An interesting report from a storm in January 1990 and the car ferry sailing out of Newhaven.
http://ournewhaven.org.uk/page_id__1487_path__0p69p87p70p.aspx
and information on the ferry involved.
http://www.hhvferry.com/Chartres2.html
http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SNCF_Chartres_1974.html