Builders: Vickers Armstrong, Barrow 1937
Propulsion type: Single reduction geared turbines
Owners: Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd
Service dates: 1937 - 1940
Tonnage: Gross 2376
Comments:
This picture was taken by W E Groom and is published for the first time. It has kindly been supplied by his grand daughter, Victoria.
An identical sister to Tynwald (IV), Fenella was launched on 16 December 1936. Boasting a fast 21 knots, she was intended for year round service between Liverpool and Douglas. The ship's accommodation was to a high standard, with a large steel bridge structure which enclosed the passenger lounges. Most of the shade deck was left open, which proved popular with her 1,968 passengers (in good weather, anyway). From a steamer bill in the W E Groom collection, it is likely that this picture was taken in 1939 on one of the "Special Day Excursions" undertaken in her last year of service. These excursions were advertised at "Considerably Reduced Fares" of 10/- (50p today) 1st Class (Saloon) and 7/- (35p) 3rd Class (steerage). The trips sailed from Liverpool, Fleetwood or Heysham, taking around 3 hours. This gave about 4 hours on the Isle of Man. If you would like to see a copy of the steamer bill please e-mail me.
Fenella and Tynwald were requisitioned in 1939 with both being lost in the War. Fenella went to assist in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 and on May 28th she made her first visit to the evacuation area. She started loading troops from the East Pier and she had loaded 650 soldiers when she came under a heavy air attack, being hit three times in quick succession. One bomb went through her promenade deck, the second bomb hit the pier along side blowing lumps of concrete through the ship's side and the third landed between the pier and the ships side wrecking the engine room. She was abandoned and later sank. The 650 troops were picked up by the General Steam's Crested Eagle who was later lost herself in the evacuation. Fenella was removed piecemeal by the Germans and reports that she was later raised and repaired are incorrect.
I am indebted to Keith Sutton who provided additional information regarding Fenella's untimely demise.