Memories of the Sally Line

In November 2021, a fire at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum resulted in the loss of the Sally ferries collection including the scale model of the ferry Viking One and other memorabilia. The loss of the collection was a devasting blow.

Memories do live on, however, and many local people do have warm recollections of travelling on the Sally ferries. The days trips were legendary – people remember the discos, the smorgasbords and not forgetting the duty frees!

Before the fire at the Maritime Museum, I created a Facebook group, ‘Sally Ferries and the History of Port Ramsgate’. It is a small group of crew members and people with a thirst for nostalgia. With the group already in place, I started collecting (through the group) a replacement collection of memorabilia - not for me, but for Ramsgate.

The collection was to be memorabilia as Sally Ferries produced so many souvenirs. Some items like the coffee mugs were locally produced. Since 2022, the collection has made some good progress through donations. I even purchased items on eBay. Overall, it is looking good, and I would say slow but steady. My intention in holding the collection is to be a custodian of it, and I will probably pass it on to the Maritime Museum, when it reopens.

Written by:
Councillor Tony Ovenden
Sir Moses Montefiore Ward