Isle of Man Steam Packet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world, celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2005.
As of 2005 it provides freight, passenger and vehicle services between the port of Douglas, Isle of Man and four ports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Steam Packet Company is owned by Macquarie Bank, an Australian investment bank.
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[edit] Current routes
The routes which the Steam Packet Company operates are:
- Isle of Man to Heysham: year-round service
- Isle of Man to Liverpool: year-round service
- Isle of Man to Belfast: seasonal service only
- Isle of Man to Dublin: seasonal service only
[edit] History
[edit] Beginnings
It originated, as its name suggests, in the Isle of Man, a self-governing democracy located in the Irish Sea at the geographical centre of the British Isles. Although it is not part of the United Kingdom, the Island is a Crown dependency.
There had been various shipping companies serving the Island before the formation of this company in 1830, but such crossings were irregular and vessels used were unreliable. As a result the Island could be cut off for weeks. The locals began to feel it was essential that they should have their own dedicated service and eventually a meeting was held in Douglas (the capital of the island) in 1829 from which was formed a committee charged with finding out the cost of a Steam Packet.
On June 30, 1830, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was born when the brand new vessel, ‘Mona’s Isle’, built at a cost of £7,250, sailed from Douglas to Liverpool on its very first sailing. Since that time, the Company has adhered to its founding principles of providing a dedicated and reliable sea service for the Isle of Man and its people.
[edit] War service
Vessels and crews of the company were actively involved in both the World War I and World War II, acquitting themselves with honour in both instances. One vessel, King Orry, which was attached to the British Grand Fleet, had the distinction of leading the German Fleet into Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands at the end of World War I.
During World War I, eleven out of a total fleet of 15 Steam Packet ships were requisitioned by the Admiralty, four of which were lost, three retained by the Government and four returned to service. Another vessel, Viking was one of the first (if not the very first) vessel to be converted to an aircraft carrier, serving as HMS Vindex and, in so doing, making a significant contribution to aviation and maritime history. Ben-my-Chree and Manxman also served as aircraft/seaplane carriers.
In World War II, ten of the fleet of 16 ships were commandeered for active duty, four of which were lost. The Dunkirk evacuation was perhaps the company's finest hour, with ‘Mona’s Isle’ (the original vessel) being the first vessel to leave Dover and the first to complete the round trip during the evacuation. Eight company ships took part in this historic mission, rescuing a grand total of 24,699 British troops from certain death. As a matter of interest and of record, this means that 1 in 14 lives saved during the Dunkirk evacuation was brought out by an Isle of Man Steam Packet ship.
[edit] Vehicle transport
The Steam Packet Company introduced car ferries beginning with the ‘Manx Maid’ in 1962. It now also operates a fast ferry service with the HSC SuperSeaCat Two.
[edit] Today
The company's aim is to provide consistent services with convenient and fast crossing times and to offer a wide range of promotional fares to the travelling public. Fast craft and conventional vessels make up a modern fleet providing high levels of on-board service. In return for exclusive use of the port areas at Douglas, the Steam Packet Company has made a guarantee of regular services to the Manx Government
In addition to the regular routes, the Company operates a small number of special day excursions to other destinations during the summer months. The company operates its own in-house travel agency, Steam Packet Holidays, formally Magic Holidays.
[edit] Ownership
In 1996, The Steam Packet Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sea Containers Ltd headed by James Sherwood, who had pioneered the fast craft operation. In July 2003, the Company was sold to Montagu Private Equity for £142 million, previously named HSBC Private Equity Ltd.
In 2005 the company was purchased by major Australian finance firm Macquarie Bank for £225 million, who also bought Wightlink, the Isle of Wight ferry company for £230 million.
[edit] The Fleet
- MV Ben my Chree (Fleet Flagship)
- HSC SuperSeaCat 2
- HSC Sea Express 1
- HSC Emeraude France
[edit] Accidents
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This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. |
On 3 February 2007 Sea Express One (formerly SeaCat Isle of Man) collided with the cargo ship Alaska Rainbowin heavy fog in the River Mersey. None of the reported 294 passengers and crew were hurt, and the ferry was moored at Liverpool Pier Head while water is being pumped from the engine room. 80 cars remain on board, and passengers have been warned that some may have been damaged. She was later towed to the Cammell Laird basin in Birkenhead.
On 6 February 2007, All cars remaining aboard were offloaded from the Sea Express One.
On 14 March 2007, the Sea Express One was put back onto water.
[edit] Reference
Most of the contents of this article have come from the company's own web site.
- 'Working the Sea', BBC North West
