CAPITAINE LE GOFF

Pictured c1970.

By Stephen Morris

A few photographs taken around 1970 of the Capitaine le Goff, one of the first freight ferries operating alongside the Valencay, Villandry and Falaise.

For many years the lettering CLG could still be seen on the pilings alongside the secondary loading ramp where the freight ferries later loaded before the arrival of the fast ferries.

The first photograph was taken before days of tight security when it was still possible to explore the quay side as an inquisitive ship spotter! 

The second picture shows the Capitaine swinging across the river before heading for Dieppe bow first.

A different perspective from the East Pier to witness her departure.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'CAPITAINE LE GOFF' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'CAPITAINE LE GOFF' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'CAPITAINE LE GOFF' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'CAPITAINE LE GOFF' page
This page was added by Stephen Morris on 23/02/2016.
Comments about this page

A really nice blast from the past, Stephen. The ones showing her with the black hull are from her first season here, back in the summer of 1972. She was built as Admiral Carrier II but sold to SNCF and renamed immediately after launching. She was named after Capitaine Jean Le Goff, Master of the Newhaven-Dieppe cargo ship Rennes of 1925, very much a local hero in Dieppe.

She was, alas, not a good ship for the route. With a maximum speed of just 16 knots, she was way too slow and could only make one round trip per day. On top of that she was not that stable, and a large stabiliser tank was added amidships to try to correct this. Despite her shortcomings, she ran on the Newhaven-Dieppe route until 1978, when she broke down and SNCF management finally said "Non!" She was sold on, and worked for various owners until being broken up in 2008.

By Andy Gilbert
On 23/02/2016

Andy, there was a similiar white freight ferry that briefly replaced CLG before the Dundalk arrived. Any idea of the name and photos? I seem to remember that she moved on and was subsequently lost to a capsize either in the med or the baltic.

By Rob Patten
On 25/02/2016

Two freighters stepped in to cover for Capitaine le Goff towards the end. Autostrada was here for just two days to clear a backlog of Fiat car imports, but I guess you're thinking of Ro Ro Cimbria. Again, only here for a few days including running aground in the harbour entrance!

Photo here: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2335887

 

By Andy Gilbert
On 29/02/2016
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