Looking for info about Shanghai-HK ferry named 海興號 circa 1986

Submitted by Diamondz34 on Sun, 06/30/2024 - 07:48

Hi,

I'm writing my memoir which includes the year I spent as a grad student at the Stanford Language Center  in Taibei studying Mandarin, 1985-86, followed by solo travel in China.. One memorable trip was a ferry ride from Shanghai to HK in July 1986 which was interrupted by Typhoon Peggy.  In my notes the ship was named 海興號 Hai-xing-hao. I'd appreciate a suggestion on how to translate that into English.

I'd also love to find a picture of that ferry boat or any other of the type from that era, especially the interior. I recall I shared a sleeper cabin with a fellow American, but have no pictures.

Duo-xie duo-xie!

Steve Diamond

For information on  Chinese passenger ships of the period visit the Old China Coast Ships website.

https://www.oldchinaships.com/

Click on  HK Local  tab and then select pdf  Hong Kong-Near North (from 1899) & Post-1978 Hong Kong-Shanghai​​​​​​

The photos are copyright and intended for study purposes.

There is a a three part video of the sister ship SHANGHAI on the Youtube site Peter Knego's MidShipCinema

https://www.youtube.com/@midshipcinema

For history of the HAI XING as the former RANDFONTEIN

http://ssmaritime.com/fontein-ships-3.htm

Hope this is useful.

degahk

Many thanks, degahk! I know very little about ships in general. The 1986 Shanghai-HK “voyage” was my only time as a passenger on a ship. 
Just skimming the resources you sent, I can see it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. I think I was actually on a passenger ship, not a “ferry” as I always thought of it. Especially since I had a two-berth cabin. 
Thanks again.

Thanks again degahk!  The last link you provided “For history of the HAI XING as the former RANDFONTEIN” is a winner! I had no idea of the detailed history available of the one-and-only coastal ferry ship I have ever been on. Great addition to my memoir  piece.

I was en route Shanghai-HK on July 11th, 1986 when we had to temporary dock in Wenzhou due to the approaching Typhoon Peggy.  Quite the experience.

Much appreciated,

Steve