Tuxedo Royale
The former Earl Siward is seen here back in the UK after a long tow through the Bay of Biscay. © Roy Thornton Collection
In 1993 the former Dover returned to the UK having been purchased for use as a night club on the Tyne at Gateshead by Absolute Leisure, the operators of the Tuxedo Princess, another former British Rail ferry - the Caledonian Princess. As the Tuxedo Royale, she traded there for six years before being replaced by the Tuxedo Princess on her return from a failed venture in Glasgow.
 On the Tyne at Gateshead in 1998, the nightclub Tuxedo Royale. © Justin Merrigan |
 The Tuxedo Royale © Justin Merrigan |
The Tuxedo Royale was then moved south to Middlesbrough for similar operation opposite the ground of Middlesbrough Football Club. But this too, somewhat predictably, was set to end in failure.
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On 20 April 2006 the Tuxedo Royale was moved from its berth in Middlesbrough to make way for the Middlehaven development. The ship was placed into 'temporary storage' in Hartlepool while plans to move it to another site are looked at. Absolute Leisure chairman Michael Quadrini told the BBC: "We have been offered other sites both in the UK and abroad and are currently looking into which will be the best one."
 Leaving Middlesbrough Dock on 20 April 2006. © Michael Green |
 Gently does it, the Tuxedo Royale feels the water move beneath her keel once again. © Michael Green |
 Under tow for Hartlepool's Graythorpe Basin, note the white mark above the bow rudder, for the tug men to monitor her trim. © Michael Green. |
 Locals presumed eventual demolition awaited at Graythorpe. © Michael Green. |
However, her "storage" proved to be a long one, during which time the sale of the Tuxedo Princess to Turkish ship breakers was concluded. It was not until 16th January 2009 that she moved again, from Able Seaton to Able Central Quay at Middlesbrough, just below Transporter Bridge. The move from Seaton Carew was simply to allow the decommissioned US 'ghost ships' to be moved across the basin for the arrival of the French carrier Clemencau.
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The Tuxedo Royale moves again, 16th January 2009. © Michael Green
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