Steam Packet 200

Celebrating 200 years of the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company

Early days

Founded in 1830 to provide a regular link to the mainland, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company began with a new vessel, Mona’s Isle, which sailed from Douglas to Liverpool on its maiden voyage. By the turn of the century the company sailed between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Key milestones during this period include:

1830: Founding of the company and the first crossing from Douglas to Liverpool by “Mona’s Isle”. 

1831: The company secured a mail contract, indicating its importance in connecting the Isle of Man with the mainland. 

1872: Victoria Pier in Douglas, which is still in use today, was formally opened. 

THE FLEET

1830Mona’s Isle (I) – wooden paddle steamer
1832Mona (I) – Wooden paddle steamer
1834Queen of the Isle – Wooden paddle steamer
1842King Orry ​(I) – Wooden paddle steamer
1845Ben-my-Chree ​(I) – Iron paddle steamer
1846Tynwald ​(I) – Iron paddle steamer
1852Mona’ Queen ​(I) – Iron paddle steamer 
1858Douglas ​(I) – Iron paddle steamer
1860Mona’s Isle ​(II) – (ex-Ellan Vannin) – Built as an iron paddle steamer and converted into twin screw steamer
1863Snaefell ​(I) – Iron paddle steamer
1864Douglas ​(II) – Iron paddle steamer
1866Tynwald ​(II) – Iron paddle steamer
1871King Orry ​(II) – Iron paddle steamer
1875Ben-my-Chree ​(II) – Iron paddle steamer
1876Snaefell ​(II) – Iron paddle steamer
1878Mona ​(II) – Iron single screw steamer
1881Fenella ​(I) – Iron twin screw steamer
1882Mona’s Isle ​(III) – Steel paddle steamer
1884Peveril ​(I) – Steel twin screw steamer
1885Mona’s Queen ​(II) – Steel paddle steamer
1887Prince of Wales – Steel paddle steamer
1887Queen Victoria – Steel paddle steamer
1891Tynwald ​(III) – Steel twin screw steamer
1897Empress Queen – Steel paddle steamer
1889Douglas ​(III) – Steel single screw steamer
1889Mona ​(III) – Steel paddle steamer

The twentieth century

During the early years of the twentieth century some of the Steam Packet’s fleet saw service during the first world war. Eleven of the company’s fifteen ships were requisitioned by the Admiralty.

1927 The new Ben-my-Chree (IV) is launched. See the British Pathé newsreel showing this on YouTube. 

THE FLEET (some ships were launched earlier and acquired for service by the Steam Packet Company on the dates listed)

1905Viking – Steel triple screw direct drive turbine steamer 
1908Ben-my-Chree (III) – Steel triple screw direct drive turbine steamer
1910Snaefell ​(III) – Steel twin screw steamer
1892Tyrconnel – Steel single screw steamer
1895The Ramsey – Steel twin screw steamer
1894Peel Castle – Steel twin screw steamer
1913King Orry ​(III) – Steel twin screw steamer
1907Mona (IV) – Steel twin screw steamer
1904Manxman (I) – Steel triple screw steamer
1905Mona’s Isle ​(IV) – Steel triple screw steamer
1906Snaefell ​(IV) – Steel triple screw steamer
1908Cushag – Steel single screw steamer
1910Manx Maid (I) – Steel triple screw steamer
1927 Ben-my-Chree ​(IV) – Steel twin screw steamer
1907Victoria – Steel triple screw steamer
1904Ramsey Town – Steel twin screw steamer 
1898Rushen Castle – Steel twin screw steamer 
1929Peveril (II) – Steel single screw steamer
1930Lady of Mann (I) – Steel twin screw steamer
1921Conister (I) – Steel single screw steamer
1934Mona’s Queen ​(III) – Steel twin screw steamer
1936Fenella (II) – Steel twin screw steamer
1936Tynwald ​(IV) – Steel twin screw steamer
1945King Orry ​(IV) – Steel twin screw steamer
1946Mona’s Queen ​(IV) – Steel twin screw steamer
1947Tynwald ​(V) – Steel twin screw steamer
1948Snaefell ​(V) – Steel twin screw steamer
1950Mona’s Isle ​(V) – Steel twin screw steamer
1951Fenella ​(III) – Steel single screw diesel motorship
1955Manxman (II) – Steel twin screw steamer
1962Manx Maid (II) – Steel twin screw steamer
1963Peveril ​(III) – Steel single screw diesel motorship
1964Ramsey – Steel single screw diesel motorship
1965Ben-my-Chree ​(V) – Steel twin screw steamer
1972Mona’s Queen ​(V) – Steel twin screw 10 cylinder Pielstick diesel motorship
1973Conister (II) – Steel single screw Sulzer motorship
1975Lady of Mann (II) – Steel twin screw 12 cylinder Pielstick diesel motorship
1993Peveril ​(IV) – Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship
1984Mona’s Isle ​(VI) – Steel twin screw M.A.N diesel motorship
1978Manx Viking – Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship
1967Tynwald ​(VI) – Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship 
1990King Orry ​(V) – Steel twin screw Pielstick diesel motorship

Recent history

FLEET LIST

2002Belard – Steel single screw MaK diesel motorship. Chartered to IOMSPC.
1994SeaCat Isle of Man (later renamed Snaefell) – Aluminium hulled fast craft catamaran. Chartered to IOMSPC from 1994.
1998SuperSeaCat Two (later renamed Viking) – Monohull fast craft catamaran. Chartered to IOMSPC from 1998 and later purchased.
1998Ben-my-Chree (VI) / Roll on/roll off passenger ferry – Launched in 1998 and still in service today.
2008Manannan – Fast craft catamaran. Acquired by IOMSPC in 2008 and still in service today.
2023Manxman – a new purpose-built vessel.