005. Spirit of Portsmouth has an additional upper deck saloon with a bar to make her suitable for cruising (following the sale of Solent Enterprise). Initially, Spirit of Portsmouth was frequently retained for cruises, seeing little service on the ferry. From late 2006, Spirit of Portsmouth has been more regularly employed, and Gosport Queen is no longer shown on the Gosport Ferry Company website. It was announced that the cruises would be ceased from 2007, although subsequently a more limited timetable has appeared.
 
 
 
Gosport Queen
 
Two modern new vessels were built by Thornycroft's of Woolston, named Portsmouth Queen and Gosport Queen. They entered service in 1966, and have proved very reliable once some initial teething troubles were ironed out. Each vessel can carry 500 passengers, and enormous improvement on the earlier vessels, and the two new ships replaced the four previously required at peak periods. From 2006, Gosport Queen was no longer shown on the Gosport Ferry Company website, presumably withdrawn and providing spares for Portsmouth Queen which is still shown.
 
Additional photographs of Gosport Queen
 
 
Fincom postcard GOS100 of Gosport Queen in PHFC colours arriving at the Gosport Pontoon.
 
 
Gosport Queen in PHFC colours at the Gosport Pontoon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 10th April 1976.
 
 
Gosport Queen in PHFC colours at the Portsmouth Pontoon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
Sea-Chest postcard SO942 of Spirit of Gosport arriving at the Gosport Pontoon.
Gosport Queen is in the foreground, with sister Portsmouth Queen in the distance at Portsmouth.
All ferries in Gosport Ferry Limited colours.
 
 
Gosport Queen arriving at Portsmouth in later Gosport Ferry colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2003.
 
 
Gosport Queen arriving at Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Portsmouth Queen
 
Two modern new vessels were built by Thornycroft's of Woolston, named Portsmouth Queen and Gosport Queen. They entered service in 1966, and have proved very reliable once some initial teething troubles were ironed out. Each vessel can carry 500 passengers, and enormous improvement on the earlier vessels, and the two new ships replaced the four previously required at peak periods.
 
Additional photographs of Portsmouth Queen
 
 
Photo Precision postcard PT2922 of Portsmouth Queen in PHFC colours arriving at the Gosport Pontoon.
 
 
Dennis postcard G-1101 of Portsmouth Queen in PHFC colours arriving at the Gosport Pontoon.
 
 
Gosport Queen in PHFC colours, arriving at the Portsmouth Pontoon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
J.Arthur Dixon postcard L6/SP.11423 of Portsmouth Queen in Gosport Ferry colours leaving the Portsmouth Pontoon.
Photo: © P.Titmus.
 
 
 
Portsmouth Queen arriving at Portsmouth in later Gosport Ferry colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 19th April 2003.
 
 
Portsmouth Queen arriving at Portsmouth in later Gosport Ferry colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 19th April 2003.
 
 
Portsmouth Queen at Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th April 2003.
 
 
Portsmouth Queen arriving at Portsmouth from Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Portsmouth Queen arriving at Portsmouth from Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
Gay Enterprise - Solent Enterprise
 
The new ferries were joined in 1971 by the larger Gay Enterprise, which ran excursions in the summer, and covered in the winter whilst the other two ferries were overhauled. Gay Enterprise was later renamed Solent Enterprise. She was joined by another excursion vessel, the Southsea Queen, in 1974, a much better-looking ship than the others then in the fleet. Southsea Queen was sold after only four years to the company running the Hythe-Southampton ferries. In 2005, Solent Enterprise was sold to Capital Pleasure Boats on the Thames, to be renamed Sundance. Her cruises will now be taken by the Spirit of Portsmouth.
 
Additional photographs of Gay Enterprise
 
 
Dennis postcard of Gay Enterprise.
Purchased on board in August 1977 whilst on a harbour cruise.
 
 
Photograph of Gay Enterprise, taken from Viking Victory.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 1977.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 1977.
 
 
 
Official PHFC postcard of Solent Enterprise.
A retouched version of the card above of Gay Enterprise.
Purchased on board on a cruise from Gosport to Southampton.
 
 
Ferry Publications postcard 0308 of Solent Enterprise.
 
 
Dennis postcard G.1107L of Solent Enterprise at Gosport.
The fully enclosed pontoon was built in 1983 - compare with earlier photograph.
 
 
Dennis postcard G.1107L of Solent Enterprise at Gosport.
The fully enclosed pontoon was built in 1983 - compare with earlier aerial photograph.
 
 
Solent Enterprise at Cowes, in blue Gosport Ferry colours received 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Solent Enterprise at Cowes, in blue Gosport Ferry colours received 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
Solent Enterprise at Gosport, in blue Gosport Ferry colours received 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Solent Enterprise in Southampton Water.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 11th September 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
Southsea Queen (1974-78)
 
The new ferries were joined in 1971 by the larger Gay Enterprise, which ran excursions in the summer, and covered in the winter whilst the other two ferries were overhauled. Gay Enterprise was later renamed Solent Enterprise. She was joined by another excursion vessel, the Southsea Queen, in 1974, a much better-looking ship than the others then in the fleet. Southsea Queen was sold after only four years to the company running the Hythe-Southampton ferries.
 
 
Photo Precision Colourmaster postcard PLX2856 of Southsea Queen at Gosport.
Compare the partially open pontoon with a photo of the later enclosed pontoon built 1983.
 
 
Photograph of the attractive Southsea Queen in Portsmouth Harbour.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
Photograph of Southsea Queen in Portsmouth Harbour.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
Photograph of Southsea Queen in Portsmouth Harbour.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, June 1976.
 
 
Photograph of Southsea Queen arriving at Portsmouth Pontoon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 1977.
 
 
Photograph of Southsea Queen departing from Portsmouth Pontoon.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, September 1977.
 
 
 
 
 
Solent Prince
Solent Princess
 
Successors to the original watermen continued to offers trips around the harbour, from the Portsea pontoon and from the beach near Clarence Pier in Southsea. In the mid-1980s they formed Portsmouth Harbour Tours, and subsequently began operating a circular waterbus service around the attractions of Portsmouth Harbour. The boats remained owned by the individuals, but proceeds were shared between them proportionate to the number of boats deployed. All boats received a pale blue livery - they are often referred to as the "Blue Boats". The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company (PHFC) initially joined this consortium, using two Blue Boats of their own, the Solent Prince and Solent Princess. PHFC left this consortium in 1996.
 
 
Photograph of Solent Princess.
Photo: © PHFC.
 
 
 
 
 
Spirit of Gosport (2001- )
 
Southsea Queen was sold after only four years to the company running the Hythe-Southampton ferries. The remaining three ferries covered services until 2001, when the first of two new ships arrived, the Spirit of Gosport. In the same year, the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited (PHFC) became the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company PLC, a holding company for various subsidiaries, one of which is Gosport Ferry Limited, which continues to run the ferries. The green livery was changed slightly when the name was changed. My visits to Portsmouth during 2003/2004 saw the 1966 ferries in regular use on service, with Spirit of Gosport often only appearing to take the evening peak service. More recently, the two 'Spirits' have seen more regular use, and Gosport Queen is no longer shown on the Gosport Ferry Company website.
 
Additional photographs of Spirit of Gosport
 
 
Sea-Chest postcard SO942 of Spirit of Gosport arriving at the Gosport Pontoon.
Gosport Queen is in the foreground, with sister Portsmouth Queen in the distance at Portsmouth.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport at Gosport.
Spirit of Gosport was often used only at peak periods during 2004.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th April 2004.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport arriving at Gosport, with Pride of Bilbao.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th April 2004.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport arriving at Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th April 2004.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport arriving at Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 19th April 2004.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport arriving at Gosport.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th June 2004.
 
 
Spirit of Gosport arriving at Portsmouth.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th October 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth (2005- )
 
Spirit of Portsmouth entered service in June 2005. Spirit of Portsmouth has an additional upper deck saloon with a bar to make her suitable for cruising (following the sale of Solent Enterprise). Initially, Spirit of Portsmouth was frequently retained for cruises, seeing little service on the ferry. From late 2006, she has been more regularly employed, and Gosport Queen is no longer shown on the Gosport Ferry Company website. It was announced that the cruises would be ceased from 2007, although subsequently a more limited timetable has appeared. 2008 has shown a further expansion in cruises again. For images of a 2006 cruise on Spirit of Portsmouth, see:- Spirit of Portsmouth Cruise: 7th September 2006
 
Additional photographs of Spirit of Portsmouth - Spirit of Portsmouth Cruise: 7th September 2006
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth running cruises at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005.
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth running cruises at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005.
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth running cruises at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005.
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth running cruises at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005.
 
 
Spirit of Portsmouth running cruises at Portsmouth's Festival of the Sea.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 2nd July 2005.
 
 
 
 
 
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