SOUTHSEA
IOW Ferry laid-up at Newhaven
By Stephen Morris
Southsea was built by Denny's of Dumbarton in 1948 for the Portsmouth - Ryde Isle of Wight route. She was one of 3 sister ships, the others named Brading and Shanklin.
She was 200 ft. in length, with a broad beam of 47ft., displacement 986 gross tons and had a passenger capacity of about 1000 persons.
She served on the IOW route for 40 years until 1988, and after a final cruising season was moved to Falmouth.
In 1991 her owners Sea Containers moved her to Newhaven where she remained until 1997. The Meeching towed her to Portsmouth where a group of enthusiasts were hoping to restore her for coastal cruising.
After being moved to Southampton she was finally sold for breaking up. Finally being towed to Denmark for scrapping in 2005.
Looking smart at the Marine Workshops
Looking rundown and moved to Railway Quay