MV May Queen
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: |
|
| Owner: |
|
| Route: |
|
| Builder: | Philip & Son, Dartmouth, Devon |
| Cost: | £5,900 |
| Launched: | 1946 |
| Sponsored by: | Mrs C.C. Elford |
| Status: | Operating on circular cruises from Douglas, Isle of Man |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Single-Screw Motor Vessel |
| Tonnage: | 20 |
| Length: | 65 feet (20 m) LOA |
| Beam: | 15 feet (4.6 m) |
| Draught: | 4 feet (1.2 m) |
| Decks: | 2 |
| Propulsion: | Diesel |
| Capacity: | 100 Passengers.[1][2] |
The MV Karina is a single screw passenger vessel, operating from Douglas, Isle of Man for the Laxey Towing Company. She operates on a selection of cruises along the Manx coast.[3][4] She is registered on the National Register of Historic Vessels, certificate number 1893.[2]
History
It was built in 1946 by Philip and Son of Dartmouth, Devon, UK as the MV May Queen for the Oreston and Turnchapel Steamboat Co (OTSC). She was occasionally used on their ferry route from Plymouth to Oreston via Turnchapel, but mainly on cruises on the River Tamar. In 1957 the OTSC was wound up, and she was sold to the Millbrook Steamboat & Trading Co Ltd for £3,500, was renamed the MV Eastern Belle and was used on similar excursions, as well as a relief boat on the Cremyll Ferry. She remained with the Millbrook Company after it was taken over by Dart Pleasure Craft Ltd, though she was occasionally used on the River Dart services from Dartmouth. In 1985 Dart Pleasure Craft withdrew from the Plymouth area, and MV Eastern Belle was sold to Plymouth Boat Cruises, for whom she operated for the next 3 years.[5].
In 1988 she was sold to G.H. Riddalls and Sons of Dartmouth, renamed MV Totnes Princess and painted in their 'Red Cruisers' colours of red hull and white superstructure. She operated on all of their River Dart services, including the Dartmouth to Totnes route and circular cruises from Dartmouth. in 2000 the Riddalls operation was bought by Dart Pleasure Craft, and MV Totnes Princess was laid up in Old Mill Creek, near Dartmouth. She remained in Red Cruisers colours, and did not operate for Dart Pleasure Craft. In 2001 she was bought by Laxey Towing Company of the Isle of Man, renamed MV Karina and now operates for them out of Douglas.[2][3]
External links
- http://www.iompleasurecruises.com/ Laxey Towing Company timetable and website
References
- ↑ Hammar GP. Trip Out 2005/06, Self-Published, 2005
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 National Register of Historic Vessels. http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/ships_register.php?action=ship&id=1893, Referred 2009
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Boyle, I, http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/Riddells.html, Referred 2009
- ↑ http://www.iompleasurecruises.com, Referred 2009
- ↑ Kittridge, A. Steamers & Ferries of the River Tamar & Three Towns District, Twelveheads Press, 2003
