SENLAC WINS A RACE!
Part of her life after Newhaven
By Andy Gilbert
Senlac and Horsa racing....
....all the way into the harbour!
Three sisters together.
All photos by kind permission of Tasos Papanastasio.
I've just been sent some photos including our much-loved Senlac, courtesy of the HHV Ferry site, and photgrapher Tasos Papanastasiou. I thank them both for allowing me to share them with you. I know this is not strictly Newhaven, but I also know that many of her former crew and passengers like to keep tabs on what she got up to after her life here.
UK Health and Safety officials would probably have had kittens over this, but the first two show Senlac, by now Express Apollon, actually racing her sister ship Horsa, by now Penelope A, towards the port of Rafina in Italy, in 1994. I'm pleased to report that Senlac won by a nose!
In the final photo, we see, from left to right, Senlac with both of her sisters, Horsa and Hengist (by now Express Artemis). It was a never to be repeated scene, as it was the only time they were ever to be together on the same routes. All three ships are still running this year, but the clock is sadly ticking for all ferries of their age, even in the rather more liberal Med.
I think Senlac must have had more fun in the Med than she ever did on the Channel!