Ferry across the Mersey...july '17

[prettyvacant71]

Ahoy, me Hearties...


Shiver me timbers, AARRR, some factual stuff... (sorry I can’t actually help myself)


The TSMV (Twin Screw Motor Vessel) Royal Daffodil was a passenger ferry on the River Mersey. She was built by the British ship building company Cammell Laird. Laid down (formal commencement of construction) in April 1962, launched and christened in November 1961 with her maiden voyage in April 1962.

The ship was in service from April 1962 through to December 2012 and finally laid up in January 2013. From 1962-1999 she was known as the MV Overchurch before becoming the MV Royal Daffodil in 1999.

Owned by Mersey Ferries she can travel at speeds of 12-15 knots powered by two Cummins-Wartsila 170 diesel engines. Consisting of a 4-bridge deck, promenade deck and main and lower decks her crew were the captain, mate, engineer, 2 sea persons and a catering assistant.

Dimensions; Length: 44m. Beam (width): 12m. Draught: (vertical distance from the bottom of the keel to the waterline) 3.5m.

Due to cost cutting measures she is currently being moth balled at her Duke Street home in Birkenhead, with her engines being turned over weekly. Sadly there are no future plans for her use.

Only managed some external pics on the visit, but an unusual trip for me. Explored with two louts from Chester...I know you both wanted to push me in, no I do really



Wotever floats your boat...


ferry 479 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 333 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 323 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 010 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 014 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 037 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 061 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 067 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 088 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 098 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 102 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 117 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 181 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 184 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 190 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 197 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 214 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 235 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 238 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 241 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 247 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 286 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 305 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 356 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 415 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 429 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 440 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 448 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 343 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr



ferry 495 by Pretty Vacant, on Flickr


Hope you enjoyed this nose around this little booty.

Thanks for lookin landlubbers!

Be lucky scallywags

 

[krela]

What the hell kind of name is "Royal Daffodil"? No wonder it went bust.

 

[smiler]

Interesting post PV, nicely done, Thanks

 

[weeksac]

Fantastic. A great take on the old girl.

 

[Sam Haltin]

Nice photos PV. Its a nice change to see a complete vessel and one is not listing or becoming a wreck. All she needs is a good paint job on her.

 

[Rubex]

Love this! Great pics prettyvacant

 

[Mikeymutt]

Ha ha another great write up.i do enjoy your write ups.always amusing..great pics PVand an interesting subject.always wanted to do a boat

 

[RedX_unleashed]

Great stuff PV. Nice to see there is no limit to your epic puns, you should work for a tabloid I'm not familiar with this ship but it does remind me of one that carried passengers across the river Humber where I grew up, between Grimsby and Hull - it was called Lincoln Castle and I believe it was of around the same era. It even had a song too, though not quite as famous as the one you mentioned heheh. Thanks for sharing

 

[prettyvacant71]

Love this! Great pics prettyvacant

Splice the main brace Rubex...rise and shine

 

[Dirus_Strictus]

I'm not familiar with this ship but it does remind me of one that carried passengers across the river Humber where I grew up, between Grimsby and Hull - it was called Lincoln Castle

It was interesting to see how the owners of these river ferries managed to retain the earning potential of the vessels as the UK road network gradually expanded and speeded up after WW2. From spending a few high days and holidays operating as pleasure craft out of the main East Coast harbours, they became permanent summer features on the Coast. For the summer seasons they all operated pleasure cruises from the harbours of Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington etc - even working off suitably flat beaches when the tidal conditions were right. My favourite vessel was the Humber Steam Tug 'Yorkshireman' that operated from the North Pier at Bridlington Harbour - eventually got many free sailings on the vessel over a number of summers. Mum and Dad operated a Milk Bar/Cafe situated across the road from the Spa boating pool prior to WW2 and thus knew some of the local deck crew members then on 'Yorkshireman'.

 

[Rubex]

Splice the main brace Rubex...rise and shine

Haha ok ok! Next time the alarm will be set for 0300 hours lol!

 

[prettyvacant71]

Great stuff PV. Nice to see there is no limit to your epic puns, you should work for a tabloid I'm not familiar with this ship but it does remind me of one that carried passengers across the river Humber where I grew up, between Grimsby and Hull - it was called Lincoln Castle and I believe it was of around the same era. It even had a song too, though not quite as famous as the one you mentioned heheh. Thanks for sharing

Hahaha thanks RedX, I had to Google "pirate phrases" to come up with that lingo as things can get lost in translation

 

[prettyvacant71]

It was interesting to see how the owners of these river ferries managed to retain the earning potential of the vessels as the UK road network gradually expanded and speeded up after WW2. From spending a few high days and holidays operating as pleasure craft out of the main East Coast harbours, they became permanent summer features on the Coast. For the summer seasons they all operated pleasure cruises from the harbours of Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington etc - even working off suitably flat beaches when the tidal conditions were right. My favourite vessel was the Humber Steam Tug 'Yorkshireman' that operated from the North Pier at Bridlington Harbour - eventually got many free sailings on the vessel over a number of summers. Mum and Dad operated a Milk Bar/Cafe situated across the road from the Spa boating pool prior to WW2 and thus knew some of the local deck crew members then on 'Yorkshireman'.

You have led an extremely varied life DS...always something of interest to add

 

[prettyvacant71]

Splice the main brace Rubex...rise and shine

Ok I'm putting on a bet wiv JSP

 

[jsp77]

You have captured this well, nice detailed photos as always. Shame you .couldn't get inside