Isle of Man Transport: A Colour Journey in Time

Steam Railways, Ships, and Road Services Buses

Martin Jenkins, Charles Roberts

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Transport
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781473862494
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Rail Transportation
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This stunning selection of color views, dating from the period 1953-1980, includes most of the vessels operated during this period by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and The Ramsey Steamship Company. Passenger boats and freighters are seen at ports on the island and on the mainland. There is comprehensive coverage of the Peel, Ramsey and Port Erin lines operated by the Isle of Man Railway with some outstanding views taken during the 1950s, together with excellent portraits of most of the locomotives, as well carriages, vans, wagons, lorries, stations, staff and signal boxes. Also covered are Douglas Station and its environs, St John's junction and the Sunday 'specials' to Braddan. Many of the rich mix of bus types operated by the railway subsidiary, Isle of Man Road Services, are seen in a variety of locations. Included are some of the vehicles delivered just before and shortly after the Second World War. There are good views of the fascinating Ramsey Pier Tramway and its unusual rolling stock, as well as rare scenes taken as early as 1953 on the Groudle Glen Railway. For anyone who loves the Isle of Man and its wealth of vintage transport, this book provides a remarkable trip down memory lane and a colorful reminder of some of its lost glories. The book is dedicated to the memory of John McCann who took brilliant color views on the island starting in 1953.

Today, residents and visitors travel to and from the Island by sea and by air. Before the first steam-powered vessel called at the Island in 1815, all travel had been on sailing packets, principally from Liverpool or Whitehaven. To offer residents an improved service, a Manx Company was formed in 1830 that, two years later, became the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSPCo) whose function was to maintain regular links with the UK for residents, tourists, cargo, coal and mail. This view from Douglas Head taken in July 1971 shows the main harbour facilities at Douglas with the King Edward VIII Pier (foreground) and the Victoria Pier to the north. At the piers are representatives of the IOMSPCo fleet with their distinctive black and red ‘Cunard-style’ funnels. (Brian Patton)

Over the years, the Company has operated many passenger vessels, of which the oldest to be captured in colour appears to be the triple-screw steamship Victoria (1641GRT [Gross Register Tonnage]). Launched in 1907 by William Denny & Bros for the South Eastern & Chatham Railway, Victoria was sold to the IOMSPCo in 1928, after which she worked mostly on secondary services or advertised excursions. After serving as a troop carrier during the Second World War, the ship was reconditioned and remained in service until the end of the 1956 season, after which she was scrapped at Barrow. In this view she was at Douglas on 3 August 1953. Many years earlier, her overall appearance had been improved with removal of the cowls from the tops of her funnels. (Jim Jarvis/Online Transport Archive)

Certain names have been reused over the years; for example, the first Ben-my-Chree dated from 1845. The fourth Ben-my-Chree is seen at Douglas in August 1953. Built by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead in 1927, this handsome twin-screw steamship (2586GRT) was the first new vessel to be acquired by the IOMSPCo after the First World War. Powered by Parsons single-reduction steam turbines, the oil-burning steamer was capable of a speed of 23 knots. Built with a largely enclosed upper deck and improved saloon and steerage accommodation including sleeping quarters, ‘The Ben’ had a crew of 82 and could carry 2586 passengers. Following distinguished war service that included troop carrying and participation in the evacuation from Dunkirk (1940) as well as the D-Day landings (1944), she was refitted and rejoined the Company fleet. During this time, her single funnel was shortened and the cowl removed. (John McCann/Online Transport Archive)

Captain Griffin stands on the bridge of ‘The Ben’ on the occasion of her last ever crossing, which was from Douglas to Liverpool on 13 September 1965. After this, the ship was briefly renamed Benmy-Chree II so that the Company’s new carry ferry could take her name. After nearly 40 years’ service, ‘The Ben’ left Liverpool for breakers in Belgium in December 1965. (G. W. Price)

The next vessel to arrive was named Lady of Mann after the title held by the Duchess of Atholl, who performed the launch ceremony at Vickers-Armstrongs in Barrow-in-Furness in March 1930. Fitted with similar equipment to the Ben-my-Chree, this large twin-screw steamer (3104GRT) could also achieve a speed of 23 knots. During the Second World War she often worked in tandem with ‘The Ben’ as a troop ship, taking part at Dunkirk and also during the D-Day landings. After the war she was reconditioned by Cammell Laird and like ‘The Ben’ was mostly used at times of peak demand, when her capacity to carry 2873 passengers with 81 crew proved invaluable on busier crossings. Shown here in July 1959, she is waiting to sail to Douglas from the giant floating landing stage at Liverpool. After making her last sailing on 17 August 1971, ‘The Lady’ returned to her birthplace at Barrow before sailing to a breaker’s yard on the Clyde. She was 41 years old. (Donald Nevin)

As already indicated, IOMSPCo vessels played a vital role during the Second World War, with eight of the fleet being involved in the mass evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk. Four vessels were lost: King Orry (built 1913), Mona’s Queen (built 1934) and the twins Fenella and Tynwald (built 1937). To begin replenishing their fleet, the Company placed an order with Cammell Laird for the first of six sister ships that became known as the ‘King Orry’ class. Entering service between 1946 and 1955, these were essentially modified versions of the 1937 vessels. The twin-screw steamer King Orry (2485GRT), the fourth ship to carry the name, set the pattern, with her raked stern, single cowl-topped funnel, two masts and improved accommodation which included private cabins which could be reserved in advance. She had a crew of 68, could carry 2136 passengers and was capable of 21 knots, power being provided by the Company’s preferred single-reduction geared turbines. Here, ‘The Orry’ is leaving Fleetwood in 1971, just a few days after a seasonal service to Douglas had been reintroduced after a gap of some ten years. This fine ship made her final voyage four years later on 31 August 1975 and was eventually broken up at Strood in 1979. (Peter Deegan)

The Mona’s Queen (IV) which entered service in 1946 was virtually identical to ‘The Orry’ although she was licensed to carry slightly more passengers. She was photographed here at Douglas in May 1953. Her career with the IOMSPCo proved short-lived. After sailing mostly to Fleetwood or Liverpool, her duties were partially displaced in 1955 when the more economical Manxman and the recently refitted King Orry assumed responsibility for the two boat Douglas–Liverpool winter service. On 11 September 1961, ‘The Queen’ had nearly 1200 passengers on board when she undertook the last sailing from Fleetwood for ten years, the service being suspended owing to the unsafe state of the wooden landing berth. Five days later she made her last-ever voyage for the Company, after which she was offered for sale. Although newer than the two surviving pre-war vessels, she carried fewer (2163, plus 68 crew) and the Company also believed she would fetch a better price. After being laid up at Barrow for much of 1962, she was renamed Barrow Queen and left for Piraeus at the end of that year. Subsequently, she had various names before being broken up as the Fiesta in 1981. (Jim Jarvis/Online Transport Archive)

Delivered in 1947, Tynwald (V) (2490GRT) was virtually identical to her earlier sisters except for the provision of additional windows on the promenade deck. She was licensed to carry 2393 passengers and could achieve a speed just in excess of 21 knots. Tynwald made her final sailing on 26 August 1974 having suffered serious damage to her turbines. She was broken up the following year in Spain. In this view she is alongside Victoria Pier in August 1953. (Jim Jarvis/Online Transport Archive)

The fourth of the six sisters, Snaefell (V), entered service in 1948 and was again almost identical to the other members of the class. She made her final voyage on 29 August 1977, after which she was laid up in Birkenhead Docks until sold for scrap in 1978. Here she backs out of Douglas Harbour in May 1953. For generations of travellers, these classic ships were often referred to as ‘little liners’ or ‘little Cunarders’ on account of their red and black funnels. Note the Manx coat of arms on the bow and the location of the triple-chime steam whistle on the upper front of the funnel. (Jim Jarvis/Online Transport Archive)

Mona’s Isle (V) (2491 GRT), the fifth member of the ‘King Orry’ class, entered service in 1950 and was the last IOMSPCo steamer to be fitted with low-pressure turbines. Operated by a crew of 67, she had accommodation for 2268 and although very similar to Snaefell, she had no Manx crest on her bows. Here she is steaming between Douglas and Liverpool on 9 July 1955. She was the first Company vessel to sail to the new Fleetwood facilities in August 1971. As visitor numbers to the Island declined, it...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• INTRODUCTION
• Chapter 1
• Bibliography