Sad end for famed Liverpool ferry

The old Royal Iris

One of the Mersey's most treasured ferries is set for an "undignified" end.

The Royal Iris, which has been laid up on the River Thames, near Woolwich, for over eight years, has now been found taking water up to its deck.

Police and RNLI lifeboatmen also found evidence of squatters and drug paraphernalia on board the abandoned vessel.

RNLI man Graham Tassell said: “The vessel was swamped to the level of the deck – it was a pretty odd sight as everything was so calm.

“We conducted a search – thankfully no persons were found to be on board, although no-one could check the lower levels due to water entry.”

Gravesend Coastguard station manager Ian Dunkley said: “People have been living on it, it would appear. We were called because there were concerns people may have been on it.

“It’s a bit of an undignified ending for her.”

Officials are now trying to track down the current owners of the ferry.

THE Royal Iris was built for Wallasey Ferries in 1950, and entered service on May 5, 1951.

She was refurbished by the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive in 1972, and in 1979 was used in the ITV Saturday morning show the Mersey Pirate.

In 1991 she was retired because an overhaul would have cost £4m.

Retired River Mersey Pilot and operations manager of Hoylake RNLI, John Curry, said: "I remember her when I was a child and as a pilot on the river, the masters on the Iris were always very good. Everyone had a soft spot for her, it was a very special boat.

"She came in after the war and was used for parties – it took people’s mind off the austerity and the bombs.

"A lot of people were upset when she went away."

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