maritime images: postcards

Cotentin postcard

COTENTIN

Postcard caption
The Cotentin shown leaving Poole Harbour was introduced on the Cherbourg and Santander routes during November 2007.

A bit of history
The largest ship ever to call at Poole, the freight-only Cotentin was built in Finland and delivered during November 2007 as a replacement for the much smaller Coutances. As well as Poole-Cherbourg crossings she also began a new route to Santander in northern Spain. The Cotentin can carry up to 120 lorries.

Bretagne postcard

BRETAGNE

Postcard caption
The Bretagne shown at Poole during 2007 was at the time the largest ship to sail from the port.

A bit of history
Built in 1989 as the Brittany Ferries flagship, the Bretagne made history at the beginning of 2007 when she became the largest ship to visit Poole. She was covering the Poole-Cherbourg route for ten days whilst regular vessel the Barfleur was away for maintenance.

Coutances postcard

COUTANCES

Postcard caption
The Coutances shown in Poole Harbour during 2007 entered service for Truckline in 1978.

A bit of history
The freighter Coutances entered service on Truckline's Poole-Cherbourg route in 1978 along with sister ship the Purbeck. After thirty years' service during which she made 29,380 crossings, the Coutances sailed from Poole for the final time on 27 April 2008. She was eventually sold to Conferrys in Venezuela and was renamed the Rosa Eugenia.