'Royal Iris'
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Issue: 2 Dated: 9th January 2021
During an outside broadcast from the Thames Clippers an interesting abandoned vessel was noticed below the Thame Barrier at Woolwich
Deciding to investigate the history the old vessel reveals her to be the former Mersey Ferry 'Royal Iris' on the first visit a squatter was living aboard he had later moved on, a follow up broadcast was made alongside the hulk
The 'Royal Iris' overview from the river (25th September 2015)
The 'Royal Iris' from the river (25th September 2015)
The 'Royal Iris' from the river (25th September 2015)
The 'Royal Iris' from the river (25th September 2015)
The 'Royal Iris' Starboard Side from the river (25th September 2015)
The 'Royal Iris' Mid ships* from the river (25th September 2015)
* Note holed hull above keel rail
The 'Royal Iris' Aft from the river (25th September 2015)
N.B Photographs below taken from a fast moving Thames Clipper
'Royal Iris' in service at Pier Head, Liverpool with the 'Liver Building' (Undated)
Built by William Deny and Brothers Yard in Dumbarton, Scotland at a cost of £256.00 (£8.7 Million 2019) in 1950
Launched in December she started service on the Mersey on 5th May 1951, the 1,234 Gross Tonnage vessel is 159’ x 48’ with a draught of 9’. Fitted with Ruston & Hornsby Engines powering four generators to drive two electric motors could economically reach a top speed of 12 knots
Audio |
1950's
Mersey Tug Sequence Edit |
The Wallasey Ferries Steamer 'Royal Iris' underway (Undated Postcard)
Originally finished in distinctive Green and Cream ship was licensed for 2,296 passengers
Laden with passengers 'Royal Iris' (1958)
Associated with the ‘Merseybeat’ scene of the 1960’s the Beatles and Gerry & the Pacemakers played onboard
'The Beatles' and interior shots 'Royal Iris'
Nostalgia Wallasey Ferries 'Royal Iris' Liverpool Echo (February 2016)
Shocking Images Reveal Decline - Liverpool Echo (February 2016)
'Royal Iris' stern perspectives (25th September 2015)
Even though debts had accrued against the ship she underwent a refit in 1969
'Royal Iris' Stern perspectives (25th September 2015)
Freshly painted in Blue and White with a new Steak Restaurant replacing the old Fish & Chip Saloon. Side slung Lifeboats were disposed of one being retained on a stern davit
'Royal Iris' Portside perspectives (25th September 2015)
HM Queen Elizabeth II sailed on her in 1977 during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations
'Royal Iris' licensed to sell... (25th September 2015)
A publicity drive for Merseyside saw ‘Royal Iris’ embark on a 1,500 mile round trip cruise to London
10/08/20 - 'Royal Iris' was used in a Granada Television programme called the 'Mersey Pirate' in 1979 Technical Support Engineer was Leslie Collison who worked at Granada from 1956-1983, his son Brian joined in the same capacity in 1983-2000
'Royal Iris' Stern Lifeboat Davit (25th September 2015)
By 1990 she was considered too expensive to keep in service, awaiting her fate she was granted permission for a commemorative sailing marking the 1918 Zeebrugge raids
Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery with 'Royal Iris' (25th September 2015)
With a price tag of £100,000 she was bought for conversion into a Nightclub, Restaurant, and Conference Centre in 1991
Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery with 'Royal Iris' (25th September 2015)
Sold again to a leisure group, she left the Mersey in 1993 bound for Cardiff, but in 1994 the local authorities refused permission for the ships leisure use conversion
'Royal Iris' Bow perspective (25th September 2015)
It was hoped in 1996 she’d return to the Mersey for preservation, this failed
'Royal Iris' Bow detail (25th September 2015)
In 2002 ‘Royal Iris’ was towed to what was to be her final berth below the Thames Barrier at Woolwich in readiness for refitting as a nightclub
'Royal Iris' Starboard Side Bow (25th September 2015)
However, in February 2010 the ship had taken water over the stern up to passenger deck level, over time settling into the mud a hole developed on the lower starboard side
Re floating her is now uneconomical and her owners have abandoned her to continued dereliction
The 'Thames Barrier' from 'Royal Iris' Bow (25th September 2015)
The 'Thames Barrier' from 'Royal Iris' Bow (25th September 2015)
The 'Thames Barrier' from 'Royal Iris' Bow (25th September 2015)
Historic Thames Side Docklands (Undated)
The 'Royal Iris' Stern view (12th June 2019)
The 'Royal Iris' Bow view (12th June 2019)
The 'Royal Iris' from April 1951
A postcard of the Wallasey Ferries Steamer 'Royal Iris' underway (Undated)
BBC Radio Merseyside aboard 'Royal Iris'
Terry Lennaine, Billy Butler, Brian Cullen and Brian Smart
5/11/20 The Royal Iris was a great vessel and well loved by all on Merseyside, the publicity photograph was taken for the Radio Times Don Allen was aboard but not pictured as he was pert of the local BBC team presenting his country show - Brian Cullen
A fine model of 'Royal Iris' (Undated)
Drone Footage of 'Royal Iris' (September 2018)
Woolwich Ferry (1930)
Downstream the above photograph shows one of the 1922 Vintage Ferries either 'Squires' or 'Gordon' passing the North Woolwich Pier
Time line Notes 'Royal Iris'
The History of Wallasey 'Royal Iris':Woolwich Ferries