The History of 'Transmanche' Crossings

• XIII century

First trade links with England (exportation of wine and wheat, importation of wool, metal, coal, leather).
• 22 May 1822

First steamship, the " Rob Roy ", with 6 passengers aboard from Dover.
• 1823

Creation of a regular link Rye-Boulogne (1 crossing per week).
• 4 May 1835

Captain Hayward made the first Boulogne - Dover - Boulogne crossing on the same tide.
• 1848

The "South Eastern" passenger transport company started transporting goods to and from England.
• 1st January 1848

First Postal crossing between Boulogne and Dover.
• 1869

Creation of a deep water port to allow vessels to come into Boulogne at all times.
• 15 October 1875

Transfer of the France and England regular passenger service, via Boulogne-Folkestone, to 'Quai Ouest'
• 1883

Project of building a landing stage at Quai Ouest for the regular passenger services.
• 26 September 1884

Removal of the lower jetty was requested to facilitate accosting of liners.
• 1st June 1897

The "South Eastern" company carries out a daily evening service between Boulogne and Folkestone at set times. In 1902 this service becomes the fastest of those that run between Paris and London.
• 31 July 1968

Inauguration of the Boulogne - Dover Hovercraft crossing by the "Princess Margaret". The following day sees the start of regular commercial crossings by Hovercraft.
• 25 October 1981

Creation of the Hoverspeed Company.
• 1992

Sees the start of catamaran crossings by 'Seacat'.
• 2004

Reinstatement of the Boulogne-sur-Mer / Dover link.