science · 01 October 2000 · 25 years ago
In 2000, two hovercraft that made marine history, and had operated for 32 years, made the last trips across the English Channel. The Princess Margaret was launched in 1968, and followed a year later by the Princess Anne. The revolutionary design of these hovercraft greatly reduced journey times. They could take 300 passengers and 50 cars to Calais in 35 minutes. Hovercraft were the idea of the British inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell, though it took him almost ten years to gain financial backing. The opening of the Eurotunnel brought stiff competition among ferry firms. The hovercraft were replaced with larger and smoother catamarans able to make the crossing in 45 minutes but able to carry 600 passengers and 90 cars, and use less fuel.
OnThisDay.net