S.S. Manxman

26-08-1964

This is the call from a group of ship enthusiasts, mainly from the UK, but also colleagues and friends around the world to help save the ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY "SS MANXMAN", which is languishing on the River Wear in Sunderland. This vessel’s future is in grave danger. Having given sterling service for over 25 years it is a sad sight to see her so dejected and neglected. Over the years there have been many similar vessels, some smaller, some bigger, and once withdrawn from service normally end up in the Middle East or the breakers yard. Built in 1955 to the highest quality of comfort, style and craftsmanship, this Lady deserves to be restored to her former glory. The Manxman, over the years, must have thrilled, excited and delighted the families who sailed on her to their holiday destinations or just for simple day trips. I can just imagine the children from Liverpool, Douglas and Dublin running up and down the decks, climbing the rails or just sitting transfixed trying to come to grips with the sheer pleasure of the sea journey.

The Manxman and her sisters were responsible for introducing me and my childhood friends to such delights as Spangles, Mars Bars, Milky Way and other exotic flavours of packaged sweets. The I.O.M. has always been a popular holiday venue for the Irish people. The Douglas-Dublin service has been in operation since 1842 with the exceptions of the war years 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. During these years many of the ships were taken over and used as troop ships. If you ramble around the port of Liverpool you will see lots of warehouses, sheds, quayside cranes and buildings associated with the heydays of the port but there is an absence of vessels, big or small, working or preserved, associated with that period. The Manxman when saved and refurbished would be a fine trophy to fill this void.

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At the time of writing the above article, things had been coming together for the Manxman and were looking very promising for her preservation.  The Friends of the Manxman had put together a workable, viable plan which would have made huge steps in securing this preservation.  The Committee have, through fund raising, canvassing and lobbying etc. attempted to raise enough funding to have her returned to the Mersey. One of the main problems has been that she is berthed at the quay of the Pallion Engineering Company Ltd in Sunderland where she has been since 1997 to the present day.  This company have, in the meantime, looked after her as best as they could. 

Sunderland is a long way from Liverpool and the old saying “Out of sight, out of mind” is also another major factor.  Over the past few years she has withstood everything that was thrown at her, fire, vandalism, plunder, neglect and sinking. Her friends have striven to have her returned to the Mersey, nearer home and with her own.  Although the storms clouds of doom appear to be gathering and the Grim Reaper is getting closer by the day, it will take something short of a miracle for her to be plucked from the jaws of the breakers yard and saved from the scrap heap.

Although Liverpool is the city of culture for 2008, there does not seem to be the goodwill to save this gracious old steam vessel.  Thus allowing her to become just another memory of Liverpool’s glorious maritime history.

One in 14 soldiers

plucked from the

beaches of Dunkirk

were rescued by a

Steam Packet ship

Acknowledgements: Chris Brindle, Adrian Sweeney & Manx Independent