Compare Sidney/Tsawwassen to pre-stretch V's

[Low Light Mike]

Darren-Collector's photos of Sidney and his model of "City of Vancouver" has got me thinking of the differences in interior layout of the Sidney/Tsawwassen ships to the pre-stretch original 7 sisters.

Since the V-7 had less of a gap between the bow and the start of the superstructure, what was done with that extra interior space?

Was the forward lounge just longer, or was the extra space found in the original mid-ship lounge?

Also, what was the reason for changing the design, so that the superstructure would be closer to the bow on the V-7?

My time-machine's not working today, so I was hoping that some of you would have some memories or facts re this.

Thanks.

[FNS]

My best guess is that the TSAWWASSEN and SIDNEY were quickly designed after the COHO and put into service. The VANCOUVER, VICTORIA, SAANICH, ESQUIMALT, BURNABY, NEW WESTMINSTER, and NANAIMO's original design featured greater seating areas than the first two.

[Dane]

I could be mistaken as I haven't read it for years - but wasn't seating and dining a major issue on the first two vessels so they did what they could with the Sidney/Tsawwassen and corrected this issue with a new floor plan for the future-V class?

[bcfcbccsscollector]

The books that I have on the early days of B.C. Ferries merely state that they designed the V class based on "Experience" learned from the Sidney and Tsawwassen. Mainly being, the demand for cafeteria space. This is quite evident by the addition of space aft of Sidney and Tsawwassen, which was designed into place on construction of the V's (And subsequently B's). The other change may reflect, as has been said already, increased passenger space.

Funny, without having the book in front of me, that Monty Aldous, riding the pre-fabricated Sidney/Tsawwassen with W.A.C. Bennett, took him to the cafeteria lineup when it was getting chaotic and told him, "Great ship Cec, but you could starve to death", and just like that the modifications were made.

[WettCoast]

The Sidney and Tsawwassen, as I understand it, were very similar to the design of the Coho, which had just been built. The only major alteration to the Coho design was that the BC ships had bows modified for loading over the bow rather than side loading.

The original V's were again variations on the Coho design. They were obviously built with greater inside passenger accommodation, especially for food service areas. But there were other more important differences such as the V's being wider. Each lane on the car deck of a V is wider than on the Sidney class. My recent trip on the Tsawwassen reinforced my opinion that these vessels really have three lanes on each side, not four.

My understanding is that the V class design also allowed for future expansion. I do not know if at the time some engineers and naval architects were already envisioning the future stretching and lifting. Apparently such alterations were not possible on the Sidney class. On the other hand, the original three AMHS vessels known as the 'Blue Canoes', are all Coho variations and were all stretched.

Another difference is the raised forward lounge on the Sidney class. This was discontinued on the V's. They may have done this to raise the wheelhouse for improved visibility. On the V's, the wheelhouse is closer to the bow therefore no need for the raising.

On a related subject the Sidney Class vessels originally had steel plate fencing right to the bow. This apparently obstructed the view from the wheelhouse, particularly when docking at Tsawwassen. They solved the problem at about the same time as when the dining rooms were added. Compare the two photos below.

[Low Light Mike]

Thanks for the insight, everyone.

I had forgotton about the raised forward-lounge on the Sidney/Tsawwassen.

[Barnacle]

An interesting distinction on the bows of the Sidney and Tsawwassen with the cut-outs for visibility. (Man, what a tough time typing that word.) I've wondered about that for years... the inability to see the bow during docking would drive me crazy.

[Pnwtraveler]

The Coho still has access to the very front of the bow. In rough weather it is fun and quite a ride to be right in the prow. However, if you hit a big wave and conditions are right you can get wet from the spray though.