rushie
20th June 2006, 15:18
Here's an article that I wrote for the regional newspaper to celebrate the Egremont's 30th anniversary back home -
30th Anniversary for Mersey maritime survivor back home in South Devon
June 16th 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the ex Mersey ferry the Egremont returning to South Devon, where she was built.
Tucked quietly away in the waters between Salcombe and Kingsbridge lies a piece of South Devon maritime history. The ferry vessel the Egremont was built at the once famous shipyard of Phillip and Son at Dartmouth during 1951 and launched in 1952. The cost of building her was £144,500. She and her sister ship Leasowe were built for the extensively used passenger crossings of the River Mersey. Before the Mersey tunnel was built the ferries were the only means for many people to cross the river. Some of these crossings were in atrocious weather conditions and proved how sturdy the vessels had been built. The Mersey ferries had a reputation of carrying on operating whatever the conditions that nature could test them with. It is remarkable to think that ships of their size had passenger licences to carry 1475 people!
Today the Egremont is the headquarters and accommodation vessel of the Island Cruising Club who are a recognised RYA Training Centre, providing a wide range of Sailing courses for both children and adults from beginner level up to Instructor and are an activity provider for The Island Trust, a charity who provide funding for disadvantaged school children from all over the country to go sailing.
The Leasowe led a totally different life on departure from the Mersey. She was bought by an island community to provide ferry services between the Greek island of Simi and the resorts of Rhodes. Her appearance was changed drastically and she was virtually unrecognisable as to how she appeared in her previous role.
The Egremont was bought by the Island Cruising Club as a replacement for their two previous vessels. After withdrawal from service on the Mersey crossings she was stored at Birkenhead awaiting a prospective buyer. Whilst in negotiation of sale to a buyer she suffered flooding which rendered her engines and mechanical equipment useless. This was an advantageous twist of fate for the Island Cruising Club, as they had no need to keep the engines in the vessel, and so the Egremont became their own.
After a period of dry-docking, the engines were removed and the Egremont was made ready for the move to her new home at Salcombe. She left the Mersey for the last time on June 15th 1976 in tow of the tug Sea Bristolian and arrived at Salcombe on June 17th 1976, being the centre of attention to the hordes of people who had come to watch her arrival.
Apart from the removal of the engines, she remained virtually untouched from the day she was withdrawn from service. Considerable work was required in developing the ship into a HQ and to provide a high standard of accommodation for her visitors. The majority of the work was carried out by the club members.
Externally, she now appears different as a new accommodation block was built on her upper deck, but she still maintains most of her recognisable features. Internally the passenger saloons have been adapted to create a classroom, restaurant and storage areas, accommodation cabins have been built, and the engine room has become the Pugwash Bar. Many of her original fixtures and fittings still remain aboard, such as benches, signs and windows, and she still retains her original decking. During the years of her stay major improvements have been made to her facilities and she now has direct water and electricity supplies from the shore.
The Egremont leaves Salcombe every five or six years for dry-docking and refitting. These usually take place in one of the south west shipyards such as Falmouth and Penzance. Her next refit is due to take place in around two years time and on her return this will ensure she will be in excellent condition heading up towards her 40th anniversary of being back home in South Devon.
It is testimony to the fine engineering of the old Dartmouth based shipyard, now sadly closed, who built various other well known and loved vessels that the Egremont still survives. It also highlights the much care, love and attention that the Island Cruising Club has given to their pride and joy over the years that she’s been with them. May she be a part of South Devon for many future years.
Cheers Rushie
30th Anniversary for Mersey maritime survivor back home in South Devon
June 16th 2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the ex Mersey ferry the Egremont returning to South Devon, where she was built.
Tucked quietly away in the waters between Salcombe and Kingsbridge lies a piece of South Devon maritime history. The ferry vessel the Egremont was built at the once famous shipyard of Phillip and Son at Dartmouth during 1951 and launched in 1952. The cost of building her was £144,500. She and her sister ship Leasowe were built for the extensively used passenger crossings of the River Mersey. Before the Mersey tunnel was built the ferries were the only means for many people to cross the river. Some of these crossings were in atrocious weather conditions and proved how sturdy the vessels had been built. The Mersey ferries had a reputation of carrying on operating whatever the conditions that nature could test them with. It is remarkable to think that ships of their size had passenger licences to carry 1475 people!
Today the Egremont is the headquarters and accommodation vessel of the Island Cruising Club who are a recognised RYA Training Centre, providing a wide range of Sailing courses for both children and adults from beginner level up to Instructor and are an activity provider for The Island Trust, a charity who provide funding for disadvantaged school children from all over the country to go sailing.
The Leasowe led a totally different life on departure from the Mersey. She was bought by an island community to provide ferry services between the Greek island of Simi and the resorts of Rhodes. Her appearance was changed drastically and she was virtually unrecognisable as to how she appeared in her previous role.
The Egremont was bought by the Island Cruising Club as a replacement for their two previous vessels. After withdrawal from service on the Mersey crossings she was stored at Birkenhead awaiting a prospective buyer. Whilst in negotiation of sale to a buyer she suffered flooding which rendered her engines and mechanical equipment useless. This was an advantageous twist of fate for the Island Cruising Club, as they had no need to keep the engines in the vessel, and so the Egremont became their own.
After a period of dry-docking, the engines were removed and the Egremont was made ready for the move to her new home at Salcombe. She left the Mersey for the last time on June 15th 1976 in tow of the tug Sea Bristolian and arrived at Salcombe on June 17th 1976, being the centre of attention to the hordes of people who had come to watch her arrival.
Apart from the removal of the engines, she remained virtually untouched from the day she was withdrawn from service. Considerable work was required in developing the ship into a HQ and to provide a high standard of accommodation for her visitors. The majority of the work was carried out by the club members.
Externally, she now appears different as a new accommodation block was built on her upper deck, but she still maintains most of her recognisable features. Internally the passenger saloons have been adapted to create a classroom, restaurant and storage areas, accommodation cabins have been built, and the engine room has become the Pugwash Bar. Many of her original fixtures and fittings still remain aboard, such as benches, signs and windows, and she still retains her original decking. During the years of her stay major improvements have been made to her facilities and she now has direct water and electricity supplies from the shore.
The Egremont leaves Salcombe every five or six years for dry-docking and refitting. These usually take place in one of the south west shipyards such as Falmouth and Penzance. Her next refit is due to take place in around two years time and on her return this will ensure she will be in excellent condition heading up towards her 40th anniversary of being back home in South Devon.
It is testimony to the fine engineering of the old Dartmouth based shipyard, now sadly closed, who built various other well known and loved vessels that the Egremont still survives. It also highlights the much care, love and attention that the Island Cruising Club has given to their pride and joy over the years that she’s been with them. May she be a part of South Devon for many future years.
Cheers Rushie