150 Years of Red Funnel

Red Funnel celebrates its 150th birthday this year with a programme of special events and promotions throughout 2011. Hazel Nicholson looks back over its fascinating history.

About Red Funnel

Red Funnel began life as The Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited in 1861, when scheduled year-round packet services operated between Southampton, Cowes, Ryde, Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.

Cruises were operated around the Isle of Wight from the outset, stopping at resorts like Yarmouth, Totland or Alum Bay. Where no piers existed, landings were made using the ships’ boats or via the services of local boatmen.

By the 1900s growing interest in travel gave the company a new source of income and it began extending its day trips to foot passengers along the South Coast and across the English Channel to Cherbourg.

In 1931 the company introduced is first motor ship with a diesel engine, and gradually paddle steamers were phased out. Diesel was not only cheaper to use than coal but was also much cleaner – much to the relief of the company’s team of cleaners and painters.

In 1935 the company was rebranded Red Funnel when the general manager was given the job of updating the service with a new look. Funnels were painted bright red to make them easily recognisable both when docked and at sea, and new additions to the fleet continue to be painted in this way.

Services continued during the Second World War despite the risk of bombing: indeed, a company workshop took a direct hit during an air raid; luckily there were no casualties. Several of the company’s ships played a part in the Dunkirk mission and rescued British servicemen from the beaches.

From the late 1950s foreign travel took its toll on the British holiday market and excursion sailings decreased from year to year until they were phased out completely at the end of the 1968 season.

But responding to the growing affordability of the family car Red Funnel introduced its first purpose-built car ferry in 1959 and the Isle of Wight became a popular place for touring holidays. Since then it has offered a year-round car ferry service that continues to this day.

Sunshine Cruises in Enchanted Waters (1933)

Then, as now, passenger comfort was of the utmost importance. By 1927 the company’s paddlers had an open foredeck, a main deck saloon aft for first class passengers, a fore cabin on the lower deck for officers’ accommodation and a bar for second class travellers.

There was also a dining room on the lower deck. Here food was served by silver service waiters using the finest china and cutlery. A band playing the latest dance and orchestral music often accompanied the excursion trips, and deckchairs were available for passengers at 2d for each single journey.

Commuting between the island and the mainland was made all the easier in 1969 when the introduction of the high-speed hydrofoil cut journey times to just 25 minutes. Today the service is run by three Red Jet catamarans.

Red Funnel currently operates over 13,800 standard sailings and 23,000 Red Jet sailings each year, carrying over 3.5 million passengers on its six-strong fleet.

Red Funnel 150, a new book by transport enthusiast Keith Adams, celebrates 150 years of Red Funnel history with fascinating information about the company’s past and over 275 photos from the archives.

Red Funnel 150 costs £24.95 and is available from Red Funnel’s offices in Southampton and Cowes, aboard ferries and from all good bookshops.

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