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The Gosport Ferry is a ferry service operating between Gosport pontoon and Portsmouth pontoon in Hampshire, southern England. It is currently operated by Gosport Ferry Ltd, a subsidiary of the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company plc, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Falkland Islands Holdings, following a takeover in 2004. ==History== The company that currently operates the Gosport ferry was created in 1883 as the ''Port of Portsmouth Steam Launch & Towing Company'', making it one of the longest serving ferry services in the UK. In 1963, it took over the ''Gosport & Portsea Watermen's Steam Launch Company'', founded in 1875 by the Watermen, who had operated ferries on the route for centuries. These Watermen had enjoyed protected rights between 1603 and 1840, limiting operation of ferries on the route to Gosport residents. In 1840, a steam operated chain ferry was introduced,〔South Coast Railways – Portsmouth to Southampton. Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith. ISBN 0-906520-31-2.〕 to a design similar to that already in use at Woolston. The chain ferry ceased operation in 1959.〔 Upon the takeover in 1963, the company changed its name to the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company (plc since 2001).〔(A Brief History of Portsmouth Harbour Ferries )〕 In addition to Gosport Ferries Ltd and other related interests, PHFC also owns Clarence Marine Engineering Ltd, which provides maintenance services for the ferries as well as general marine engineering services. Gosport Ferries Ltd was incorporated in 1988, registered company 2254382;〔(Gosport Ferries Ltd company information )〕 Clarence Marine Engineering was incorporated in 1987, registered company 2139067.〔(Clarence Marine Engineering company information )〕 Both are non- trading companies whose registered office is located in South Street, Gosport, head offices for the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Ltd plc, registered company 18751.〔(Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Ltd plc company information )〕 In 2004 the Falkand Islands Holdings completed a hostile takeover with a value of £7.5 Million. The takeover was met with controversy as it was believes that "if the company gets into the hands of one shareholder, fares will rise and investment in the ferries will fall".〔http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/ferry-in-takeover-battle-1-1262961〕 On 10 December the Falkland Island Company released a statement 〔http://www.fihplc.com/download/10Dec04.pdf〕 announcing it had over 51% of the total shares and set out the terms for the purchase of the rest; The Share Offer - 7 New FIH Shares for every PHFC Share The Part Cash Alternative - £25 in cash and £10 in Loan Notes The Full Cash Alternative - £35 in cash 〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gosport Ferry」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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