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Ramsgate, offers the Royal Harbour, yachting marina, harbour cruises and a Maritime Museum dedicated to local history. Viking ShipThe replica Viking Ship ‘Hugin’ was sailed from Denmark in 1949 by 53 Danes to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the arrival of the legendary Hengist and his brother Horsa, two Saxon Chieftains, who landed at nearby Ebbsfleet. Hengist became the first Saxon King of Kent. The ‘Hugin’ first landed at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, before being placed on permanent display here. There is little evidence of ships from the 5th century and ‘Hugin’s’ design is based on a later Viking longship.
On the foreshore more recent ‘invaders’ would have arrived in giant SRN4 Hovercraft at the International Hoverport, (officially opened in 1969) after trials with smaller SRN6 craft at Ramsgate Harbour, which recently undertook extensive restoration work during 2005 and now is back in its full glory. |
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| Viking Ship ‘Hugin’ |
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In its later versions the massive SRN4 could carry over 400 passengers and 55 cars at 60mph, routinely crossing the Channel in 40 minutes. In 1982, after malgamation between Hoverlloyd and its rival Seaspeed, services from Pegwell Bay ceased. |
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