Townsend Brothers Ferries
Leadenhall House, London, EC3.
1929 The company was incorporated, a subsidiary of Townsend Brothers (Shipping), shipping agents.
1930 Started a cross-channel ferry service, 7 months in the year, using one vessel[1]
WWII Service suspended
1947 Cross-channel service resumed after the government released their ship.
1950 Introduced a new ship (purchased from the Admiralty) which was modified and equipped with a stern loading port so that vehicles could be driven on/off. The original ship was sold.
1959 George Nott Industries acquired Townsend Brothers Ferries, a subsidiary of Townsend Ferries and Shipping at several times its book value.[2]
1965 Name changed to Townsend Car Ferries Ltd
1968 George Nott Industries, owner of Townsend Car Ferries, purchased the Otto Thoresen Shipping Co and its subsidiary Thoresen Car Ferries. Renamed European Ferries.
1969 Townsend Thoresen was the largest operator in the British car ferry trade; it was the principal operating unit of European Ferries Ltd; the intention was to promote the services jointly but without disturbing the individual trading identities of Townsend and Thoresen[3]
1987 The MV Herald of Free Enterprise capsized en voyage.
1987 Renamed P & O Ferries (Dover) Ltd