Built in 1969 by Seaflight S.p.A., Messina, Italy for the Southampton, Isle of Wight & S. of England R.M.P.S. (Red Funnel Seaflight).
She entered service on 5 May 1969 under the name SHEARWATER (I).
Tonnage 57 grt. (full load displacement) 26 ton, 61 x 15.6 x 8.1ft. (draught), beam over foils 26.3 ft.
Powered by two 530 hp (each) Fiat-Carraro diesels, twin screws, speed maximum 40 knots, service speed 32 knots.
Accommodation for 54 passengers and 2 crew.
Travellers in 1969 between Southampton and Cowes, Isle of Wight, did have the choice of going by the passenger and car ferries of the Cowes Castle type, or by this much faster H57 type hydrofoil.
Hydrofoils are widely used the world over, but until 1970 the SHEARWATER was the only one to operate on a regular service in the British Isles-the Channel Islands excepted.
It was special for a quicker crossing time that the Red Funnel experimented with different types of high speed passenger’s craft. The SHEARWATER was the first which was tried out by the company.
After SHEARWATER (III) came in service the I was only used as standby vessel, and she was disposed of in 1973. Fate unknown.
Lesotho 1999 4m sg?, scott?
Source: Ships a picture history by Laurence Dunn. Internet.