“"We don’t remember days, we remember moments."

Planning & Building The Harwich Train Ferry (1923-1924), Harwich Harbour, Essex.

These images mark a milestone in transport history. 
At 11.00 am on 24th April 1924, the young Prince George performed the opening ceremony of the continental train ferry link between Harwich and Zeebrugge.

Escorted by Sir Cyril Butler and the Mayor Mrs Lucy Hill and other dignitaries, the Prince officially set the bridge in motion at the train ferry terminal. Though the wheel turned by the Prince looked the part, it was just stage dressing – the real operation was controlled elsewhere. The rails from the Quay were designed to fit those on the leaves of the ferry, allowing the trains to continue from land to sea without unloading making the transition much quicker and cost effective.

A fleet of three ferries were to operate this service and the successful innovation as the Harwich link continued until 1987.
There is video footage on-line of this event which covers the following  ~

East Anglia Film Archive Link  eafa.ehost.uea.ac.uk/work/?id=1920

Prince George Opens Harwich Ferry
Prince George arrives with an array of dignitaries. He performs the opening ceremony at Harwich Harbour to inaugurate the train ferry crossing to Zeebrugge. Prince George turns a wheel and the leaves of the ferry lower to meet the Quay. The rails from the Quay fit those on the leaves of the ferry, allowing the trains to continue from land to see without unloading. We see wagons roll onto the ferry. Prince George watches from a balcony. There is a long shot of the crowds watching on the Quay. The ferry, Train Ferry No. 2, leaves. There is a shot of the crowd showing a boat steaming past in the background. Prince George leaves with the dignitaries.

 ~ 01 The Surveyor, Harwich Train Ferry (1923) H&D ~

~ 02 The "Skeleton" Train Ferry Terminal, Harwich (1923) H&D ~

~ 03 View from the Shore ~ The Train Ferry being built (1923) H&D ~

~ 04 Work in progress of the Train Ferry (1923) H&D ~

~ 05 An early view from the Bathside Basin of the Train Ferry completion (1923) H&D ~

~ Crane erection "Up Top" of the Harwich Train Ferry (1924) H&D ~

~ 07 View from the Sea, of the almost completed Train Ferry (1924) H&D ~

~ 08 Final touches and "testing" of the Harwich Train Ferry (1924) H&D ~

~ 09 Opening of the Harwich Train Ferry (April 24th 1924) H&D ~

~ 11 Opening of the Harwich Train Ferry by HRH Prince George VI (24th April 1924) ~

~ 12 Inauguration of Train Ferry, Harwich (24th April 1924) by Saunders H&D ~

At 11.00 am on 24th April 1924, a young Prince George VI performed the opening ceremony of the continental train ferry link between Harwich and Zeebrugge
​Escorted by Sir Cyril Butler and the Mayor Mrs Lucy Hill (standing behind the Prince above) and other dignitaries, the Prince officially set the bridge in motion at the train ferry terminal.
The rails from the Quay were designed to fit those on the leaves of the ferry, allowing the trains to continue from land to sea without unloading making the transition much quicker and cost effective.
A fleet of three ferries were to operate this service. It was a successful innovation as the Harwich link and continued in operation until 1987.

~ 13 Opening Harwich Train Ferry by H.R.H. Prince George (April 24th 1924) Watts H&D ~

 ~ 14 Inaugural Luncheon Brochure #001 (1924) H&D ~

 ~ 15 Inaugural Luncheon Brochure #002 (1924) H&D ~

~ 16 The Felix Hotel, Felixstowe used by the Prince at the Incineration (1924) Kingsway H&D ~

~ 17 Harwich Train Ferry, (1924) Cadbury H&D ~

~ 18 Harwich Train Ferry, (1924) Cadbury H&D R

~ 19 Harwich - Zeebruge Train Ferry Bridge (Wallis 1924) H&D ~
First commercial Crossing

~ 20 #1904 Harwich From An Aeroplane (1923) Aerofilms Series H&D ~
​Just prior to construction of the Harwich Train Ferry

 ~ 21 #7309 The Harbour, Harwich (Feb 1959) by Aerofilms Ltd, London H&D ~
Harwich Train Ferry to the right.

Video Links

Prince George Inaugurates New Zeebrugge Train Ferry Service (1924)

​Harwich Train Ferry past and present ~ Paddy Moindrot

Army horses loaded in Cologne in railway wagons sail across from Holland on LNER Train Ferry Number 3 and still in wagons are unloaded in Harwich in front of a large crowd and several dogs. This is followed by various images relating to the train ferries and the "railway drawbridge" gantry, which is now a protected industrial heritage site in the buoy yard of Trinity House in Harwich.
​Hope it's been rustproofed!

​Harwich old train ferry ( gashouse creek ) 2023 ~ DJscreech