The Stena Galloway at Chaine Quay, Larne in April 1995. Photo: Gary Andrews
Chaine Quay
The Stena Galloway at Chaine Quay, Larne in April
1995. Photo: Gary Andrews
| Depth of Water to Chart Datum | 6.0 metres |
| Max. Length of Vessel | 135 metres |
| Max. Beam of Vessel | 30 metres |
| Ramp | Double Decked two lane Up to 180 tonnes on lower deck |
| Additional Features | Overhead Passenger Walkway direct from Passenger Terminal |
Chaine Quay was one of the initial berths constructed at the harbour way back in the 19th century. Then it played host to everything from humble coasters to transatlantic liners of the State Line.
At the present location of Chaine Quay there used to be two general cargo berths called the Middle berth and the North End. The two berths combined ran from the top of the present Islandmagee ferry slip up to what is now Continental Quay although the separate berths ran at slightly different angles to each other. Both berths were fitted with "swan neck" grab cranes for unloading coal and wood pulp. The two berths were served by narrow gauge railway, a line which connected with the main line out of the port ran at right angles to the berth to a small turntable situated between the North end and the Middle berth. The wagons were then turned through 90 degrees and shunted up and down the lines along the quayside by capstan. The running rails for the swan neck cranes can still be seen at the Islandmagee ferry slip.
Development into a state of the art ro-ro berth occurred in 1978 after which the messy coal handling was transferred exclusively to the Bank Quay. A double deck ramp was fitted and the berth served the Stranraer service of Sealink right up until their move from Larne in November 1995. The name of the berth was amended to Chaine Quay in memory of the pioneer founder of the harbour James Chaine who did so much to develop the harbour until his untimely death from pneumonia on the 4th of May 1885, aged 44.
In 1986 airline style departure facilities were provided with the building of an overhead walkway from the new terminal building. This allowed ferry passengers to travel from the ship to the terminal and then on to trains or buses with out having to brace the elements.
Now the berth is too small for the conventional ferry traffic currently using the port, except for the European Mariner, but it does host the fast ferry service of the Superstar Express during the summer season.
Updated: 18/02/05