The Caledonian Princess

Additional Page: End for the 'Caley P.' New Page - 28th July, 2008.

The Caledonian Princess at St Peter Port towards the end of her Channel career. © Albert Novelli.

The Caledonian Princess is accredited with being the ship that saved the Stranraer - Larne crossing from closure in the aftermath of the loss of the Princess Victoria in a storm on 31^st January 1953. She entered service in December 1961 under the flag of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company (Irish Services) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the BTC.

The new ship was an instant success and by 1964 supplemental tonnage was required to assist with the large volume of traffic on offer. With the route in safe waters, ownership of the Caledonian Princess was officially transferred to the British Railways Board on 1st January 1967. By this time the Caledonian Red Lion Rampant on the black-topped buff funnel had given way to the red and black of BR, complete with the white double arrow logo already familiar on other Railway ships. As built she was a two-class vessel with accommodation for 400 1^st class passengers and 1,000 in 2^nd class. On her vehicle deck was space for 103 cars.

The Caledonian Princess in Douglas, 1968. Photo: © Ian Collard

On 26 June 1968 the Caledonian Princess became the first stern loading car ferry to sail into Douglas, Isle of Man when she visited with a special day charter from Stranraer. The following month saw the her introduction on the Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire seasonal car ferry service operating alongside the Holyhead Ferry 1 until 5 September. Between 1969 and 1975, having had side loading doors cut into her vehicle deck, the ship was mainly associated with the Fishguard - Rosslare service but by and large, since leaving Stranraer she led something of a nomadic career often acting as support or substitute for other members of the fleet. 

(Photos  © Roy Thornton Collection)

After a transfer to the English Channel the ship received extensive alterations to her accommodation before returning to Holyhead in 1976. Operating to Dun Laoghaire in company with the Duke of Lancaster the ship remained on the link until the last day of February when she returned to the Channel. This was to be her final spell of Irish Sea service. 

By 1981 the ship held the honour of being Dover's final steam turbine ferry and after her last crossing from Boulogne on 26th September she was laid up at Newhaven. 

A good view of the Caledonian Princess showing the modifications to her aft end, fitted for Channel Islands service.  © Roy Thornton Collection

Two months after her final commercial sailing, the Caledonian Princess laid up at Newhaven with the Maid of Kent astern © Mike Taplin

Sold! Unlike the Maid of Kent, which was scrapped, the ship would see further service, albeit as a nightclub. © Les Harris, courtesy of Andrew Gilbert.

Looking like a iced tea cake, the former Caledonian Princess ready for a very different career. © Les Harris, courtesy of Andrew Gilbert.

A year later she was sold for static use as a nightclub berthed on the River Tyne at Gateshead as the 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	Alongside at Gateshead	Focsle view
Looking across the forward end of the Boat Deck.	Looking aft from the starboard bridge wing.	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	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.
View forward from the starboard bridge wing	Boat Deck, starboard side looking forward. The ladder leads to the bridge wing.	Boat deck, starboard side looking forward. Note her teak decks remain intact.
Looking out over her aft mooring deck.	Heritage revealed	The Monte Carlo bar, located in the passenger extension which was installed on the Boat Deck in 1976
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.	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 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.
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.	The port side at the forward end of the car deck, centre casing to the right with new 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.	Close inspection of the funnel reveals the outline of the BR logo	A sad end to a fine ship perhaps, but at least she is still afloat and functioning.

Photos © Justin Merrigan unless otherwise indicated

Additional Page: End for the 'Caley P.' New Page - 28th July, 2008.