Cunard Hovercraft in Grand Harbour, 1967

Between 24 February 1967 and 10 May 1967, Cunard's RMS Sylvania carried British Hovercraft Corporation's SRN-6 type hovercraft 024 on board during her cruises in the Mediterranean from Gibraltar. The BHC was trying to interest the governments of various countries bordering the Mediterranean in purchasing hovercraft, and to give government officials a practical demonstration of the hovercraft's capabilities. It was put into the water, using the ship's gear, at various ports and sent on demonstration runs. The hovercraft was not there to provide sight-seeing trips for cruise passengers, although occasional short trips for passengers were made 'around the bay' between the official runs. The venture proved unsuccessful and was not repeated.

Photo : Cunard Line