The Duke of Rothesay - Update 4th Sept 2007

Under the command of Capt Len Evans, the Duke of Rothesay hauls herself off the Mail Pier. Following the publication of my book, Car Ferries of the Irish Sea 1954 - 2004, Capt Evans wrote to me to say he thought I was very generous in my praise of the Heysham trio. They were well built ships, he said, and fast too, but lacked the manoeuverability that all cross channel ships should have. "Their bow rudders were more effective than their main rudder. I wonder whether that was because they backed into Heysham and Belfast. The Duke of Rothesay, which I had for some time, had a turning circle of 51/2 cables, while the St Columba could, if one tried, do it in 3/4 cable," he explained. © Justin Merrigan Collection

The Duke of Argyll

Belfast bound, the Duke of Argyll glides out of Heysham on Saturday 8 September 1973. © Nick Robins

The Duke of Lancaster  ---  The Duke of Llanerch-y-Mor

The Duke of Lancaster during her last season in Sealink service. Capt Evans' views of the 'Dukes' are echoed by Capt John Bakewell. "I was in command of the Duke of Lancaster for only a few weeks when she was loaned to us in Holyhead. Backing out of Holyhead was fine as she steered beautifully with her bow rudder. However when proceeding ahead she was terrible to steer. The rudder didn't look much bigger than a dinner plate!!   Sailing into Holyhead, one had to put the rudder hard over somewhere by the North Stack in order to get her round the breakwater!! Then getting her into the Inner Harbour caused many a grey hair!!"  © Ian Scott-Taylor