MV Princess Victoria
MV Princess Victoria
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MV Princess Victoria |
| Owner: | British Transport Commission |
| Operator: |
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| Port of registry: | Stranraer |
| Route: | Stranraer to Larne |
| Builder: | William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton |
| Yard number: | 1399 |
| Launched: | 27 August 1946 |
| In service: | 1947 |
| Fate: | Sank 31 January 1953 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | roll-on/roll-off ferry |
| Tonnage: | 2,694 GT |
| Length: | 309.75 ft (94 m) |
| Beam: | 48 ft (15 m) |
| Depth: | 16.67 ft (5 m) |
| Installed power: | 2x 2-stroke, single acting Sulzer diesel engines |
| Speed: | 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph) |
| Capacity: | 1,500 passengers, 70 tons cargo, 40 cars |
MV Princess Victoria was one of the earliest roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferries. Built in 1947, she operated from Stranraer to Larne. During a severe European windstorm on 31 January 1953, she sank in the North Channel with the loss of 133 lives. This was then the deadliest maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters since World War II.
Princess Victoria was built in 1947 by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton. She was the first purpose-built ferry of her kind to operate in British coastal waters and the fourth ship to bear the name, her 1939 predecessor having been sunk during World War II in the Humber Estuary by a German mine. Although being innovative in her loading methods, the vessel looked externally similar to her namesake. She could hold 1,500 passengers plus cargo and had sleeping accommodation for 54.
Princess Victoria was initially employed by London, Midland & Scottish Railway and then by its successor British Railways, on the crossing from Stranraer in Scotland to Larne in Northern Ireland.
Captained by the 55-year-old James Ferguson, the vessel left Stranraer's railway loading pier at 07:45 AM with 44 tons of cargo, 128 passengers and 51 crew. Captain Ferguson had served as master on various ferries on the same route for 17 years. A gale warning was in force but he made the decision to put to sea. Loch Ryan is a sheltered inlet and the immediate force of the wind and sea was not apparent, but it was noted that spray was breaking over the stern doors. A "guillotine door" had been fitted, because of a previously identified problem with spray and waves hitting the stern doors, but it was rarely used, because it took too long to raise and lower. This would have provided extra protection for the sliding stern doors. On this occasion it was not lowered.
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Wikipedia