TSS Canterbury (1928)

The TSS Canterbury was a passenger ferry built in 1928 by William Denny and Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland, for the Southern Railway. She primarily operated on cross-channel services between Folkestone, England, and Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.

The Canterbury was designed for speed and comfort, reflecting the demands of travelers on the busy Channel route. She was a turbine steamship (TSS), employing steam turbines for propulsion, a technology common at the time for larger and faster vessels. Her design allowed for a relatively quick crossing, catering to both leisure and business travelers.

During World War II, the Canterbury was requisitioned for war service. She was converted into a troop transport and served in various operations, including evacuations from Dunkirk in 1940. Her participation in the Dunkirk evacuation saw her rescue many Allied soldiers under heavy fire.

Following the war, the Canterbury was refitted and returned to civilian service, continuing to operate on the Folkestone-Boulogne route. She served in this capacity until the late 1960s, when she was withdrawn from service. She was subsequently sold for scrap and broken up.

The TSS Canterbury represents a significant era in cross-channel ferry transportation. Her role in both peacetime passenger service and wartime operations has secured her a place in maritime history.