Save the Royal Iris

[Magellan]

A brilliant idea, im game for that but how will we get the grips on gerry marsden or do we let the news groups do that. You are very right with the merseyside museum thing, they should and probably will take that idea you thought of and give it a try as it will bring a tourist attraction straight away to see the old "Mersey Pirate" Royal Iris back on merseyside.... but there is one problem..... there is now a mersey ferry with the name Royal Iris "the old overchurch" but they can actually call it the iris though... i think

I think a newspaper article would be a great start. You can then start approaching people such as Mr Marsden one the facts are made know.

I don't think there would be a major issue with two vessels with similar names (the current name of the Overchurch is 'Royal Iris of the Mersey' I think), but we could always resort to 'piracy' if Merseytravel do not have the good grace to restore the original of the current Royal Iris

[yosser]

I realise of course the importance of these boats names in Liverpool history, but why are the vessels so important to save? (i ask this question purely because I would like to hear the answer).

As these names have been on a number of boats now can we not have a new ferry with this name?????? is it purely nostalgia?

[Magellan]

I realise of course the importance of these boats names in Liverpool history, but why are the vessels so important to save? (i ask this question purely because I would like to hear the answer).

As these names have been on a number of boats now can we not have a new ferry with this name?????? is it purely nostalgia?

It is not the name of the vessel but the vessel itself which is worth saving. The Royal Iris is a unique design for a passenger ferry with it serving the dual purposes of ferry and cruise boat. In addition to the history associated with it's name, it is the last, other than the Leasowe which I think is in use as a club in Devon/Cornwall, of the Wallasey Corporation ferry boats. The three boats remaining on service may soon have to be withdrawn due to age and insufficient footfall to justify their continued service. Any replacements, if there are to be any, are likely to be quite different in their design and probably smaller.

[Red_Devil]

Why would you want to save the 'Royal Iris'. It was an 'Albatros' when it was fully functional. What the **** are we going to do with it? Who is going to pay for it and for whose benefit and for what function? A few 'ferry nerds' who are looking for a hobby. Melt it down!

You obviously know little about the history of this boat, do you?

It joined Wallasey's Ferry fleet in 1951 and was the first diesel ferry. It was specifically designed for cruises. The Beatles performed on board her as did many pop groups from Liddypuddle, most going on the become household names.

FERRIES

Painted in matt yellow and emerald green she could carry 1000 cruise passengers or 2300 ferry passengers. She was as famous to locals as a football is to a scally in Anfailed! She was as much a part of the Swinging Sixties as the Cavern or the Empire!

[Magellan]

There is growing interest in the Royal Iris on other forums as well:

yoliverpool.com:
http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/past-d ... -iris.html

shipsnostalgia.com:
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/showthread.php?t=1578

[Red_Devil]

Many thanks for the links. I am also a member of shipsnostalgia.com an excellent site with a brilliant ships gallery.

[scouserdave]

Here's a shot of the original bogs on the old Royal Iris. The Beatles probably peed in it

I had a mooch around the ship in 2006. I was in Woolwich a few weeks backs back and I'm sad to say it's still in a sorry state

[scouserdave]

Sad to report that the Royal Iris sank last week, according to an email I received:
"Hello,

Re: your photographs of Royal Iris.

Sad to report that this boat sunk within the last week or so.Not too far though as she is resting on the mud at low tide.Last evening ,01/02/2010 ,she was being pumped out and ,what looked like repair work was under way to refloat her.

What fate awaites her now, nobody seems to know,A preservation society,The scrapyard,Rotting away at Woolwich????????????????????????????

Regards,"

Some shots of mine from 2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpoolp ... 310798489/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpoolp ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liverpoolp ... otostream/

[Magellan]

There are videos on YouTube too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eu7eYj9jEQ

[scouserdave]

http://www.royaliris.co.uk
Please sign the petition folks. There'll be an article about it in today's Liverpool Echo and Daily Post. Here's a few recent images I've taken of her since she took on water. The oul girl isn't very well!

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/nost2010b.jpg

http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/nost001.jpg