18 nostalgic memories of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company sailings to Douglas from Fleetwood on board Lady of Mann and Mona's Queen
The Isle of Man ferry boats were once a regular sight in Fleetwood.
By Claire Lark
Published 24th May 2023, 15:48 BST
Updated 24th May 2023, 15:48 BST
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 August 1986, the Mona's Queen was turned in the loveboat when 50 couples took the steam ship to the Isle of Man as guests of Associated British Ports. There were red roses, romantic music and champagne Photo: National World
The beer ran dry on the way back to Fleetwood but there was plenty of refreshment to make the last excursion day quite a party in September 1985 Photo: National World
Captain vernon Kinley in 1986 commanding the Mona's Queen. He had a soft spot for Fleetwood as that was where he started his sailing career as a deckhand on a coaster Photo: National World