Remembering the Free Enterprise- The Last of the Spirits

The Pride of Free Enterprise was the third and final member of Townsend Thoresen's 'Spirit' class which completely revolutionised the design of cross-Channel ferries during the early 1980s. Competition with the Sealink consortium was intense and for the first time, vessels capable of accommodating two decks of freight vehicles were ordered. The 'Spirit' class represented Townsend Thoresen's response to this bold initiative and unhindered by the constraints of bureaucracy and State intervention, the trio entered service months ahead of their rivals. Their impressive speed allowed them to operate as many as five round trips to Calais each day but the loss of the 'Herald' in March 1987 set in motion a world-wide investigation into the operation of all roll on- roll off fleets. Valuable lessons were learnt and the 'Pride' went on to serve the local fleet for 20 years after which, under new ownership, she successfully operated for a further 15.