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The Ailsa Princess
A new Ailsa Princess outward bound in
Lough Ryan for Larne.
Built in 1971 for the Stranraer to Larne service,
the Ailsa princess was a development of the earlier Antrim Princess. Her
first spell of service away from the route for which she was built came in 1980
when on 31 May she sailed south to Holyhead after engine trouble disabled first
the St Columba and then the Avalon.
The Ailsa Princess outward from Larne.
© Albert Novelli.
Her next period of service at Holyhead came on 21
October 1982, by which time the Ailsa Princess was an English Channel
ship having been moved to the Weymouth - Cherbourg crossing that year.
The Ailsa Princess leaving Weymouth.
Photo: Albert Novelli Collection / © Don Smith
Pictureships
Following the July 1984 sale of Sealink to Sea
Containers the Ailsa Princess was the following year renamed Earl
Harold for her new owners ill-fated 'Sunliner' service from Weymouth to the
Channel Islands. After heavy losses on this service the ship found herself back
on the Irish Sea as a relief vessel. Having covered for the freight ship Stena
Sailer the 'Harold' was then placed on the Dun Laoghaire passenger service
for three days from 11 February 1988 while the St Columba underwent an
engine repair. This complete it was then back to her old stomping ground on the
North Channel.
The ship finished her UK career in 1989 with a
six months charter to B&I Line for service between Rosslare and Pembroke
Dock following the sale of the Connacht. On completion of the charter she
was quickly sold to Agoudimos Lines for service in Greece as the Dimitra.
Sold again in 1994 the ship became the Naias Express and in 1999 a
further change of ownership saw her become Hellas Ferries' Express Adonis
in time for the 2000 season running out of Piraeus.
In December 2005 the ship was again sold, taking
the name New Caribbean Princess under the Panamanian flag in January
2006.
Photos © Justin
Merrigan unless otherwise indicated
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