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Isle of Man Shipping - The Twilight Years
ISBN: 0 7524 2131 X
pp 128
Author: Ian Collard
Published by:
Tempus Publishing Ltd, The Mill, Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL3 2QG www.tempus-publishing.com
Tempus Publishing Ltd, 2 Cumberland Street, Charleston, SC 29401 USA.
- Price £10.99 in UK $19.99 in USA
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| Norwest Hovercraft Company handbill for the Fleetwood - Douglas service operated by the Stella Marina. |
Ian Collard has released yet another of his superb collections of photographs under the Tempus Publishing imprint. "Isle of Man Shipping the Twilight Years" follows the formula of Ian's previous works. Comprising not only photographs but also reproductions of brochures, posters, letters, tickets, press cuttings etc. It is the inclusion of these extras which add considerably to the nostalgia value of these books for older readers and a reminder of what has been lost for the younger generations.
The subject of this book obviously suggests that there will be a heavy bias towards the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and of course there is. However, Manx Line, Norwest Hovercraft Company, Laxey Towing Company, Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company, Ramsey Steamship Co and even the Isles of Scilly Steam Ship Company manage to qualify for inclusion. The latter by the charter of the QUEEN OF THE ISLES to P&A Campbell which had acquired the L&NWSSCo. [She also operated briefly for Norwest Hovercraft too between Douglas and Fleetwood.] However I couldn't see a Mezeron Line vessel amongst those depicted!
"Isle of Man Shipping the Twilight Years" is the same shelveable size as previous books in the series and is divided into the following chapters:
- Douglas
- Ramsey, Ardrossan, Belfast, Dublin and Heysham
- Llandudno
- Mersey Docks
- Cargo Vessels
- Fast Cats
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| Promotional Material for a full day Pop Festival on board LADY OF MANN [I] in 1968. |
Photographs cover the period between the 1960s and the present day though. Though there are a number photographs of recent and current vessels such as PICASSO, SUPERSEACAT THREE and BEN-MY-CHREE the main emphasis is on the classic ships which once served the island.
Today one is familiar with various large pop festivals which are promoted. However, back in August 1968 the LADY OF MANN {I] was chartered for a 10 hour cruise and marketed as the "Mersey Beat Boat" - perhaps a more inspired choice of venue than would be considered today!
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| Four turbines await their passengers at Douglas in the 1960s. |
The wide variety of viewpoints serve to make this collection of photographs even more interesting. Many views do not comprise the traditional front three quarters illustration of a vessel underway.
The variety of viewpoints allow much port infrastructure to be included - it is quite amazing how many familiar locations have changed in the past 40 years or so. Wouldn't it be nice if the roof top promenade at the Douglas Sea Terminal could be reinstated?
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| Ramsey Steamship Company's BEN VOOAR in Douglas Inner Habour |
Present day Steam Packet enthusiasts would probably love to be able to buy a twelve month contract ticket for all services and excursions for the princely sum of just £42.00 which was charged in 1969. One wonders what that would be in today's value. Of course the if £42.00 was a bit too pricey there was a range of cheaper route specific season tickets and excursion vouchers.
In the day and age of airline style reservations this is a travel facility which has long been lost and the company was obviously aware that many passengers just wanted to go along for the sail.
All in all a very good book which offers a lot of material for small cost. The book is is a "must have" for anyone with an interest in Isle of Man shipping!
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