MV Norris Castle (1968)

MV Norris Castle, the third vessel in the Red Funnel fleet to carry the name, was built in 1968 by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston and operated as a car ferry between Southampton and East Cowes until 1994. Mrs Joan Lacon, owner of the namesake building, Norris Castle, named the ship.[1] Originally designed to load and discharge through the bows, in 1976, she was converted to drive through operation, with mezzanine decks and an extended superstructure, by Boele in Rotterdam.[2] As built, she was 191 feet 3 inches (58.29 m) long with a capacity of 734 GT. After rebuilding she was extended to 221 feet 2 inches (67.41 m) and 999 GT.

Broadside view of ship, with red hull and white superstructure, steaming right to left
Norris Castle, Red Funnel car ferry in the Solent
History
Name
  • Norris Castle
  • Lovrejenac
Owner
Port of registrySouthampton
RouteSouthampton–Cowes/East Cowes
OrderedOctober 1967
BuilderJohn I. Thornycroft & Company
Yard number4226
Launched8 August 1968
Maiden voyage19 December 1968
IdentificationIMO number: 6826951
StatusLaid up 2008
General characteristics
Class and typeCastle class car ferry
Tonnage
  • as built: 734 GT
  • after rebuild: 999 GT
Length
  • as built: 191 feet 3 inches (58.29 m)
  • after rebuild: 221 feet 2 inches (67.41 m)
Beam42 feet 1 inch (12.83 m)
Installed power1,800 brake horsepower (1,300 kW)
Propulsion2x Crossley Premier diesels driving twin screws
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)

With the arrival of Red Osprey in 1994, she was surplus to requirements and sold to Jadrolinija for service in Croatia.[3] She was renamed Lovrjenac. After 14 years further service, she was laid up in 2008.[2]

Accidents and incidents

In gale-force winds in 1981, when turning in the River Medina in the Isle of Wight, she was blown on to the Cowes Floating Bridge, but there was no serious damage done to either vessel.[3]

References
  1. Isle of Wight County Press dated 4 November 1994, Page 17
  2. Adams, Keith (2010). Red Funnel 150. Isle of Man: Richard Danielson. pp. 146–147. ISBN 978-0-9513155-5-2.
  3. "Our history | About us | Red Funnel".
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