Duke of Lancaster - The Mostyn Fun Ship Years

Duke of Lancaster - The Fun Ship Years Photographs © Andrew King 1980 and Leaflet supplied by Adrian Sweeney
Following the recently posted photographic feature on the former British Railways passenger ship DUKE OF LANCASTER [CLICK HERE] some additional material concerning the vessel's life as the "Fun Ship" have come to light. Irish Sea Shipping would like to thank Andrew King for the photographs taken in May 1980 and Adrian Sweeney for the copy of the "Fun Ship" leaflet. The leaflet is a high resolution scan which will enable all the text to be read. Irish Sea Shipping is still looking for more material on the DUKE OF LANCASTER as the the "Fun Ship" please email [email protected] if you can supply interior or other external views including the shore side attractions etc as they were in the 1980s.

		Photographs of the DUKE OF LANCASTER taken on May 30, 2024 when she was trading as the "Fun Ship". Some interesting comparisons are possible with the present scene [CLICK HERE]. The ship actually appears to be almost afloat and there is no evidence of the concrete barge holding her stern. This must have been placed in position at a later date. The DUKE also carried her builders plate back in 1980, though care in applying the white paint was obviously lacking! Also of interest is the fact that both the forward anchor chains can be seen. Today the starboard anchor chain remains extended presumably with the anchor buried in the quayside? The port anchor, however , has been wound up. It is also interesting to note that the small dock was also in use by some small craft at the time. The ship displays the white / black funnel as it appears on the Solitaire web site.
Click on the leaflet thumbnails to enlarge.