User:LightollersShips
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Contents |
[edit] Atlantis
| Atlantis | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Barry Logan |
| Produced by | Ken Murdoch |
| Written by | Barry Logan |
| Starring | James Lightoller John Derbyshire Clémence Moreau Meghan Murdoch |
| Release date(s) | 2009 |
| Running time | 200 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £225,000,000 |
[edit] Plot
The RMS Atlantis is a brand new luxury liner making her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York City. Aboard are people hoping to find a better life in America, or people travelling aboard just for the pleasure of it. The liner departs Liverpool with a full load of passengers, but once she gets out onto the Atlantic, the Atlantis suffers major mechanical failures and drifts into a storm...
[edit] Known Cast and Characters
- James Lightoller as Captain John Scotland: The captain of the Atlantis.
- John Derbyshire as Commander Paul Manning: The first officer of the Atlantis.
- Roy Downing as Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey Spenser: The second officer of the Atlantis.
- Clémence Moreau as Madeleine Guichard: A wealthy actress travelling as a first-class passenger.
- Meghan Murdoch as Lady Adelaide White: The wife of a wealthy businessman who has feelings for Captain Scotland.
[edit] Bridge Lines
Bridge Lines is a bulk and oil carrying service owned by Lightoller Sea Containers, operating all over the world, mostly in Pacific and Atlantic areas.
[edit] Fleet
The company's fleet consists of mostly large supertankers weighing over 190,000 tonnes, and bulk carriers of about 150,000-190,000 tonnes in weight.
The company's Leviathan is the largest supertanker in the world at 369,808 tonnes and also the largest ship in the world, taking four years to build from the keel to the fitting out.
[edit] Tankers
[edit] Leviathan-class
- MV Leviathan (2006)
Leviathan won the title of the largest ship in the world in 2006, stealing the title from Ocean Queen Line's RMS Titanica, and has been unchallenged in her grand weight of 369,808 tonnes (empty) and 404,236 (fully loaded) since then. A sister ship was originally planned, however it would have been deemed too expensive in terms of operation, despite the company being in a strong financial position.
Leviathan was constructed by Oberlander AG of Germany in three stages, keel, hull and superstructure. The ship is made of a mostly steel composition, and reinforced armour surrounding her superstructure and oil tanks to protect the ship in an event of an explosion/fire.
[edit] Moondance-class
- MV Moondance (1999)
- MV Raindance (2001)
- MV Riverdance (1999)
[edit] Nevada-class
*Acquired from puchase of Chevron
- MV Idaho (1994)
- MV Kentucky (1996)
- MV Nevada (1992)
- MV Ohio (1998)
[edit] Storstad-class
*Acquired from purchase of Von Stalhein Tankers
- MV Fredrikstad (2003)
- MV Karlstad (2002)
- MV Storstad (2001)
[edit] Bulk Carriers
[edit] Bridge-class
- MV Danmark Bridge (2005)
- MV England Bridge (2006)
- MV Liverpool Bridge (2004)
- MV Mannin Bridge (2007)
- MV Norway Bridge (2003)
- MV Scotland Bridge (2008)
[edit] RMS Ocean Queen 2
| Career (United Kingdom) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMS Ocean Queen 2 |
| Namesake: | RMS Ocean Queen |
| Owner: | Ocean Queen Line Corporation |
| Operator: | Ocean Queen Line |
| Ordered: | 2008 |
| Builder: | Ruscador,  ? |
| Laid down: | 2008 |
| Launched: | 2009 |
| Maiden voyage: | 2010 |
| Homeport: | Southampton,  United Kingdom |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 241,000 GRT |
| Displacement: | 130,000 |
| Length: | 389.9 m (1,279 ft 2 in) |
| Beam: | 56.8 m (186 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 77 m (252 ft 7 in) |
| Draft: | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Decks: | 18 |
| Installed power: | 6x Aston VT10X Diesel Engines plus 2 TF200 Gas turbines |
| Propulsion: | 4x Rolls Royce azipods |
| Speed: | 31.8 kn (36.6 mph) |
| Range: | 1x round the world |
| Capacity: | 6,800 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,012 |
RMS Ocean Queen 2
[edit] The Future of Ocean Queen line
there have been many great ships in OQL from the Ocean Britannia to the Oylmpica but now the new generation is here as Ocean queen line announce there newest ocean liner the RMS Ocean Queen 2
[edit] The Facts
The Ocean Queen 2 will be the Largest passenger ship ever built 55,500 tons heavier then the RMS Ocean Britannia 2 she will be fitted with the latest in shipping technology and power with a total of 8 engines generating 314,000 horsepower and 234MW of power she could power a city twice the size of Southampton like all ocean liners she will be fitted out for the roughest of seas
[edit] interior
Like all Ocean Queen line vessels the RMS Ocean Queen 2 will be fitted with the finest interior on the seas with larger state rooms and more
[edit] Facilities
There is alot of new items on the Ocean Queen 2 with 9,500 state rooms and the list goes on onboard she will have 16 restaurants each with a different style theses included ocean Queens Three famous restaurants the Britannia Ocean Queen and Heatley Grill
four swimming pools two inside to outside with cover roof
arts Gallery
Spars
Fitness clubs and sports centre
self correcting Pool tables
childrens area
6 pubs in the style from around the world
a massive four tire thretre (Largest one at sea)
a 8 story atrium scaling through the main lobby of the ship
The Shires Shopping District here its got anything and everything for got to check the bank to here need a suit get it here need a hair cut get it her deisgn to look like a really town cntre you would not think your on a cruise ship
Ocean Queen will also come with a ball room complete with crystals shanderlers
a Full size Open and close top club to dance the night away
and more
[edit] RMS City of Liverpool
| Career (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMS City of Liverpool |
| Namesake: | Liverpool |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Lightoller Steam Navigation |
| Port of Registry: | Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| Ordered: | 2007 |
| Builder: | Ruscador, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | €4,500,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 8000 |
| Way number: | 2 |
| Laid down: | January 2, 2007 |
| Launched: | June 2, 2008 |
| Christened: | August 2008 By Meghan Murdoch |
| Completed: | July 2008 |
| Commissioned: | September 2008 |
| Maiden voyage: | December 19, 2008 |
| In service: | September 2008 |
| Homeport: | Southampton, United Kingdom |
| Identification: | Callsign LSNL |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 415,000 GRT |
| Length: | 476 m (1,561 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 87.2 m (286 ft 1 in) |
| Height: | 89 m (292 ft 0 in) |
| Draft: | 21 m (68 ft 11 in) |
| Decks: | 20 |
| Installed power: | 12x MMK diesels 4x gas turbines |
| Propulsion: | 4x Torres propeller shafts 6x Rolls Royce azipods |
| Speed: | 38.5 kn (44.3 mph) |
| Range: | 1½ times around the world |
| Capacity: | 9,500 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,750 |
| Aviation facilities: | 1x Helicopter pad |
The RMS City of Liverpool is a new superliner announced by the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company set to enter service in late 2008. The vessel is under construction at Ruscador Shipyards in southern England and when launched will be the largest ocean liner and the largest commercial passenger vessel ever constructed.
[edit] Conception and Construction
The City of Liverpool was originally designated Ocean Liner 2008 as a 350,000 tonne ocean liner to take the title of the world's largest ever ship, but when then rival company Ocean Queen Line announced a 380,000 tonne ocean liner, the company decided to supercede the 400,000 tonne barrier and construct a 415,000 tonne ocean liner that would be the largest and grandest ocean liner ever to grace the seas. At the time, the company also planned a new 350,000 tonne ocean liner called City of Adelaide, which would be based in Australia. This vessel was based on the same similar design of the Liverpool but was to be slightly faster and fitted with diesel engines only.
The City of Liverpool was also to be the first ocean liner to utilise gas and diesel engines for propulsion, and not use rudders despite the use of four propeller shafts astern.
The new City of Liverpool was laid down in January 2007, at that time officially the original size to surprise Ocean Queen Line when the new ocean liner was completed, however it was quickly found out and the City of Liverpool's skeleton was in place by March 2007, and fully plated by the following May. Her superstructure was based on a modular construction consisting of 30 prefrabricated alumininium sections that would be lowered into position by the 100,000 tonne crane Leviathan which was positioned over the slipway to carry out the job.
All 30 sections were positioned and secured by April 2008, starting from the stern up to the bow. With her engines already installed from her first phase of construction, the City of Liverpool weighed 378,000 tonnes as an empty shell with engines. At this time, fleet commodore Rear Admiral Mark Woodward was appointed master of the City of Liverpool, who at the time said:
| “ | "I feel very honoured to have been appointed command of the new City of Liverpool, as I think she will turn out to be a very fine vessel and will merit the name she carries, and I will do my utmost best in command to prove she does. | ” |
|
— Rear Admiral Mark Woodward
|
By late May 2008, it was apparent the vessel was ready for launch and it is expected for her to be launched on June 2, 2008 by Meghan Murdoch.
[edit] Planned Service
The first two months of the City of Liverpools operation will consist of speed trials on the North and Irish Sea and berthing trials at Liverpool, Southampton, New York City, Miami and Bridgetown, with these expected to take a month to complete.
It is planned to operate the City of Liverpool from Southampton on the company's transatlantic routes to Miami and New York City, and sometimes to the Carribean. Her Maiden Voyage will be the 2008 Christmas Cruise, and will take around two and a half to three weeks to complete. It will be a cruise around the Antarctican continent, and is expected to attract close to her full passenger capacity of 9,500.
[edit] Design
[edit] Exterior
The City of Liverpools external design is "Third Generation" to that of the earlier Snaefell and the still in service Snaefell 2, with an aluminium superstructure consisting of welded prefabricated sections. There will be two "wrap around" promenade decks and "around four to five" open deck areas for passengers to enjoy the sea air.
The hull is designed from various tests and experimental designs from the company's previous superliner designs, but is made from 2½ metre thick steel and will be the first Lightoller ocean liner to have a bulbous bow, with the Snaefell 2 being built to a design which allowed the use of a more conventional bow rudder at the time.
[edit] Interior
The City of Liverpool will consist of a relatively classic internal design with wooden panelling and decor along with wooden staircases. Various paintings and other decorations are planned for the City of Liverpool which are all yet to be announced by the company, as are the facilities aboard the vessel.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Ocean Britannia 2 |
World's largest passenger ship 2008 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
[edit] RMS City of Adelaide
| Career (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMS City of Adelaide |
| Namesake: | Adelaide |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Lightoller Steam Navigation |
| Port of Registry: | Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| Route: | Southampton–Adelaide |
| Ordered: | 2007 |
| Builder: | Ruscador, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | €4,100,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 8001 |
| Way number: | 4 |
| Laid down: | February 15, 2007 |
| Launched: | April 10, 2008 |
| Christened: | May 10, 2008 By Meghan Murdoch |
| Completed: | May 1, 2008 |
| Commissioned: | May 11, 2008 |
| Maiden voyage: | May 26, 2008 |
| In service: | May 26, 2008 |
| Homeport: | Southampton, United Kingdom |
| Identification: | Callsign LSNA |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 350,000 GRT |
| Length: | 434 m (1,423 ft 11 in) |
| Beam: | 82.7 m (271 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 84 m (275 ft 7 in) |
| Draft: | 18.6 m (61 ft 0 in) |
| Decks: | 18 |
| Installed power: | 10x MMK diesels 6x gas turbines |
| Propulsion: | 4x Torres propeller shafts 4x Rolls Royce azipods |
| Speed: | 45 kn (52 mph)+ |
| Range: | Once around the world |
| Capacity: | 8,250 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,600 |
| Aviation facilities: | 1x Helicopter pad |
The RMS City of Adelaide is an ocean liner owned and operated by the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company and to this date is the largest and fastest ocean liner ever built. She is also the holder of the Blue Riband, achieving 51 knots on the Eastbound run on her Maiden Voyage. The City of Adelaide is currently the fleet's flagship, taking over the flagship role from the Snaefell 2, which held the role for 32 years, the longest a Lightoller liner has held the record. She herself will be superceded as flagship by the City of Liverpool at the end of the year.
[edit] Concept and construction
The City of Adelaide was originally supposed to be Lightoller Sea Containers' bid for the largest ship in the world, however they were scuppered by Ocean Queen Line's Ocean Britannia 2. They shelved the "L2007" as she was then known and re-drew designs, creating a larger 415,000 tonne ocean liner that would strip the title from the Ocean Britannia 2 after just under a year.
It looked as if "L2007" was not going to make it off the drawing boards, but instead, Lightoller Sea Containers proposed the construction of a Southampton–Adelaide ocean liner. Adelaide was a port of call for Lightoller liners until 1976 with the introduction of the Snaefell 2, and hence the company decided to restart the route and call the "L2007" the City of Adelaide in the city's honour.
Construction of the City of Adelaide started a month later than the City of Liverpool, and her construction consisted of a plated metal hull and a prefabricated superstructure, the same as the City of Liverpool. It was decided to operate both liners on the Atlantic trade during the summer, and then the City of Adelaide would operate to her namesake city from September to March where she would return to the Atlantic.
Her construction was swift, and she was ready for launch a year and two months later after construction started, and on April 10, 2008, the City of Adelaide slipped into the water for the first time. She was, rather unusually, not fitted out at Ruscador, instead towed to Oberlander AG Werke's Netherlands yard to complete the work. This proved to be a wise decision and the City of Adelaide was officially completed on May 1, 2008, 21 days after her launch. She was delivered to Southampton by Oberlander AG, and on May 10, 2008, actress Meghan Murdoch christened the vessel in the traditional Lightoller method of pulling back a curtain covering the vessel's name. The City of Adelaide was opened for inspection by the public and hosted a commissioning party for specially invited guests of James Lightoller, including Sir Paul Herbert, the vessel's outfitter Hans Oberlander, ship's master Commodore Keith Lightoller (who is his brother) and the vessel's designer Keith Beamish, who also designed the Snaefell 2 when he was 20.
[edit] Service
The City of Adelaides maiden voyage will take place on May 26, which will be a cruise from Liverpool to New York, however prior to this she carried out various trials, including one across the Atlantic where she broke the record for the fastest crossing at 51 knots, turning around just over half way across the Atlantic and returning to England.
[edit] Design
The City of Adelaides design is quite similar to that of her bigger sister, the City of Liverpool, however due to her much smaller size, she has less facilities aboard and more distinctive design differences, including a different bridge design and a different funnel. Also, she has a higher main promenade deck than her sister.
[edit] External
The City of Adelaides external design boasts two large "wrap around" promenade decks with a third "half around" promenade deck at the stern on Deck G. Her funnel is of a more rounded design compared to her sister's, which is more ovular shaped funnel. There are also two outside deck swimming pools and a helicopter pad on the top of the vessel for emergencies.
[edit] Internal
The City of Adelaide has the same basic fittings and decor design as the City of Liverpool, with oak wall panels and mahogany staircases and rails. She has 8 internal lifts (passenger and crew) with four going from the engine deck to the bridge deck, and the other going from the vehicle deck to the lower first class deck.
There is a large shopping mall aboard the vessel, which includes a HMV, Spar, Tesco, KFC, McDonalds and the very first floating travel agency, Lightoller Holidays. There is a large 8-deck atrium spanning from Deck 2 to Deck 10, which houses two of the vehicle deck lifts and escalators. The City of Adelaide also has 14 bars, 8 cafés, a dance club, 6 restaurants and much more. The vessel also boasts the largest Turkish bath afloat.
[edit] Stop Press: "City of Adelaide Design Problems"
The day after the party, it was revealed by the press that the liner had design and construction problems and would not meet her contract speed and would be the first ocean liner to be restricted to wave heights, in turn questioning the skills of Lightoller Sea Containers' vessel designer, Keith Beamish. The press said that the vessel's expansion joints were not large enough to handle anything more than "a force nine gale". This concerned many passengers who cancelled their trip aboard the ocean liner, with Lightoller Steam Navigation losing £7 million in revenue.
[edit] Lightoller Sea Containers versus The Britannia Press
Lightoller Sea Containers presented evidence at the trial that their vessel was safe for anything over a force nine gale, showing a simulation of the vessel in each storm conditions. The vessel did not show any rolling at all until force eleven, however, The Britannia Press claimed these were falsified. They later rejected their comment and pleaded guilty to libel charges against Lightoller Sea Containers. The Britannia Press later publicly apologised for their accusations and paid £5 million in damages to Beamish. Later awarded by the courts was the £7 million of lost revenue to Lightoller Sea Containers.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Atlantica 2 |
Holder of the Blue Riband (Eastbound) 2008 – |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
[edit] RMS Ocean Britannia 2
{{Infobox Ship Image [[]]
| 300px|AlternateTextHere]] | Ship caption=
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| Career (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMS Ocean Britannia 2 |
| Namesake: | RMS Ocean Britannia |
| Owner: | Ocean Queen Line Corporation |
| Operator: | Ocean Queen Line |
| Port of Registry: | Southampton |
| Ordered: | 2005 |
| Builder: | Ruscador, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | €5,000,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 8002 |
| Laid down: | October 1, 2006 |
| Launched: | December 27, 2007 |
| Completed: | January 4, 2008 |
| Commissioned: | January 6, 2008 |
| Maiden voyage: | January 6, 2008 |
| In service: | 2008 |
| Homeport: | Southampton, United Kingdom |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Cruise ship |
| Tonnage: | 224,000 GRT |
| Displacement: | 100,000 |
| Length: | 362 m (1,187 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 51 m (167 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 70.5 m (231 ft 4 in)Keel to Funnel |
| Draft: | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Decks: | 17 |
| Installed power: | 6x Aston EF430 |
| Propulsion: | 2x Rolls Royce Azipods |
| Speed: | 23 kn (26 mph) |
| Range: | 1X around the world |
| Capacity: | 5,700 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,200 |
| Aviation facilities: | helicopter pad located on the top of the ship |
The RMS Ocean Britannia 2 is an Ocean liner Built in 2007 by the ship builders Ruscador Shipbuilding Company she currently stands as the world largest,longest widest and tallest Passenger liner and the Second Largest ship in the World she was Completed in 2008 just in time for her Maiden Voyage round the world
[edit] Conception and Construction
In June 2005 Ocean Queen line laid Down Plans for a New Ocean liner one that would be bigger and more grander the any other they came up with the Ocean Britannia 2, with the Designs be completed in 2006 Work set out building her, her size meant Ruscador had to build a Slipway Large enough to hold her
[edit] Design
[edit] Exterior
Ocean Queen Line Design of the Ship was to give a wow impression to the Passenger with style and grandness the final Design was laid down by Paul Herbert owner of Ocean Queen line
[edit] Interior
on the Inside she was Designed to suit all ages of Passengers from the Moment they step on to moment they Leave on entering the Ship you will be Greeted by the ships Massive 10 story atrium Which shows a History in Pictures of Ocean Queen Line
Ocean Britannia Holds the Largest ball Room then any other ship Passengers Accommodation The Grand Duplexes are the most lavish suites afloat. Downstairs offers an expansive living room, oversized balcony and a marble bathroom with shower. Upstairs, the bedroom includes a separate marble bathroom with whirlpool bath, bidet and seaview window. Approximately 2,249 square feet (including balcony).
the Ship has 5 Main Restaurants and 10 Minor ones Round the Ship each serving some of the Finest Foods from around the World.
[edit] History
[edit] 2008 accident
On May 23, 2008, the Ocean Britannia 2 struck a submerged reef in the Norweigan Sea. The vessel was badly damaged and had taken on water. After sending out a distress call, the supertanker Storstad and shortly after the large OBO carrier Scotland Bridge responded. A SH-3 Sea King helicopter delivered Ruscador engineer James Lightoller to the scene, as well as Paul Herbert. The ocean liner Snaefell 2 arrived shortly afterwards from engine trials on the North Sea having picked up the distress call.
The original plan was to ground the vessel on the reef until another idea could be thought of, but this plan failed when the hull ruptured in two places and more water began to enter the vessel. A full-scale evacuation was 95% complete when the rupture occured, causing panic. However the evacuation was completed and passengers were taken aboard the Snaefell 2. The next idea was to sandwich the vessel between the supertanker and the smaller ocean liner and pull the vessel into a drydock. This operation was exercised and by 1900 the vessel was underway with the Storstad and Snaefell 2 both utilising their high engine power to pull the stricken 380,000 tonne vessel to the safety of a Norweigan dry dock. At 2004 the vessel was reported to be secured in the Ruscador Norway dry dock.
[edit] Facilities
Ocean Britannia 2 Has got on board:
- 12 bars
- 15 restaurants and cafés
- Restaurants Included the Britannia Grill, Ocean Queen Grill,Heatley Grill
- 4 swimming pools
- 8 jacuzzis
- 1 Main thretre (Largest on At Sea)
- 2 Casino's
- 5 cinema screens
- 3 planetariums
- 2 libraries
- 2 Heath and Beauty Spars
- 3 Childrens Play Areas from ages 1-18 theres something for all
- 6,500 State Rooms Based on 2 People Shareing
- Medical Facility's
- 1 Chapel
- 2 Ball Rooms (Grandest on the Seas)
- Britannia Street Shopping this Massive Shoping Complex in the Middle of the Ship has a wide number of Shops and Cafes to suit all Designed on the Old Ocean Britannia Interior.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Titanica |
World's largest passenger ship 2007 – 2008 |
Succeeded by RMS City of Liverpool |
[edit] RMS Snaefell
 |
|
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | RMS Snaefell 2 |
| Namesake: | Snaefell |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Lightoller Steam Navigation Company |
| Port of Registry: |  Liverpool |
| Ordered: | April 10, 1974 |
| Builder: | Cammell Laird |
| Cost: | £50,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 1937 |
| Way number: | 2 |
| Laid down: | May 1, 1974 |
| Launched: | August 6, 1975 |
| Completed: | January 2, 1976 |
| Commissioned: | February 3, 1976 |
| Maiden voyage: | March 3, 1976 |
| Refit: | 1991 and 2008 |
| Homeport: | Liverpool |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 118,000 GRT |
| Length: | 302 m (990 ft 10 in) |
| Beam: | 41.2 m (135 ft 2 in) |
| Height: | 54 m (177 ft 2 in) |
| Decks: | 13 |
| Installed power: | 4x AEG GX75 |
| Propulsion: | 2x quaruple-blade propellers |
| Speed: | 36.5 kn (42.0 mph) |
| Capacity: | 3,000 passengers |
| Crew: | 1,205 |
The RMS Snaefell is a Lightoller Steam Navigation Company Ocean liner named for her predecessor the RMS Snaefell. She is the current fleet flagship, due to be superceded in 2009 by the Britannic. She is considered the finest liner built in the United Kingdom of the 20th century, being the last ocean liner to be built in the United Kingdom until the construction of the RMS Ocean Britannia 2 in 2008. The company have said that the vessel's future is more than secure and the recent refit has ensured that she complies with the latest SOLAS regulations.
[edit] History
By the 1970s, it was clear that the age of sea travel was coming to an end, with the new transatlantic jets offering quicker travel times than the luxury ocean liners. The Lightoller Steam Navigation Company were now looking to replace their oil-fired liners the RMS Snaefell and Manxman. It was decided that two diesel ocean liners would replace them, however, that plan fell through and "Project Superliner" was put into place, and as a result of this, a 113,500 tonne liner was envisioned and this vessel became the RMS Snaefell 2, and would enter service in 1976, becoming the first liner to exceed the 100,000 tonne barrier.
The vessel was constructed at Cammell Laird, creating thousands of new jobs in the area. The Snaefell 2 was planned to have a sister ship, but lacking funds only sped up the retirement of the oil-fired ocean liners and the Snaefell 2 would be the way forward for the company.
[edit] Service history
The Snaefell 2 entered commission in 1976, with a maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York City. At the time of commission, the vessel was the largest in the world. Rival company Ocean Queen Line announced the RMS Olympica, and it was decided the Snaefell 2 would be moved out of Southampton permanently, and the last Lightoller Steam Navigational Company cruise from Southampton was sailed on May 9, 1976.
During her early years, the Snaefell 2 became well-known across the world, being tipped as "The Worlds Favourite Liner". The company announced that, once funds were better, she would get a sister ship. This never came to light.
In 1980, the company launched a more aggressive marketing strategy against Ocean Queen Line, and were largely successful, with a rather large 54% of passengers travelling across the Atlantic were carried by the Snaefell 2, which was now a firm public favourite. The company then announced that she carried more passengers and was faster than her rival. It was never actually proven how fast the Snaefell 2 was until 1991 after her refit.
In 1985, the vessel was subject to a bomb threat, with the bomber demanding a $5,000,000 ransom from the vessel's owners. Fortunately, it was a hoax and the hoaxer was arrested by the FBI and sent to prison. The company than took steps to introduce tighter security around their sole vessel.
Snaefell 2 encountered a "freak wave" on the North Sea whilst cruising to Iceland. The vessel was undamaged and no passengers were injured, however the cruise was cancelled for safety reasons. In 1989, it was announced that Ocean Queen Line were constructing the world's first largest vessel. Hastily, the company gutted and completely rebuilt the Snaefell 2, which gained an extra 1,500 tonnes in weight. This did little to rival her rival, and the Snaefell 2 began to lose revenue. The company announced that unless revenue increased, the company would close.
Fortunately, many people still preferred the 1976 liner and passenger numbers remained stable, despite being out-rivalled 2 to 1 by the Olympica and Titanica. In the late 1990s, her builder Sir Alan Lightoller died and his son took over the company. His aggressive marketing strategy saw passenger numbers rocket again, and he decided to build a new ocean liner to supplement her. This liner would not come to be until the RMS Britannic was announced.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company, Managing Director James Lightoller decided to rename the Snaefell 2 to the Snaefell, saying that she has already proven herself to take up the name. She also recieved a major refit at Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, gaining an extra 3,000 tonnes in weight.
[edit] Design
[edit] Exterior
Snaefell 2 was based on the design of the car ferry MS Lady of Mann and the ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, something which made her the popular liner she is today. Designed by company architect Keith Beamish, the vessel was the first ever ocean liner to be constructed with diesel engines. Like many ocean liners of her day, she had a bulbous bow, but unlike other liners, she had a cruiser stern. Her bridge is probably her most recognisable feature, being covered with large glass windows. Her funnel is of an ovular shape, reducing the drag at high speed.
The vessel's structure is composed mostly of steel, with her bridge, funnel and decking being constructed from aluminium. Her superstructure has been extended twice to increase capacity, and these sections were constructed from steel.
[edit] Interior
Snaefells interior design has changed only twice since her launch in 1976. Originally, she was designed to reflect the modern 1970s Britain, and contain little nostalgic features, however, in 1991, it was decided that she would be gutted and completely rebuilt to post-war design, with wooden panelling and other plush fittings found on liners at that time. When launched, she was designed as a two-class ocean liner that could be converted to a three-class cruise ship on notice. However, this never happened. Instead, she has undergone two major refits and about 20 minor refits during her career.
The vessel's furniture at the time was that from the RMS Snaefell, which had seen various modifications, but now the furniture aboard the ship was especially designed for use on the ship. There are also large scale models of various Lightoller vessels throughout the public areas on the Snaefell.
The only unchanged room since 1976 is the chapel.
[edit] 2008 refit
The Snaefells 2008 refit cost a rumoured £20 million pounds, which gave the liner a completely new internal profile, with the modern wall panellings being replaced with more classic designs copied from the earlier Snaefell. The vessel received a new livery, and her funnel was painted from yellow into the Lightoller colours.
It wasn't on the outside and passenger areas she changed. The Snaefell received a new dynamo which the company say will "increase her speed a bit" to try and win the Blue Riband back again. All in all, the vessel gained 3,000 tonnes in weight and is estimated to be about 1.5 to 2 knots faster.
[edit] Records
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Snaefell |
World's largest passenger ship 1976 – 1991 |
Succeeded by RMS Titanica |
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Atlantica 2 |
Holder of the Blue Riband (Westbound) 2008 – present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by RMS Manxman |
Holder of the Blue Riband (Eastbound) 1976 – |
|
[edit] HMS Snaefell
 HMS Snaefell at her best in 1955 |
|
| Career (Isle of Man) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Snaefell |
| Namesake: | Snaefell |
| Owner: | Lightoller Marine 1936–1975 Unknown 1975–1977 |
| Port of Registry: | Douglas,  Isle of Man |
| Ordered: | December, 1933 |
| Builder: | Ruscador, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | £15,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 3527 |
| Way number: | 1 |
| Laid down: | May 1, 1934 |
| Launched: | April 6, 1935 |
| Completed: | May 12, 1936 |
| Commissioned: | June 1, 1936 |
| Decommissioned: | December 24, 1975 |
| Maiden voyage: | July 26, 1936 |
| Homeport: | Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| Nickname: | Lady Snaefell Old Reliable |
| Fate: | Unknown |
| Status: | Laid up |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Snaefell-class |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 139,500 GRT |
| Length: | 345 m (1,131 ft 11 in) |
| Beam: | 49 m (160 ft 9 in) |
| Height: | 59 m (193 ft 7 in) |
| Decks: | 9 |
| Installed power: | 4x Plessis reciprocating engines 24x Pametrada double-ended 6 furnace boilers |
| Propulsion: | 2x bronze triple blade wing propellers 2x bronze quadruple blade central propellers |
| Speed: | 32.5 knots (37.4 mph) (service) 37.47 kn (43.12 mph) (maximum) |
| Capacity: | 2,700 passengers |
| Crew: | 685 |
The HMS Snaefell is an ocean liner built for Lightoller Marine (now Lightoller Sea Containers) by Cammell Laird in 1935, commissioned in 1936. The vessel is the last steam-powered ocean liner built in England still in existance, and one of two surviving passenger ships constructed by Cammell Laird. She served longer than any Lightoller liner, serving for 39 years.
[edit] History
[edit] Construction
The Snaefell was designed by Charles Lightoller as one of his "megaliners" to dominate the transatlantic trade. The vessel was originally designed at the maximum capabilities of Liverpool's internal dock systems, being 345 metres (1,131 ft 11 in) long. The Snaefell was then slightly modified so she could operate from the gigantic terminal used by the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company on the River Mersey.
Laid down in May 1934, the Snaefell at that time was the largest vessel constructed by Ruscador. A new slipway was created so that the ship could be constructed. Ironically, the Snaefell was laid down 50 years after her predecessor, the paddlesteamer Snaefell [3], which was used by the Lightoller Steam Packet Company on the Irish Sea.
Her construction was quite quick, with her skeleton in place by the end of the summer and by the beginning of 1935, the vessel's hull was completed. April 1935 saw the ship's superstructure completed for an early launch, and in May 1935, the Snaefell slipped into the river for the first time.
Her fitting out was a much slower process, with numerous delays in her furniture and fittings arriving at the shipyard, including her expensive grand piano being delivered 2 months late. Despite these delays, the company still insisted on paying Ruscador a bonus and the delay still allowed the vessel to enter service a month earlier.
[edit] Commission
Arriving at Liverpool for the first time, the Lightoller beacon was transferred from the Manxman to the Snaefell in a traditional ceremony and the company officially commissioned the luxury liner on June 1, 1936. Her Maiden Voyage to New York departed 25 days later on July 26.
[edit] Heyday of Transatlantic travel
The Snaefell was commissioned as a three-class ocean liner carrying up to 2,700 passengers at high speed and comfort. At the time of launch, the vessel was dubbed "the most luxurious liner afloat", with her expensive interior outclassing that of Ocean Queen Line's flagship RMS Ocean Queen.
Snaefell carried many passengers across the Atlantic prior to World War Two, with 70% of passengers travelling across the Atlantic being carried by the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company, and 45% of that was by the RMS Snaefell.
[edit] War service
The Snaefell was commissioned as the HMHS Snaefell and served as a troopship. Charles Lightoller was displeased his grand flagship was at risk of being sunk. To combat this, the Snaefell was heavily armed and painted in a "dazzle" camouflage to confuse enemy submarines to what speed she was travelling at. The vessel, surprisingly, kept her expensive interiors save for her grand piano, which was removed on request of Lightoller.
Snaefell served with distinction, carrying over 150,000 troops during the war, and sinking 5 U-Boats. She was also famous for her part in rescuing survivors from the doomed ex Ocean Queen Line flagship HMHS Atlantica. When Allied victory was in sight, the Snaefell was derequistioned and heavily refitted at the Ruscador Yards, re-entering commercial service in the beginning of 1946. Like her fleetmate Manxman, she was awarded the honourary "HMS" prefix.
[edit] Post-war
The Snaefell was now 10 years old and still a firm favourite on the Atlantic, with Ocean Queen Line's new flagship RMS Boudicca failing to challenge the Lightoller steam liner. Ocean Queen continued trade on the Atlantic, and Lightoller insisted that his liner was still better than both the Ocean Queen and Boudicca. He was right, as Ocean Queen Line began to lose money to Lightoller, and air travel.
Snaefell continued to dominate the Atlantic, being only 0.03 knots (0.035 mph) slower than the RMS Ocean Queen and being far faster than the Boudicca. In 1950, Snaefell was considered for conversion to diesel power, however Charles Lightoller denied the rumours, saying that the liner would never be converted to diesel, quoted "Over my dead body. Snaefell will not be converted to diesel power. It will take away the sense of her being a traditional oil-fired liner."
Lightoller died in 1952 whilst the Snaefell was cruising the Atlantic. On return, the vessel lowered her flags to half-mast and blew her whistle in mourning. On her flags, the captain spelled "Snaefell deeply regrets loss of her owner". Whilst the choice was made of the company's next chairman, Snaefell was reboilered and was repainted. It was rumoured that the vessel would be sold, however when Lightoller's son Alan took charge, he said that the vessel was not for sale and she would continue operating for Lightoller Marine's interests.
Continuing to plod on, she became the fastest liner on the Atlantic after rival company Ocean Queen Line decommissioned the Ocean Queen. With only the Boudicca on show for possible rivalry on the Atlantic, the 16-year-old Snaefell appeared to have won the "Battle for Transatlantic Trade". Despite numbers travelling by sea decreasing, the Snaefell made enough money to keep her owners and herself running.
There were strong rumours in 1962 that she would be replaced by a diesel superliner, however these turned out to be just hearsay and the Snaefell returned to service in January 1962.
On the anniversary of Charles Lightoller's death, the company sailed a memorial cruise across the Atlantic, and flew her flags at half-mast. The cruise was a success, and raised the money for a memorial statue of Lightoller outside the Liverpool terminal, which still remains to this date.
[edit] Slowing Atlantic trade
By 1965, the Transatlantic trade had got to such a low point, there was only enough traffic for one operator, and Lightoller Marine said that the Snaefell was "more than up for the challenge" despite being 29 years old. It was clear the vessel was nearing retirement.
It was made official in 1967 that the Snaefell was now too expensive to maintain and to keep her in service, the company sold the Homeric and Nomadic to raise the necessary money to reboiler her with more efficient boilers. The ship, fortunately, was kept in service and she ran a series of special cruises to celebrate her new lease of life, including a Liverpool–Miami–New York–Liverpool cruise which took just under a month to complete.
[edit] Collision
The ship was badly damaged in 1969 when she made contact with a volcanic reef on a cruise in the Mediterranean. Fortunately, she limped to Italy on two engines and was repaired, and returned to service. It was noted that a hole 0.5 metres (1 ft 8 in) by 6 metres (19 ft 8 in) hole had been torn in her port bow.
[edit] Final years
By 1971, the Snaefell was clearly obsolete, however Lightoller Marine said that the vessel would remain in service until the brand new diesel superliner RMS Snaefell 2 was commissioned in 1976. The company remained true to it's word and the oil-fired ocean liner continued to ply her trade, running her final cruise to Liverpool from New York on December 20, 1975.
The vessel was laid up in Liverpool's large Ruscador dry dock until 1976, when she passed the beacon over to the brand new Snaefell 2 and then the Snaefell proceeded to Oberlander AG in Germany for long-term lay up.
[edit] Demise
Snaefell steamed to Germany under her own power and was placed in the large Oberlander 6 dry dock in Kiel. To fit in the large covered hall, she had to have her masts cut off. Her masts were left on her deck.
She was officially sold by Lightoller Sea Containers in 1976 to unknown owners who moored her in an unsignificant corner of the Oberlander Yard and her funnels were painted completely black and then her owners decided to let her rot away, and in 1977, she was forgotten about, rusting away. She was moved back into the disused Oberlander 6 dry dock and started to rot away. The once proud flagship of the Lightoller fleet was simply rusting away, with her interior falling into disrepair, and her paintwork beginning to fade.
In 1982, Snaefell had taken a 25 degree list to port having being deliberately holed by vandals. The vessel was saved from any serious damage after the water was successfully pumped from her lower two decks, however she would not have sunk further than her third deck due to the depth of the dry dock.
She was repaired and placed back in the drydock. Her lifeboats were taken from their rigs and placed on the deck shortly after, and was then left to rot away again.
In 1990, she again developed a list, this time less severe and she was repaired in the dry dock. It was rumoured that the liner may be scrapped as she was now taking up space and being attacked on a regular basis. Oberlander insisted the vessel would be allowed to remain, should anyone want to purchase and restore her.
Security was tightened around the vessel's dry dock, and she has not been attacked by vandals since 1990.
[edit] Snaefell today
Snaefell is now in severe disrepair and has been poorly maintained since her 1990 repair work. She has sprouted vegetation on her decking and lower hull, and her paintwork is severely faded and rusted. Her interior is in need of major work, and her engine room is in serious disrepair. Her propellers are the only parts of the vessel which is still in pre-retirement condition, having being reconditioned with anti-corrosion and anti-rust conditioners.
[edit] Saving the Snaefell
The Snaefell Steam Navigation Company has been set up with the objective of raising necessary funds to fully restore the liner to become a floating museum in Liverpool.
The organisation has been largely successful, having nearly raised enough money to claim ownership rights to the vessel. Once purchased, the vessel will be voluntary fully restored (free of charge) by former owners Lightoller Sea Containers in their Ruscador Shipyards, before being towed (or travelling under her own power) to Liverpool to her final berth to open as a museum. It is planned that the Snaefell will be closely similar to her pre-retirement designs, with some areas being different for the various roles the vessel will serve, but the full panelling will be restored throughout the vessel and her grand piano will be placed in her atrium. This is planned to be complete by December 2009.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by RMS Ocean Queen |
World's largest passenger ship 1936 – 1976 |
Succeeded by RMS Snaefell 2 |
[edit] HMS Manxman
 RMS Manxman awaiting entry to service in Liverpool, 1935 |
|
| Career (Isle of Man) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Manxman |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Manxman Preservation Society |
| Port of Registry: | Douglas, Isle of Man |
| Route: | Liverpool–New York |
| Ordered: | December, 1933 |
| Builder: | Ruscador, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | £13,455,000 |
| Yard number: | 3528 |
| Way number: | 2 |
| Laid down: | January 2, 1934 |
| Launched: | December 2, 1934 |
| Completed: | March 24, 1935 |
| Maiden voyage: | May 28, 1935 |
| Out of service: | May 28, 1975 |
| Identification: | Callsign LSNM |
| Fate: | Currently a museum in Liverpool |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 115,000 GRT |
| Length: | 320 metres (1,049 ft 10 in) |
| Beam: | 44 metres (144 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 56.5 metres (185 ft 4 in) |
| Installed power: | 30x end-to-end boilers 6x Ruscador supercharged reciprocating engines |
| Propulsion: | 1x quadruple blade propeller 2x triple blade wing propellers |
| Speed: | 35.5 knots (40.9 mph) |
| Capacity: | 2,550 |
The RMS Manxman is a steam ocean liner operated by the Lightoller Steam Navigation Company from 1935–1975, serving in World War II with much distinction. Manxman has the honour of being the first ocean liner to utilise the revolutionary supercharged reciprocating engines.
[edit] Conception
The Lightoller Steam Navigation Company's 1933 end of year meeting concluded that their current liners City of Adelaide, City of Liverpool and Empress of England needed replacement, as the 25-year-old liners were now unable to compete with Ocean Queen Line's Ocean Queen. The result of this meeting was two new superliners, the Manxman and Snaefell. The Manxman was the brainchild of Vice Chairman Sir Mark Woodward, who designed, named, built and launched the Manxman.
Manxman was ordered with Ruscador Shipbuilding, and had a contract speed of 33 knots, and would be the first oil-fired liner ever to be constructed, which would allow the liner to keep sailing if there was a coal strike/shortage. She was laid down in Liverpoool's Ruscador Yard on January 1, 1934 and became an iconic ship in the making. She would be the first four-funnelled Lightoller liner and be the first to use Ruscador's new "invention", the supercharged reciprocating engines.
It was decided to place the smaller Manxman on the Liverpool–New York City voyages, as her high speed would make up for her smaller capacity.
In November 1934, it was announced the vessel's body was completed and would be ready for launch in December of the same year. She was launched by her "father", Sir Mark Woodward on December 2, 1934 and towed into the newly-constructed Herculaneum Graving Dock for fitting out, which would take about three months.
Her fitting out was a spartan affair, with a lack of workers, who were working on the other superliner Snaefell, which was still on the slipway. Her fitting out was still completed on schedule, with Ruscador drafting workers from the refitting of the Ocean Queen, and completing the liner's fitting out ahead of schedule. She went out on trials in April 1935 in the Irish Sea, and achieved 35.5 knots (40.9 mph), passing her contract speed comfortably.
Manxman entered service officially in May 1935, with the Liverpool to New York express service. She proved to be a highly popular vessel, and profits rocketed from a low £1.5 million a year to £6.7 million record, as the Manxman could complete a return journey comfortably inside a week and offered extreme luxury in all classes, making her the firm favourite above her slightly faster rival Ocean Queen. Manxman made even more money at the time of the 1935 coal strike, with the Ocean Queen without fuel, the Manxman sailed over twice as many sailings, and became the first Lightoller vessel to cross the Atlantic in two days in August 1935.
Her tenure as flagship did not last long, when the new Snaefell was commissioned in 1936, she handed over the beacon in a formal ceremony at Liverpool, and from then on, the Lightoller liners slowly began to win the "Atlantic Trade" from Ocean Queen Line, despite the fact Ocean Queen was faster and Ocean Queen Line had the Atlantica under construction at Ruscador. This led to the termination of the Lightoller Marine-Ruscador Agreement, with no further vessels constructed there until 1976.
[edit] HMHS Manxman
When World War II broke out, the Manxman and Snaefell were requisitioned, with the Manxman becoming the HMHS Manxman and sent to France to cater to the BEF's medical needs. When the BEF retreated in 1940, the Manxman was loaded with 7,000 troops and never returned, having been placed alongside her fleetmate to ferry troops from Canada to the United Kingdom. Manxman was attacked by the German raider Thor in 1942 whilst shipping troops from Australia for Operation Torch, which she was planned take part as a troop ship. Thor opened fire on the Manxman, but missed. The ocean liner increased to full speed and sent out a distress call. The cruiser HMS Douglas came to her aid, sinking the Thor and escorting the Manxman home.
Manxman was refitted again in 1942 for Operation Torch, and painted into a dazzle livery to confuse enemy vessels to her speed, despite the fact the Kriegsmarine had nothing capable of catching her. She sailed for Morocco under heavy escort, loaded with troops and munitions. She unloaded her supplies and troops on November 8 and immediately headed for Malta with her supply of aircraft munitions. At Malta, she was unloaded and ordered to remain there until further notice. Manxman remained in Malta until 1943.
Manxman was ordered home and heavily refitted again, this time, in preparation for an invasion of Europe. She would carry 7,500 troops across the Channel and remain as a HQ ship.
Operation Overlord soon arrived, and Manxman was the first vessel to set sail loaded with troops for the operation. She offloaded her troops into smaller vessels 5 miles off Dunkirk and remained offshore until the beachhead was established, where she was docked in the harbour. She remained a HQ ship until 1945 when she was derequisitioned. Both the Manxman and Snaefell were given "HMS" as an honourary prefix.
[edit] Re-entry to service
Both liners were heavily refitted at Cammell Laird and re-entered commercial service in 1946. With Ocean Queen Line having constructed the RMS Boudicca, it was thought the two liners would lose money, however, the Boudicca was slower than planned, and the two liners continued to hold the trade on the Atlantic Ocean.
Manxman was subject to a lot of popularity when she was selected as the double for the doomed RMS Titanic in yet another remake. She was out of service for a year for filming, and came back a film star. It was thought that she would be converted to diesel power in 1951, but Charles Lightoller, her owner, said neither of his two liners would convert to diesel. Lightoller died aboard the Manxman in 1952, and temporarily, whilst a new Chairman was sought for, her "father", Mark Woodward, took charge of the company from 1952–1954 until Alan Lightoller old enough to take charge.
Lightoller did not want to convert the liners to diesel power, instead planning to launch a diesel one in 1960, however, this liner never came to being as the company was unable to find diesel engines powerful enough for a 175,000 tonne liner. In the 1960s, traffic was declining rapidly, and the majority of that traffic took the Manxman from Liverpool, as her fleetmate Snaefell was having voyages cancelled every week due to a shortage of passengers, with 150 passengers being deemed "too little" to expend fuel.
In 1969, the Manxman was on standby for the Apollo 11 mission within the splashdown area, but was not needed and she steamed back to England. In 1970, it was announced the Manxmans age would not allow her to operate for much more than 5 years without the expense of £22.5 million on being re-engined and modernized.
1975 was the Manxmans last year, and it was decided to operate her last voyage from her port of registry to Liverpool, a rather unusual voyage for an ocean liner.
[edit] Decommissioning
Manxman was saved from the scrapyard and laid up in Lightoller Sea Containers' Ruscador Yards, for conversion into a museum. This work took just over a year and in 1977 she was opened to the public, and remains open to this date. She operates a special Channel cruise twice every summer, and occasionally at Christmas. Aboard the Manxman are various models, pictures, tapestries, uniforms and many other items from her illustrious history. She has a special room called the "Mark Woodward Room" which contains various information about her "father".
Her most prized feature is the scale model of her constructed in 1935 for display in her owner's boardroom. The model was last valued at £2.5 million and remains in the same glass case with handwritten speficications on a small plaque.
Entry aboard the Manxman is free and she is open year-round to the public, except Bank Holidays and for designated maintainance times which are shown on her official website.
[edit] TSS Lightoller Viking
| Career (Isle of Man) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | TSS Lightoller Viking [3] |
| Namesake: | TSS Lightoller Viking [2] |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | None |
| Port of Registry: | Douglas |
| Route: | Douglas–Liverpool |
| Ordered: | 1946 |
| Builder: | Cammell Laird, United Kingdom |
| Cost: | £2.67 million |
| Yard number: | 1169 |
| Way number: | 1 |
| Laid down: | February 1, 1947 |
| Launched: | August 27, 1947 |
| Completed: | October 4, 1947 |
| Commissioned: | February 1, 1948 |
| Decommissioned: | August 31, 1987 |
| Maiden voyage: | January 2, 1948 |
| Homeport: | Douglas, Isle of Man |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Passenger ferry |
| Tonnage: | 5,690 GRT |
| Length: | 105.3 m (345 ft 6 in) |
| Beam: | 18.2 m (59 ft 9 in) |
| Height: | 27.23 m (89 ft 4 in) |
| Draft: | 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in) |
| Decks: | 4 |
| Installed power: | 2x Pametrada turbines |
| Propulsion: | Triple screws |
| Speed: | 28.23 kn (32.49 mph) |
| Capacity: | 2620 passengers |
The TSS Lightoller Viking [3] is a fast turbine steamer built by Cammell Laird for the Lightoller Steam Packet company in 1948 as the final in the series of the Snaefell-class fast turbine steamer built after World War Two to replace heavy fleet losses.
[edit] The Four Sisters
- TSS Snaefell [6] :(Commissioned 1945, Decomissioned 1969, In preservation)
- TSS Mona's Queen [4] :(Commissioned 1946, Decomissioned and scrapped in 1965)
- TSS Mannin Viking [3] :(Commissioned 1947, Decomissioned and scrapped in 1975)
- TSS Lightoller Viking [3] :(Commissioned 1948, Decomissioned 1989, Running special summer excursions)
[edit] Conception and construction
The Lightoller Viking is the third vessel and was built as the final vessel in the Snaefell-class quartet. Ordered in 1947, the contract was awarded to Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, and the vessel was tweaked to be slightly bigger and slightly faster to make her unique from her three sisters. These made her 0.95 metres (3.1 ft) longer, 1.01 metres (3.3 ft) wider and 2 knots (2.3 mph) faster.
She was sponsored my Mrs Sarah Lightoller and launched in 1947, ahead of schedule. She was fitted out at high speed and she was ready for service 10 days early, with the company paying a 270,000 bonus.
[edit] Service
The Lightoller Viking entered service in 1948 as the flagship of the Lightoller fleet. She was officially commissioned with the raising of both the Lightoller pennant and the Lightoller Vikings identification flag, and her Maiden Voyage to Liverpool was the 0830 on January 2, 1948, carrying a full load. She made the voyage in about 3 hours, arriving in Liverpool 1126.
The Lightoller Viking was quite a popular ship, being dubbed a "Mini-Cunarder", with her graceful looks, luxury and capacity. She was the mainstay ship on the Liverpool run, and with assistance from the tide, she could make the trip in around 3 hours, sometimes less. It was clear that the Lightoller Viking was a public favourite, and she was kept on the Liverpool route, where the high passenger numbers lay until the 1970s, when arrivals slowly started to drop, with the sunnier climes of Spain and similar places taking somebody elses fancy rather than a steamer to the Isle of Man.
It spelt the end for the Mona's Queen and Snaefell in the 1965 and 1969 respectively, and the Mannin Viking in 1972, leaving the Lightoller Viking as the sole post-WW2 fast turbine steamer, with the excursion steamer Niarbyl remaining in service.
[edit] 1987 - The Final Year
The Lightoller Viking enjoyed a 39-year career with the company, the second longest serving vessel in the company's history. Her final year proved to be 1987, as she was now expensive to run, and the company wanted to modernise and move on, despite the Niarbyl haven been retained until 1985 in her 36th year, and she was sold to a preservationg group. Many were dismayed at the decision, but later relieved that the company had sold the vessel to the same preservation group as the Niarbyl two years previously.
Various special excursions to her past ports-of-call around the Irish Sea were arranged, but all to soon, it came to an end and the retirement ceremony took place on the beautiful evening of August 31, 1987, sailing to Germany under her own power and placed into preservation.
[edit] Preservation and return to special service
The Lightoller Viking has been well-maintained by the preseration group, and she is still able to steam under her own power at her original contract speeds. She has been repainted each year and test-ran every three months to keep her turbines running well.
It was announced in March 2008 that the Lightoller Viking would return to service from April-August 2008 on special excursion cruises, to show what it was like to travel in a byegone age.
[edit] TSS Niarbyl
| Career (Isle of Man) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | TSS Niarbyl [5] |
| Namesake: | TSS Niarbyl [4] |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | None |
| Port of Registry: | Douglas |
| Route: | Douglas–Llandudno Douglas–Whitehaven Douglas–Fleetwood |
| Ordered: | 1946 |
| Builder: | Ailsa,  Scotland |
| Cost: | £2.42 million |
| Yard number: | 468 |
| Way number: | 2 |
| Laid down: | May 16, 1948 |
| Launched: | February 11, 1949 |
| Completed: | May 30, 1949 |
| Commissioned: | February 1, 1948 |
| Decommissioned: | August 31, 1985 |
| Maiden voyage: | July 29, 1949 |
| Homeport: | Douglas, Isle of Man |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Passenger ferry |
| Tonnage: | 3,829 GRT |
| Length: | 98.29 m (322 ft 6 in) |
| Beam: | 16.73 m (54 ft 11 in) |
| Height: | 24.67 m (80 ft 11 in) |
| Draft: | 3.93 m (12 ft 11 in) |
| Decks: | 4 |
| Installed power: | 2x Plessis turbines |
| Propulsion: | Triple screws |
| Speed: | 26.67 kn (30.69 mph) |
| Capacity: | 2242 passengers |
The TSS Niarbyl [5] is a turbine steamer built by Ailsa for the Lightoller Steam Packet Company in 1949 as the company's excursion steamer.
[edit] Conception and construction
In 1946, the Lightoller Steam Packet Company proposed that a purpose-built steamer to primarly run excurions, and be able to serve the main line routes if necessary, was constructed. The vessel was designed and named Niarbyl [5]. She would become a legendary and highly popular vessel. Niarbyl was ordered with Ailsa of Troon and construction started on May 16, 1948.
[edit] Service
[edit] 1985 - The Final Year
[edit] Preservation and return to special service
[edit] MS Snaefell
|
|
| Career (Isle of Man) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MV Snaefell [8] |
| Namesake: | Snaefell |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Lightoller Steam Packet Company |
| Route: | Douglas-Heysham (planned) Douglas-Liverpool (planned) |
| Builder: | Krimpen,  The Netherlands |
| Cost: | €45,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 1000 |
| Laid down: | March 21, 2008 |
| Launched: | November 20, 2008 (predicted) |
| Completed: | November 24, 2008 (predicted) |
| Commissioned: | January 1, 2009 (predicted) |
| Maiden voyage: | January 2, 2009 (predicted) |
| Homeport: | Douglas Isle of Man |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Fast RO-RO ferry |
| Tonnage: | 20,937 GRT |
| Length: | 139.45 m (457 ft 6 in) |
| Beam: | 25.37 m (83 ft 3 in) |
| Draught: | 6 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Decks: | 8 |
| Propulsion: | 4x Kuyt DK180 |
| Speed: | 34.5 kn (39.7 mph) |
| Capacity: | Passenger and crew: 968 Cars: up to 300 |
| Crew: | 50 |
The MS Snaefell [9] is a new high-speed RO-RO ferry announced by the Lightoller Steam Packet Company. The vessel is under construction at the Krimpen yards in the Netherlands and is set to enter service in either late 2008 or early 2009. The Snaefell will be the largest Lightoller vessel ever built when she is completed. It is planned she will operate year-round alongside the Lady of Mann to provide a reliable, high speed service in the winter when the company's fastcraft will be unable to operate.
[edit] Conception
The Snaefell was the result of a new rebuilding program for the Lightoller Steam Packet Company, which envisioned two high-speed conventional vessels which were the Lady of Mann and Snaefell. Snaefell was confirmed on March 20, when the Lightoller Steam Packet Company placed a €45 million order with Krimpen. Her keel was laid down on March 21, 2008 with a completion date being predicted (November 20, (2008), and a launch of four days later (November 24).
[edit] History
The Snaefell was laid down on March 20, a day after being ordered. It was revealed the next day by Krimpen that it had not received payment for the Snaefell or the Lady of Mann, and the Lightoller Steam Packet Company announced it did not have the money for both vessels. On March 24, Ocean Queen Line Corporation donated £100m to the ferry company, and the money for both vessels was paid [1]. The company has now confirmed the Snaefell is well under construction and will be the flagship of the fleet when she is commissioned [2]. The vessel will be the first Lightoller vessel since the Lightoller Viking to have two funnels, as the Snaefell has been designed with two funnels.
[edit] Naming
The company announced that it had various names for the vessel, including Challenger, Lightoller Viking, Mannin Viking and Snaefell. The company had said that it was yet to come up with a name, and when the official announcement of the vessel was written on the company website, the company announced it had chosen the name Snaefell. The vessel will be the ninth vessel to carry the name when she is commissioned in 2009.
[edit] Technological Advantages
The Snaefell will be among one of the fastest conventional vessels in the world, with a top speed of 34.5 kn (39.7 mph), utilising 4 powerful Kuyt DK180 engines. The vessel utilises 4 thrusters (2 bow, 2 stern) to allow quick turn-arounds and departures.
The Snaefell will use two large 65 t (65,000 kg) vehicle lifts to allow the lifting of heavy trucks onto the freight deck. The vessel will also only require refuelling once every 1,000 mi (870 nmi).
[edit] Trivia
- The Snaefell is the ninth vessel to carry the name.
- Upon completion, the vessel will become the largest vessel to serve both the company and the island at over 20,000 tonnes.
- The vessel will be the fastest conventional vessel in the United Kingdom at 34.5 kn (39.7 mph). The current fastest conventional vessel is the Lightoller vessel Manxman at 29 kn (33 mph).
[edit] HSC Viking
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| Career (Isle of Man) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | HSC Viking |
| Namesake: | ??? |
| Owner: | Lightoller Sea Containers |
| Operator: | Lightoller Steam Packet Company |
| Route: | Douglas-Liverpool (planned) |
| Ordered: | April 20, 2008 |
| Awarded: | April 21, 2008 |
| Builder: | Incat,  Australia |
| Cost: | £65,000,000 |
| Yard number: | 069 |
| Laid down: | May 1, 2008 |
| Launched: | August 2009 (predicted) |
| Sponsored by: | Meghan Murdoch |
| Completed: | November 2009 (predicted) |
| Commissioned: | January 1, 2010 (predicted) |
| Maiden voyage: | January 2, 2010 (predicted) |
| Homeport: | Douglas Isle of Man |
| Status: | On order |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | High speed craft |
| Tonnage: | 5,674 GRT |
| Tons burthen: | 5,988 GRT |
| Length: | 130.5 m (428 ft 2 in) |
| Beam: | 28.9 m (94 ft 10 in) |
| Draught: | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) |
| Decks: | 4 |
| Propulsion: | 4x Ruston 30RK270 |
| Speed: | 47 kn (54 mph) |
| Capacity: | Passenger and crew: 1150 Cars: 244 |
| Crew: | 60 |
HSC Viking (Hull 069) is a new wave-piercing high speed craft announced by Lightoller Sea Containers. The Viking, currently known as Hull 069, will be constructed by Australian fastcraft specialists Incat at it's Hobart shipyard, with expected in 2010. Viking is loosely based on previous Incat designs, and will be the largest and fastest fastcraft to sail under the Manx flag and operate for Lightoller Sea Containers.
The name Viking was chosen by a unanimous vote of the Lightoller Sea Containers board.
[edit] Design
As prementioned, Viking is loosely based on previous Incat designs, most visibly the Incat 81 metre and 120 metre (HSC Niarbyl) catamarans, but with a sleeker outline and older wave piercer design.
Viking is designed to withstand (comfortably) wave heights of 5 metres (16 ft), which would effectively make the craft operable year-round.
| “ | Hull 069 has been designed in accordance with Lightoller Steam Packet Company (Lightoller Sea Containers) specifications and standards, for an all weather, high speed and high capacity fastcraft that will offer only the very best in fast ferry technology and comfort for passengers. With the leading edge in engine and ride-control technology, Hull 069 will be the ultimate in fast ferry design boasting cruising speeds of up to 45 knots and a maximum speed of 47 knots.
Carrying over 1000 passengers with 244 cars, Hull 069 will be one of the largest fastcraft ever built, with a gross tonnage of nearly 6,000 tonnes (full load). Designed with the sea conditions that the Irish Sea can produce during winter periods, Hull 069 has been designed with a maximum comfort wave limit of nearly 5 metres, and with a 5.5 metre overall maximum limit. Despite her size, Hull 069 will be the most maneuverable and easiest-to-handle ever built, to ensure her compliance and exceeding the specifications and standards laid down by Lightoller Sea Containers. |
” |
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— Incat
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[edit] Conception
Viking was conceived with the idea of a two-ship fastcraft operation year-round, as the already commissioned Niarbyl would need help running a winter operation, despite the arrival of the new Lady of Mann and Snaefell next year, it was decided to build a bigger and faster fastcraft that would bring the best out of Incat. A £65,000,000 order was made for the Viking in April, 2008, with a delivery date of January 2010.
