NOSTALGIA: New cross-Solent  ferry looks more like a mini cruise ship

The new Isle of Wight car ferry to Fishbourne has started running from Portsmouth and looks more like a small liner.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Sep 2018, 16:54 BST
Updated 10th Sep 2018, 17:03 BST
The old Isle of Wight car ferry MV Hilsea approaching Point, Old Portsmouth. She was in service from 1930 to 1961.The old Isle of Wight car ferry MV Hilsea approaching Point, Old Portsmouth. She was in service from 1930 to 1961.
The old Isle of Wight car ferry MV Hilsea approaching Point, Old Portsmouth. She was in service from 1930 to 1961.

The ship about to dock at Point pre-1961 is the MV Hilsea. She ran from 1930 until  late 1961. When she docked she would unload a few cars, horses and carts, cattle, and sheep for slaughter, plus the odd small lorry and a few dozen passengers. She was operated by Southern Railway and took more than an hour to make the cross-Solent trip. 

The ferry would land her cargo at the end of Broad Street. In the 1970s a modern loading area was built around the corner from Point. The delays caused by traffic queuing along Broad Street led to the move to the Camber. 

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The new £30m ferry looks immaculate even after her 25-day voyage from Turkey where she was built. She has space for 178 cars and 1,208 passengers. To load quicker, a two-tier parking area has opened so cars can be taken on and off the mainland on two decks simultaneously. So for those who have endured queues in St George's and Gunwharf roads waiting to get into the ferry car park, this problem should have ended. 

NOW: Looking more like a mini-liner, the new Isle of Wight ferry Victoria of Wight approaches Portsmouth Harbour. Picture: Tony WeaverNOW: Looking more like a mini-liner, the new Isle of Wight ferry Victoria of Wight approaches Portsmouth Harbour. Picture: Tony Weaver
NOW: Looking more like a mini-liner, the new Isle of Wight ferry Victoria of Wight approaches Portsmouth Harbour. Picture: Tony Weaver

'¢Â Although it is stamped 193, Kingston Road, this shop was on the corner of St James's Road  and Bedford Street, Southsea.Perhaps there was another branch at Kingston?

Mr Bone certainly knew how to drum up business as he offered a free sample loaf, an early case of try-before-you-buy.

He certainly seemed busy as the delivery wagons belong to him, the one on the corner stating he had a '˜model' bakery.

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You can just imagine the aroma of newly-baked bread wafting from the shop in the early morning. The shop was also a grocer's.

I do not know when Mr Bone went out of business but if anyone can remember his shop please let me know. Picture: Robert James

 

Related topics:NostalgiaIsle of WightPortsmouthTurkey