researching my fathers time at sea ,AQUITANIA,QUEEN ELIZABETH,AND FINALLY TULIPFIELD on the costal runs around uk ,seeing it alongside the NEVASA ,makes you realise just how small it was . Great photo.

This photo was probably taken in the Spring of 1964. In those days small coasters were still a common sight along the North side of Douglas Inner Harbour. On this occasion there were three of them but unfortunately I cannot identify the furthest one. The one nearest the camera is the Ben Varrey, belonging to the Ramsey S.S. Co. whose ships were frequent visitors to this location, usually to unload coal. She was built new for the company by a dutch shipyard, being completed in March 1963. She measured 451 gross tons. The second ship is the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co.'s cargo steamer Peveril, built in 1929 and measuring 798 grt. She was sold for scrap in 1964, being delivered to breakers at Glasson Dock on 29th May of that year. She did not normally visit the Inner Harbour, her usual berth being the IOMSPC's cargo berth downstream of the swing bridge, (behind the camera). I would guess that at this time she was awaiting delivery to the scrappers, having been replaced by a new vessel of the same name in March 1964.

The Parcastle and her sister barges belonged to the Bridgewater Dept of the Manchester Ship Canal Co., and were mostly employed carrying maize from ships in Salford Docks along the Bridgewater Canal, (via Hulme Lock), to the Kelloggs factory in Trafford Park. Sometimes the maize was loaded from ships at Ellesmere Port. They also carried metal goods to Howley Quay, Warrington, from Ellesmere Port or Manchester. There were other occasional traffics. They did not normally go to Liverpool or Birkenhead but stayed within the Ship Canal, Bridgwater Canal and their connected waterways.
The 'Par...' barges, (6 of them), were built in the early 1950s, as were a series of unpowered (dumb) barges which had names ending in '...mere'. The Parcastle was built in 1952. The 'Par...' barges could each carry up to 80 tons of cargo and they often towed the '...mere' barges, which could carry slightly more. The Kelloggs traffic continued until March 1974, following which the barges were sold off or broken up.
The picture shows the Parcastle and another 'Par...' barge at a location known as No. 5 pier, adjacent to the Docks Railway Swing Bridge. The shed in the background is the relatively modern No 6 Dock transit shed. On the right of the picture we can see the stern of the Ship Canal Company's passenger boat 'Silver Arrow', which used to take parties of sight-seers, school children, etc., round the docks.

@ alan : Thanks.

I thought that you'd got the details wrong for this ship, but it turns out it's because Marine Traffic have a picture of Jacamar II for this ship! Do you know what's the story behind this movement as Shipspotting.com says that it was last seen moving down the canal over ten years ago.

Nice MSC pics. shame the bridge was cut off on this one though! keep up the good work

This looks like a Fairmile B launch built for the Royal Navy mainly in the Dartmouth area.

Nice proportions in the photo but it's a shame it wasn't cleaned up from the original when it was converted to digital.

Aaaah, my eyes! :)

Hi Arthur, I grew up in Runcorn in the 1950s. One of our delights was to run from the playground of the Parish Church School at lunchtime down to the Ship Canal (Ferry Hut) to see a 'Big Fellah' being slowly eased around the sharp bend at the Runcorn Gap. I remember Likes Lines vessels, but none of the other common lines that used the canal - can you help? I'm preparing a photobook of life in Runcorn in the 1940s - 60s (own use only). Cheers Rob

Rob (Edinburgh)

excellent and and an illustration of just what this waterway can still offer !

Photo on its way Helen

Can we use The photo of the swing bridge on our map in Stockton Heath please contact me on for more info Kind Regards Helen Curwen Happy Falcon app S/H

One year on and the work to convert MSC Deborah continues the engine an 8L3B Gardner is now running,gearbox and prop seem to be in good order"time will tell".

I have recently bought M.S.C.DEBORAH to continue the conversion to houseboat

@ alan : Right, but wouldn't they at least have a skeleton crew on board just to keep an eye on the ship?

@ Andy : Andy, I believe the crew went home.

We owned Sarinda for quite a number of years and have the most fantastic memories of her. We spent every summer on her when our girls were young and took her over to Holland in 1991 for a 5 week holiday.

@ Andy : Andy, It was the start of the Mersey Ferries Manchester Ship Canal Cruise's.The workboat Fosser had been dredging at the Quays.

@ Andy : Indeed Andy...

[Janine: Marwit was certainly a smart ship. Gleaming paintwork and brasswork - a credit to your Dad.

The shortsea route was certainly a rough one, so even more impressive to maintain such high standards.

MervR reply=2717]Janine Poppen[/reply]

/don't understand ? is Canute the floating crane cos that is alive and well March 2016, Pounds yard Portsmuth where they seem to be using her rather than scrapping her

Great shot Alan. Got one just the same! Bob

@ Andy : Hi Andy,Only just got it myself as it left one hour later.

Hi,

I'm following up on leads about Basuto which is at our Museum. From your comments, did your Dad work for Coopers at Widnes or was it when she went ot Manchester?
regards
Mike

@ Whistleblast : Many Thanks and for the info.
Alan

@ manxman : After more checking you are right ..the inner vessel is King Orry and the outer Monas Isle ..Thanks for noticing

@ Linda matheson, nee clegg : Excellent thanks for the info

Nice photo lovely ship. We towed her in & out southampton a few times. There was another ship with her doing the school cruises SS UGANDA. She was used as a hospital ship in the Falklands war. Yes working on the tugs was great in those days.

I sailed on the Balmoral a few years ago, Tyne to Farne Islands. Wonderful trip. I managed to get a visit to the dark/ engine room, wonderful experience. Chief was a great guy, but then l had to quickly leave, as the noise, smell and the heat, brought back memories of my dad, who was a Chief Engineer, taking me to his place of work. Was all very emotional.

This dazzle colour scheme is deplorable. Have complained to no avail to the Merseyside Maritime Museum for the same scheme on the Edmund Gardner. Whoever is responsible is an extreme imbecile. It has nothing to do with WW1. My trip to Flanders in September to visit my great uncle and his cousins grave, has much to do with WW1.

@ Ken Urwin : Thanks Ken...No such planned movements listings,but any i hear of in advance i put on my front page "Manchester Arrivals"

views.@ Brian Bowe : Thanks Brian ..there are not many places left now with clear views.

Yeap that was great pic and great run for this lady. I was sailing through out that river for 8 years it's a little sad that peel port didn't extend contract. Ex Clydenes and CSL CLYDE carry out almost 5 million ton of coal for that power station... :)

Please advice max and min draft.

Wellington or Sloyne with tender Paladin

#JAMES IS OFF TO LIVE ON THE THAMES AS A HOUSE?

Reading this as I'm crossing the Solent by ferry. The Canute W's always something I wanted decent pictures of. Really sad to heat it's been cut up although I was wondering why I didn't see it in march when I was last up this way.

So it's definitely been scrapped then?

Hello sir.
Nice photo
Where would be the best place to go and see this! Will be in New Brighton on Sunday and would love to go get a photo

Thanks

@ Janine Poppen :Hi Janine,
Marwit was built 1960 499gt renamed Sapna about 1981 and broken up 1986.

We purchased the tug Kennet from the Thames Concervancy and took it to where we lived In Sunbury on Thames. We rebuilt the Crossley engine but had trouble with the hydraulic gear change which was a bit crude. We sold it to Ray Speechley of Ivor Bucks and he had it on a canal in Ivor.
I live now in Nottingham and would like to see it again.
I would have thought that the Crossley engine would have still been in good order although it is now some 40 years since we rebuilt it.

Best regards. Chris

Is there still a ferry sailing between Yarmouth and Lymington?
I used to go on a Saturday Morning! If not are there any ferries between IOW and Lymington, super town!

@ Arthur McKinnon :Nice to hear from you Arthur

@ Norman Hardaker : Thanks Norman for the info.. i took the photo in 2008... lets hope something can be done
Alan

@ guest : Would you get in touch via the Contact Form
Thank You Alan

I think this is a cracker I, d be made up workin her

Very Useful when selecting which cabin to book

@ Talbot Clark : Thanks Talbot...don't mind at all..

@ Peter Havard : It is indeed Peter, but thank you for the further information.Alan

@ Dave Gallie : Thanks Dave, Lens 70- 300mm, focal length used for photo 185mm . Mid River Mersey so quite close.
Alan

@ Hi : Andy, Photo on its way, Regards Alan

@ yvonne seddon : Yvonne,This site may be of help, www.heritageboatassociation.iecms there is a page regarding Dukers History.
Regards
Alan

she should not have been smashed up just 4 the want of somewhere 2 stand so we could restor her .

I was his son--who are you?

My grandfather was company secretary to Wm Cooper Ltd, and my dad went on the Basuto as a young man in the early thirties. I was raised on bed time stories about how capable she was.

Hi, Just added another photo of her in the Ellesmere/Eastham Album
Always look very smart.
Alan

Went senior Mate from brand new in 1974 .

Hi Arthur thanks nice to hear from you

that dock still there its at the bottom of my street think that was a training ship

Great looking under sail

Nice picture - I have just walked over there and photographed Alana Evita on the same berth. Good to see ships visiting the docks once more. Regards Steve Reynolds

Arklow ships run twice a week, Coastal Deniz approx 3 times a week ,plus the occasional tanker for Cadishead.No timetable, your best bet is to check the ships AIS website

Thanks for that Alan, one would hope that a general cargo berth and heavy load facility would be incorporated in the Port Salford plans as Peel do not want sny shipping above Mode Wheel according to their published plans.

Noticed the other vessel came via Ipswich, anyone any idea what the cargo is? Storage tanks for the brewing industry maybe.

Interesting cargo are they papermaking cylinders?
Where are they being unloaded?

Great picture of our pleasure boat, can I put it on our facebook page please

This vessel is now at Glasson Dock, Lancashire...

Where are you moored, I would like to visit,

built 2002 57gt

Unusual to see a cosco bitumen on the Mersey

Drama on a canal. I wish I knew where the photo was takedn. I' then know more about the picture.

A dramatic picture well worth having it framed to put on a wall. good to see that we are still having lots of trade from southampton. Thank you for showing it.

Amazing photo

Incorrect IMO it Should be 8201545 .

Das waren doch noch Schiffe.
Sehr schöne Aufnahme des alten Stückgut Dampfers > ATREUS < von Steuerbord Seite.In England findet man noch sehr viele Picture von
ALTEN STEAM VESSELS.Mcht weiter so. Gruß Hinni

joined this ship in 67, at oil terminal, bound for continent. nice pic

I'm getting old! I used to catch a lift on this ship when it was new and called "Humber Jubilee". I rode from Woodlesford to Leeds on the Aire & Calder navigation. Glad to see she's still earning her keep.

My namesake! I was named after this tug boat & remember going to see her as a child.

Think this is Caernarfon?

TRULY AMAZING. I WANT TO BOARD THAT SHIP SOMEDAY

amazing!!!!!!!!! what a boat! fab crew

Electa IMO 9416824 29712gt Built 2009
Tankers alongside Fawley [#8951937] 2010-10-22 11:47:24 Left by John (#1261165) Reply

What a wonderful set of photo's :) Well done Alan.

[#8914577] 2010-05-06 14:26:12 Left by Bill (#0) Reply

Hi nice photo of the Arklow. How did you get the info of her leaving? Cheers, Bill.

[#8906961] 2010-04-02 16:40:00 Left by Rob (#0) Reply

Hi. this is a great photo, Great Site I love the variety of ships on the site. Thanks for sharing your brilliant photos with us.

[#8852031] 2009-08-15 10:24:21 Left by (#0) Reply

Hi Alan I just paid my first visit to your superb fotopic site, and your latest update from the river fal brought back some old memories.... As a young (ish) child some 10-15 years ago, I used to go to Cornwall once a year for 2 weeks at a time (staying at Trethem Mill Campsite, which is not far at all from the River Fal on the St Mawes side of the river). I used to always look forward to going on the King Harry ferry as I was always fasinated by the \'monster\' sized ships and tankers etc, that used to be \'resting\' on the Fal. Seeing your quite superb pictures, really did make me reminise for a few mins. It has been a number of years now since I have been down to the Fal, I notice that the ships all are \'stored\' on 1 side of the river only now a days, when I was younger they used to be on both sides. Anyway enough of me rabbiting on. I shall def be visiting your site again in future. Best Regards Ben Daniels

[#8896902] 2010-02-18 19:30:43 Left by amr alaa el din (#0) Reply

norma is the best boat all over the nail

[#8800542] 2009-01-19 16:18:31 Left by dudley (#0) Reply

Hello, \'Ships of the Mersey\' is a very interesting (and refreshing) website - you\'ve some excellent images in there. Well done! What length of lens do you typically tend to use for your ship shots? Best wishes, Dudley

[#8815004] 2009-03-17 17:53:30 Left by Brian Stent (#0) Reply

I worked in the shipyard that built loyal helper, richard dunston of Thorne, i was a marine engineer in the yard instaling the main engine and auxilary units,if you have any more photos i would like to see them.

[#8726163] 2008-03-16 19:01:19 Left by Marcel van Luik (#0) Reply

Beautiful picture of this wonderful dutch built liner.

[#8621832] 2007-03-16 13:14:56 Left by Ronald (#0) Reply

Best Photos ever. Really enjoy looking at them. Ronald' Chicopee,Mass. USA

[#8706380] 2007-12-30 16:47:50 Left by David J (#0) Reply

She could never be described as a pretty ship, but this is a great photo !

[#8784738] 2008-11-11 22:32:46 Left by Jaime Legarra Jr. (#0) Reply

I can remember AYTON CROSS, between May-September 2006 in the refloating operations of the containership CP VALOUR, in Faial island ( Azores-Portugal) and his fantastic crew. Best Regards. Jaime Legarra Jr., former Captain Spanish tugboat REMO ( now RED DOLPHIN) chartered by Svitzer in the CP VALOUR operations. San Sebastian ( Basque country), Spain.

[#8755148] 2008-07-07 19:16:46 Left by Shaun Jones (#1197153) Reply

A very nice set of photos of one of my old ships. Many thanks for posting. Shaun

Hi Alan Your photos of vessels on the MSC are superb. I worked for the Ship Canal Co at the Dock Office Salford from 1968 to 1971. My everlasting minds eye images are of ocean going ships almost reaching into Trafford Road and the RR Sentinel diesel locos going about their duties. I could go on and on but suffice to say it's great to see containers being carried again up to Irlam and what I perceive as a rennaissance of the canal. Incidentally on what could be regarded as a sombre note I have some video footage I filmed of the demolition of the two S and P Gantry Cranes formerly at the Manchester Liners No.9 Dock Container Terminal. Any way please keep up the excellent work in providing these pics of the Mersey and MSC Graham

[#8826754] 2009-05-03 16:08:32 Left by Pete Hopper (#0) Reply

As a child in the last class of Minster Infants School, Beverley, before moving on to Spencer County primary School, I well remember the class being taken by
our teacher, miss drury, to see a ship launched into the river Hull at Cook Welton and Gemmel's yard in Beverley. That ship was the Yorkshire Belle that sails out of Brid. to this day. What a sight as she went into the river broadside as all C. W. & G's ships did due to the limited width of the river.

I was so happy to find a 2006 photo of Independent Action on your site. we sailed as passengers from Philadelphia to Antwerp in 2002 and i have no photographs.now of course it has changed its name and owner many times and we have no idea if it is even still in service.I would love to put this photo on my blog and website as a memory of that trip and other freighter voyages. would you allow this? artwithaneedle.blogspot.com kathleenloomis.com

My late grandfather Bill Haspell captained this ship.I spent many a trip on it as a wide-eyed young lad travelling on the river weaver and ship canal to and from Liverpool.He was a proud gentleman and i know this picture would bring a smile to his face.Thanks for displaying it.

A very interesting photograph capturing the spirit of this type of craft,brings back fond memories of over fifty years ago,a similar vessel owned by the PLA was a small steam grab dgrdger the "Tolverne", she was propeled by a two crank compound steam engine built by Plenty's of Newbury.I could spend a lot of time admiring thia shot and absorbing the wealthy of details it presents.

i have just stumbled across your site today and being an ex merchant seaman,(from the 1960's i might add) the pictures are brilliant

Beautiful photo of the Arklow Rose.Well done

Hi Alan, thats a really excellent site you have put together, I've just spent a couple of hours browsing it Regards Ken

lovely

The new Peel Ports Manchester Ship Canal Container ship taking freight from Liverpool to Irlam and back to Liverpool

nice lines

a traffic jam!

Visited the Albert Dock and this vessel is looking lovely the history of her has gone under the radar

Two of the outstanding crew on Leander G

Just crosed Cape Cod Canal!! 4-24-2012

seen it for years wish could see onbored

This was B-553, Kirklees, Sandown & Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat (now know as Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat - to stop confusion with the RNLI) purchased her in 2000, she is now non active with SSILB and is awaiting to be sold.

nice

This is an excellant photograph, as an apprentice in the London Ship repair yards of Harland & Wolff, I worked on the vessels of the Port of London Authority, on tugs, dredgers, mud hoppers, salvage vessels and floating cranes, I remember the "London Mammoth" and the other floating cranes well, not enough attention is paid to these craft, a trully magnificent photograph. Tom Sheriff