There was a ferry link between Fleetwood and the island, originally dating back to Victorian times, but the sailings were eventually deemed inviable by the Steam Packet and discontinued in the 1990s. A handful of one-off sailings since then sold out rapidly and there has always been hopes of a revival. These pictures look at the Mona’s Queen and Lady of Mann, mainly through the 70s, 80s and 90 and show hundreds of passengers who made the voyages.
In case you missed them: Lost Archives: 19 rare images of Blackpool in the days when Glass Plates Photography captured our town
1. Isle of Man Boat memories
The Lady of Man, passengers on board in 1985 and the sorrowful sight of the Fleetwood terminal sign after the service ceased operation Photo: National World
2. Isle of Man Boat memories
Leaving Fleetwood in 1985 - are you pictured? Photo: National World
3. Isle of Man Boat memories
The Lady of Mann berthed in Fleetwood, 1994 Photo: National World
4. Isle of Man Boat Memories
Sailing in on the morning tide in July 1994 Photo: National World
5. Isle of Man Boat memories
They turned out in force to watch the first sailing of the Funboat in 1986 Photo: National World
