Builders: Cammell Laird & Co Ltd 1950
Propulsion type: Steam Turbine
Owners: Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd
Service dates: 1951 - 1980
Tonnage: Gross 2491
Comments:
Mona's Isle (V) was launched on 12 October 1950 and came into service the following year. She was the last of the series of "Quins" built by Cammell Laird and Mona's Isle differed slightly in appearance in that her saloon windows (also in Snaefell) were continued to the rear of the ship. In other respects she resembled her sisters and the series proved popular and reliable. That being said Mona's Isle (V) did have a mishap in June 1955, when she ran aground off Fleetwood. She collided with the fishing boat Ludo, which was sliced in half, losing a crew member. In February 1964 she ran aground again, this time off Peel, IOM, and she had to be towed to Birkenhead for repairs. Peel was the alternative port for the Isle if Douglas was closed due to weather conditions. Keith Sutton, who kindly has supplied additional information for this ship, tells me that it is not hard to understand why she ran aground, as the quay is a rather tight fit for a vessel of this size. Mona's Isle (V) reopened the Fleetwood service from Douglas in August 1971. She was the last of the company's ships to use low pressure turbines. She was withdrawn in 1980 for static use, but a new company has been formed in 2002 to restore her to her former glory. For more details please see the Manxman Steamship Company site at www.manxmansteamship.fsnet.co.uk. For a picture of her disembarking passengers at Llandudno in July 1956 please click here.
With thanks to Keith Sutton for additional information on this ship.