190 Years: A Look Back at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Vessels

In the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s 190^th anniversary year, it has been heartening to take time out to look back and reflect on our long and diverse history. It is with great pride that we commemorate this special milestone and have enjoyed a number of anniversary celebrations in recent months, including dressing our fleet and sounding the whistles on 30^th June – the day our very first wooden paddle steamer was launched all those years ago.

In June, we also shared a blog which looked back at nine key moments in the Steam Packet Company’s history. From our very first crossing in 1830 to the Isle of Man Government agreeing a deal to purchase the Company in 2018 – the waters we have navigated, often into uncharted territory, have provided an unbroken lifeline for the Manx people for approaching two centuries.

To mark the anniversary of our first crossing, which took passengers from Douglas to Liverpool on 17^th August 1830, we have been reminiscing about yesteryear and our historic fleet, which comprises 72 past and current vessels – from the wooden paddle steamers of the 19^th century to the fast crafts and conventional ferries of today.

Our vessels

Let’s take a look at some of our past vessels and their stories and journeys.

Mona’s Isle [1] – 1830

Mona’s Isle [1], our first ever vessel, was a wooden paddle steamer built in Glasgow. Considered a very fine vessel of her time, she was the first ship to serve the Isle of Man designed with passenger comfort in mind, rather than solely the transportation of freight. She served the Manx people well for 21 years, until she was sold for breaking up in 1851. 

King Orry [1] – 1842

King Orry [1] was the final wooden paddle steamer of the Steam Packet Company fleet, with sturdier iron paddle steamers replacing the traditional wooden steamships. She holds a special place in the Company’s heart as the only vessel to be built in the Isle of Man. King Orry was later sold for part payment of a new iron paddle steamer, the Douglas [1].   

Ben-my-Chree [3] – 1908

Ben-my-Chree [3], the third vessel to bear this name, was purpose-built in 1907 for the Steam Packet Company, but later requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1915 for the First World War and converted to a seaplane carrier. Sadly, while anchored at the Greek island of Kastellorizo, she was shot at and set on fire before sinking in shallow water.

Manx Maid [2] – 1962

The arrival of the Manx Maid in 1962, the Steam Packet Company’s first car ferry, created excitement for the Manx people and drew large crowds at Douglas Harbour. For the first time, passengers could travel with their vehicles with ease! The highly successful Manx Maid, also the first of our vessels to be fitted with stabilisers, was sold in 1985 and later broken up.

Ben-my-Chree [5] – 1965

Following the success of the Manx Maid, our second car ferry and the fifth vessel to bear the name Ben-my-Chree (Manx Gaelic for ‘girl of my heart’), was launched in 1965. Similar to the Manx Maid in many ways and considered her sister ship, she was the Company’s last steamer and the last vessel to be built with her passenger accommodation designed for two classes. She was sold, then chartered back to the Steam Packet Company for the busy peak TT period in 1985, and finally re-sold for breaking up in 1989.

Isle of Man Steam packet Company vessels 

1830 – 2020 (and beyond)

1. Mona’s Isle [1] / wooden paddle steamer / Launched: 1830

2. Mona [1] / Wooden paddle steamer / Launched: 1832

3. Queen of the Isle / Wooden paddle steamer / Launched: 1834

4. King Orry [1] / Wooden paddle steamer / Launched: 1842

5. Ben-my-Chree [1] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1845

6. Tynwald [1] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1846

7. Mona’ Queen [1] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1852

8. Douglas [1] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1858

9. Mona’s Isle [2] / Ellan Vannin – Built as an iron paddle steamer and converted into twin screw steamer / Launched: 1860

10. Snaefell [1] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1863

11. Douglas [2] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1864

12. Tynwald [2] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched:  1866

13. King Orry [2] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1871

14. Ben-my-Chree [2] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1875

15. Snaefell [2] / Iron paddle steamer / Launched: 1876

16. Mona [2] / Iron single screw steamer / Launched: 1878

17. Fenella [1] / Iron twin screw steamer / Launched: 1881

18. Mona’s Isle [3] / Steel paddle steamer / Launched: 1882

19. Peveril [1] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1884

20. Mona’s Queen [2] / Steel paddle steamer / Launched: 1885

21. Prince of Wales / Steel paddle steamer / Launched: 1887

22. Queen Victoria / Steal paddle steamer / Launched: 1887

23. Tynwald [3] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1891

24. Empress Queen / Steel paddle steamer / Launched: 1897

25. Douglas [3] / Steel single screw steamer / Launched: 1889

26. Mona [3] / Steel paddle steamer / Launched: 1889

27. Viking – Steel triple screw direct drive turbine steamer – Launched: 1905

28. Ben-my-Chree [3] / Steel triple screw direct drive turbine steamer / Launched: 1908

29. Snaefell [3] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1910

30. Tyrconnel / Steel single screw steamer / Launched: 1892

31. The Ramsey / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1895

32. Peel Castle / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1894

33. King Orry [3] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1913

34. Mona [4] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1907

35. Manxman [1] / Steel triple screw steamer / Launched: 1904

36. Mona’s Isle [4] / Steel triple screw steamer / Launched: 1905

37. Snaefell [4] / Steel triple screw steamer / Launched: 1906

38. Cushag / Steel single screw steamer / Launched: 1908

39. Manx Maid [1] / Steel triple screw steamer / Launched: 1910

40. Ben-my-Chree [4] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1927

41. Victoria / Steel triple screw steamer / Launched: 1907

42. Ramsey Town / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1904

43. Rushen Castle / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1898

44. Peveril [2] / Steel single screw steamer / Launched: 1929

45. Lady of Mann [1] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1930

46. Conister [1] / Steel single screw steamer / Launched: 1921

47. Mona’s Queen [3] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1934

48. Fenella [2] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1936

49. Tynwald [4] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1936

50. King Orry [4] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1945

51. Mona’s Queen [4] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1946

52. Tynwald [5] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1947

53. Snaefell [5] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1948

54. Mona’s Isle [5] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1950

55. Fenella [3] / Steel single screw diesel motorship / Launched: 1951

56. Manxman [2] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1955

57. Manx Maid [2] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1962

58. Peveril [3] / Steel single screw diesel motorship / Launched: 1963

59. Ramsey / Steel single screw diesel motorship / Launched: 1964

60. Ben-my-Chree [5] / Steel twin screw steamer / Launched: 1965

61. Mona’s Queen [5] / Steel twin screw 10 Cyl. Pielstick diesel motorship / Launched: 1972

62. Conister [2] / Steel single screw Sulzer motorship / Acquired by IOMSPC: 1973

63. Lady of Mann [2] / Steel twin screw 12 Cyl. Pielstick diesel motorship / Launched: 1975

64. Peveril [4] / Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship / Acquired by IOMSPC: 1993

65. Mona’s Isle [6] / Steel twin screw M.A.N diesel motorship / Acquired by IOMSPC: 1984

66. Manx Viking / Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship / Acquired by IOMSPC: 1978

67. Tynwald [6] / Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship / Launched: 1967

68. King Orry [5] / Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship / Acquired by IOMSPC: 1990

69. Belard / Steel single screw MaK diesel motorship / Chartered to IOMSPC: 2002

70. SeaCat Isle of Man (later renamed Snaefell) / Aluminium hulled fast craft catamaran / Chartered to IOMSPC from 1994

71. SuperSeaCat Two (later renamed Viking) / Monohull fast craft catamaran / Chartered to IOMSPC from 1998 and later purchased

72. Ben-my-Chree [6] / Roll on/roll off passenger ferry / Launched in 1998 and still in service today

73. Manannan / Fast craft catamaran / Acquired by IOMSPC in 2008 and still in service today

74. TBC – a new purpose-built vessel expected to commence service in spring 2023 – find out more

Note that the launch dates mentioned are not necessarily when the Steam Packet Company’s connection with the vessels began, i.e. some were purpose-built for the Company whereas others were acquired or chartered at a later date from their launch. Other vessels have also been chartered by the Company during this time, such as MV Arrow, which is currently on long-term charter, and previous vessels including Rapide and Riverdance.

Looking ahead

While it’s fascinating to look back on the rich and wide-ranging history of our fleet, it is also enjoyable to look ahead to the next chapter. In July 2020, our Board of Directors signed a contract with one of the world’s major shipbuilders, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, based in South Korea. This marks an important milestone in our history and the next step in securing a replacement vessel for conventional ferry Ben-my-Chree [6].

Expected to commence service in spring 2023, the new addition will play an important part in our future plans, bringing high levels of passenger and on-board facilities and enhanced freight capability.

This truly is an exciting time in our history and, in the year we mark our 190^th anniversary, we’re excited about the new vessel which will take us to our 200^th year and beyond.