3-028-431 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Channel Railway Ferry: proposed steam-boat to convey the trains, 1870. 'Mr. John Fowler, C.E., [has devised a plan] for the more expeditious conveyance of mails and passengers across the Channel between England and France...The Illustration...[shows] the design of these boats, which are to be 450 ft. in length, 57 ft. in breadth of beam, and 85 ft. wide over the paddle-boxes. The stem and stern of the vessel would be made capable of being opened, to admit the entrance of the train of railway-carriages, assisted by a hydraulic hoist...The dining-saloons, ladies' cabins, and smoking-rooms; the customs' offices, and other convenient apartments, would be situated on the maindeck, on each side of the train platform, so that the passengers could readily use them without losing sight of the carriage intended to convey them over all the way on land between London and Paris. This arrangement is very convenient, and the promised ease and comfort of such travelling, especially at night and in bad weather, must recommend Mr. Fowler's plan, as much as the saving of nearly two hours in the whole journey'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.