Tuxedo Princess

On 20 September 2005, during a quick visit to the UK from Australia, I was permitted to view the former Caledonian Princess 23 years after her departure from the Sealink fleet. It really was hard to belief that she was now in static use for longer than her seagoing career. Below are my photos from that visit.

The Tuxedo Princess at her Gateshead berth

The Tuxedo Princess at her Gateshead berth

Alongside at Gateshead
Alongside at Gateshead		 Focsle view
Focsle view

Looking across the forward end of the Boat Deck.
Looking across the forward end of the Boat Deck.		 Looking aft from the starboard bridge wing.
Looking aft from the starboard bridge wing.		 Starboard bridge wing electric engine telegraph
Starboard bridge wing electric engine telegraph
Vandalised telegraphs on the starboard bridge wing. The outer extremity of the wing has been cut away to facilitate a fire escape to the focsle
Vandalised telegraphs on the starboard bridge wing. Outer extremity of the wing cut away for fire escape to focsle 		 The Chartroom, nothing more than 'storage' space. This was a particularly sad part of my tour.
The Chartroom, nothing more than 'storage' space. This was a particularly sad part of my tour. 		 The Wheelhouse. Likewise the bridge, a dumping ground for rubbish, but otherwise intact.
The Wheelhouse. Likewise the bridge, a dumping ground for rubbish, but otherwise intact.
View forward from the starboard bridge wing
View forward over the focsle from the starboard side bridge wing
 Boat Deck, starboard side looking forward. The ladder leads to the bridge wing.
Boat Deck, starboard side looking forward. The ladder leads to bridge wing.		 Boat deck, starboard side looking forward. Note her teak decks remain intact.
Boat deck, starboard side looking forward. Note her teak decks remain intact.
Looking out over her aft mooring deck.
Looking out over her aft mooring deck.

 Heritage revealed
British Rail heritage revealed, lifeboat nameplate.
 The Monte Carlo bar, located in the passenger extension which was installed on the Boat Deck in 1976
Monte Carlo bar, located in passenger extension installed on the Boat Deck in 1976
The Navigation Marquee, a private-hire conservatory added above the Monte Carlo bar.
The Navigation Marquee, a private-hire conservatory added above the Monte Carlo bar.		 The former second class smoke room, now Angel Street, a 1970's theme bar on the Promenade Deck.
The former second class smoke room, now Angel Street, a 1970's theme bar on the Promenade Deck.		 Looking forward along the port side of the Promenade Deck, in the former second class tea bar.
Looking forward along the port side of the Promenade Deck, in the former second class tea bar.
The garish forward lobby on the Promenade Deck.
The garish forward lobby on the Promenade Deck.		 The former first class smoke room on the Promenade Deck, now Raffles piano bar.
The former first class smoke room on the Promenade Deck, now Raffles piano bar.		 Another view of the piano bar looking toward the port side forward.
Another view of the piano bar looking toward the port side forward.
Night club entry through the vessel's stern door.
Night club entry through the vessel's stern door.

 Looking forward along the port side of the car deck. The turntable is now a revolving dance floor in the Chameleon Club.
Looking forward along the port side of the car deck. The turntable is a revolving dance floor in the Chameleon Club.
Before the nightclub!  The scene looking forward along the vehicle deck when in seagoing service. © Kenny Whyte.
The port side at the forward end of the car deck, centre casing to the right with new storerooms on the left.
The port side at the forward end of car deck, centre casing to the right with storerooms on the left.		 The Tyne Suite on the starboard side of the Upper Deck. This was once the dining saloon. The galley which once served this area is now a storeroom
The Tyne Suite on the starboard side of the Upper Deck. This was once the dining saloon. The galley which once served this area is now a storeroom		  

Close inspection of the funnel reveals the outline of the BR logo.
Inspection of the funnel reveals the outline of the BR logo.		 A sad end to a fine ship.
 A sad end to a very fine ship.