SS Worthing
Encyclopedia
SS Worthing was a steam-powered ferry
operating between Newhaven
and Dieppe
Gare Maritime
.
The Worthing was built for the Southern Railway
and launched on 3 May 1928. Her first captain
was Charles Lever Cook MBE
. She was operated by Southern Railway until the Second World War
.
to France, receiving her orders to be in Southampton
on 8 September 1939 and sailing to Southampton two days later. She became a troop carrier, crossing the English Channel
to Cherbourg
six times. The Worthing sailed for the Navy
until 23 March 1945.
After the Second World War the Worthing resumed civilian service as a Newhaven-Dieppe ferry: first for the Southern Railway until 1948 and then for British Rail
ways until 1954. In 1955 she was sold and moved to Greece, where she was renamed the Phryni
.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operating between Newhaven
Newhaven, East Sussex
Newhaven is a town in the Lewes District of East Sussex in England. It lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, on the English Channel coast, and is a ferry port for services to France.-Origins:...
and Dieppe
Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
Dieppe is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in France. In 1999, the population of the whole Dieppe urban area was 81,419.A port on the English Channel, famous for its scallops, and with a regular ferry service from the Gare Maritime to Newhaven in England, Dieppe also has a popular pebbled...
Gare Maritime
Gare Maritime de Dieppe
Gare Maritime de Dieppe was a railway station in the town of Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France and was built by CF de l'Ouest in 1874. The station was the station for passengers from Paris to Newhaven, by steamers and then ferries....
.
The Worthing was built for the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
and launched on 3 May 1928. Her first captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
was Charles Lever Cook MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. She was operated by Southern Railway until the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
War duties
The Worthing became part of the British Expeditionary ForceBritish Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
to France, receiving her orders to be in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
on 8 September 1939 and sailing to Southampton two days later. She became a troop carrier, crossing the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
to Cherbourg
Cherbourg-Octeville
-Main sights:* La Glacerie has a race track.* The Cité de la Mer is a large museum devoted to scientific and historical aspects of maritime subjects.* Cherbourg Basilica* Jardin botanique de la Roche Fauconnière, a private botanical garden.* Le Trident theatre...
six times. The Worthing sailed for the Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
until 23 March 1945.
After the Second World War the Worthing resumed civilian service as a Newhaven-Dieppe ferry: first for the Southern Railway until 1948 and then for British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
ways until 1954. In 1955 she was sold and moved to Greece, where she was renamed the Phryni
Phryni
The Phryni were an ancient people of eastern Central Asia, probably located in the eastern part of the Tarim Basin, in an area connected to that of the Seres and the Tocharians.They are mentioned several times in Classical sources....
.
Naming history
- SS Worthing 1928-1940
- HMS Worthing 1940-1940
- HMS Brigadier 1940-1944
- SS Worthing 1944-1955
- Phryni 1955-1968