Builders: Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead 1946
Propulsion type: Twin screw, single reduction geared turbines
Owners: Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd, Maravic Navigation Inc (Monrovia), Chandris Lines
Service dates: 1946 - 1980
Tonnage: Gross 2485
Comments:
Monas Queen (IV) was launched in February 1946, achieving over 21 knots on her trials. Her maiden voyage was on 26 June, when she sailed to Douglas from Liverpool. In March 1952 she was involved in a collision with Battery Pier at Douglas, although was not severely damaged. Over the next couple of years she was plagued by boiler trouble and underwent a major refit in early 1954, when she was also fitted with radar. She had another collision in August 1959, this time with Prince's Stage, resulting in her going early for her winter lay up. Mona's Queen (IV) undertook the final sailing on 11 September 1961 from Fleetwood before the passenger berths there were considered beyond economical repair. This was quite an event in that 1193 passengers were on board and that local school children were allowed time off to watch her progress down the river. In all she was watched by over 5000 people on her departure from Fleetwood. She was laid up for sale at Barrow a week or so later. She was sold a year later to a Monrovian concern for use out of Greece, when was renamed Barrow Queen and after initial engine trouble she went to Piraeus, where she sailed for a further 19 years as Fiesta. She was finally broken up at Perama in September 1981.
This card was sent on 4 November 1953 to Ted Groom,by his son who had just travelled to Douglas from Liverpool, having been delayed by a North Westerly gale.