Builders: Cammell Laird & Co Ltd 1955
Propulsion type: 4 Steam Turbines
Owners: Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd
Service dates: 1955 - 1982
Tonnage: Gross 2495
Comments:
The order for a new turbine steamer was placed by the Company in 1953 with Cammell Laird's Birkenhead yard. She followed the "Quins" (King Orry, Mona's Queen, Tynwald, Snaefell and Mona's Isle), but had modifications to her boilers and machinery, resulting in an economic and fast vessel capable of almost 22 knots. In September 1957 she grounded in the Mersey after an exceptionally low tide and whilst tugs stood by they were not needed. She was altered slightly in 1960 by the addition of an extension to the bridge deck, which was needed to provide extra stowage space for additional life saving equipment due to a change in the regulations. She lasted longer than any of her sisters and by 1982 was the last "Classic" passenger steamer operating in British waters. She took her last trip for the Company on 4 September and undertook a day trip excursion from Liverpool to Douglas. She was sold for use as a nightclub in Preston's Albert Edward dock and stayed in this role until June 1990. She was then towed to Liverpool and berthed at Waterloo Dock in November of the same year, where she opened as a nightclub again, under the name Manxman Princess. In April 1994 she was sold again and towed to Hull for use as a night club yet again. In 1997 she was moved again, this time to Sunderland. In 1999 she began to take on water and was partially submerged for a period of days. As far as I am aware she remains at Sunderland and whilst externally she looks similar she is unrecognisable inside. This picture was taken by Cyril Perrier at Liverpool on 9 January 1966. I am grateful to Cyril for allowing me to share it with you here.