Stock Photo - Jun. 06, 1961 - Britain's First 'Hovership' - Makes Its Public Debut. It Just floats Across Top Of The Water. 70 Passengers.: Britain's first 'Hovership' - built by William Denny and Brothers Ltd., in collaboration with Hovercraft Devlopment Ltd - made its first public debut yesterday - on Gareloch near Dumbarton. The 4 1/2 ton machine is first phase on an intensive research programme being under taken to produce a passenger carrying hoverferry by next year. It is the first of the 'side wall' hovercraft primarily for marine purposes and differs from other experimental hovercraft types in that its side-walls remain continuously in water and the machine never becomes fully airborne - although its weight is supported by air cushion. It is built of plywood and sheet and measures approx 60ft. x 10ft. and normally manned by a crow of three, a pilot and two instrument observes. The side walls retain the air cushion under the craft and the cushion is contained at each end by a curtain formed by a thin jet of air forced downwards and inwards along the full width of the craft between the walls. Forward propulsion of the machine is provided by two 'Mercury' 300 outboard motors with variable pitch propellors - each developing 35 b.h.p while power for the fans is provided (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)