SR.N4 Hovercraft Accidents and Damage
General / Unidentified
1. One of the Seaspeed Mk I craft at Dover after hitting a large wave. The side and bow structures were susceptible to this sort of damage, which rarely affected the cabin structure |
2. A damaged propeller at the Hoverlloyd terminal. This is the one that flew from a Mk I craft on 29/10/69 causing extensive damage to the terminal building |
3. Damage to the tip of a propeller blade from a Mk III craft. This blade is made of composites around an alloy spar and it appears to have become delaminated in this instance |
The Princess
Margaret
11th October 1980
1. The Princess Margaret was hit by a large wave on 11/10/80 causing some damage to the starboard superstructure |
2. Internal damage to the forward cabin. The craft's winter refit was brought forward in order to repair this damage |
The Princess
Margaret
23rd January 1981
1. In thick fog on 23/01/81, The Princess Margaret struck the Prince of Wales Pier causing extensive damage to the bow section |
2. A view from inside the car deck showing the damaged bow ramp area |
3. With The Princess Anne refitting, Seaspeed chartered the Swift and then the Sir Christopher from Hoverlloyd before The Princess Anne returned on 23rd February |
4. A view along the car deck looking forward showing the damaged front ramp |
5. Another view of the exterior showing that a complete replacement of the bow ramp area was necessary |
6. A further view showing the damage to the forward port cabin area |
7. Covers are placed over the damaged area before repairs are undertaken |
The Princess
Margaret
30th March 1985
1. The craft being moved further up the ramp at Dover's Hoverport after the accident on 30/03/85 |
2. On the downwind approach to the harbour in severe weather conditions, the starboard side of the craft struck the entrance wall a glancing blow... |
3. ...causing a number of passengers to be thrown in to the sea. Tragically four of these passengers did not survive the accident |
4. After a very thorough enquiry at the inquest the jury returned a verdict of accidental death on each of the four passengers |
5. A Hoverspeed spokesman said that if this had been a ship, it might not have stayed afloat and is testament to the structural strength of the craft |
6. To avoid a possible recurrence of the accident, Hoverspeed introduced modified rules for entering Dover Harbour in severe weather conditions |
7. Fortunately this is the only serious accident involving the SR.N4 craft which provided service across the Channel for 32 years |
8. Inside the starboard rear passenger cabin after the accident |
9. Looking at a cross-section of the hull structure, including the buoyancy raft and plenum chamber atop which sits the cabin |
10. Looking towards the rear of the cabin after the accident. Tragic though this was, it is testament to the strength of the craft that so few people were hurt |
Listen to the BBC News headline of the accident by clicking this link |
(Images courtesy of BHC / The Hovercraft Museum Library)
Click on thumbnails above for larger images
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