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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ex 'Ferry across Mersey' sinking | Ex 'Ferry across Mersey' sinking |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Royal Iris, which was used to cross the River Mersey for 42 years, is disappearing under water. | The Royal Iris, which was used to cross the River Mersey for 42 years, is disappearing under water. |
| The ship, one of Liverpool's most cherished vessels, is rapidly sinking in the River Thames. | The ship, one of Liverpool's most cherished vessels, is rapidly sinking in the River Thames. |
| Lifeguard crews were called from Gravesend RNLI station in Woolwich after reports there were people on board the decaying boat. | Lifeguard crews were called from Gravesend RNLI station in Woolwich after reports there were people on board the decaying boat. |
| No-one was there, but the Royal Iris was swamped in mud and water to deck level. | No-one was there, but the Royal Iris was swamped in mud and water to deck level. |
| Floating nightclub | Floating nightclub |
| RNLI Helm Graham Tassell said: "We arrived to find an eerie scene - it was a pretty odd sight as everything was so calm and silent. | RNLI Helm Graham Tassell said: "We arrived to find an eerie scene - it was a pretty odd sight as everything was so calm and silent. |
| "We conducted a search alongside officers. Thankfully no persons were found to be on board, although no one could check the lower levels due to water entry." | "We conducted a search alongside officers. Thankfully no persons were found to be on board, although no one could check the lower levels due to water entry." |
| The Royal Iris was taken out of service and left the banks of the Mersey in 1991 and was towed down to Cardiff. | The Royal Iris was taken out of service and left the banks of the Mersey in 1991 and was towed down to Cardiff. |
| Gerry Marsden has many fond memories of the boat | |
| She was going to be revamped into a floating nightclub but when permission was refused she ended her days floating on the River Thames. | She was going to be revamped into a floating nightclub but when permission was refused she ended her days floating on the River Thames. |
| Gerry Marsden, leader of Gerry & the Pacemakers, sailed on the ferry thousands of times as he sung the well-know 'Ferry Across The Mersey'. | |
| "It is such a shame, but every year there are reports of it getting more and more dilapidated and every year we all try to do something to save it but to no avail. | |
| "It has so much history and was much loved by many in Liverpool." | |
| It is believed the vessel, a diesel electric ship built for Wallasey Ferries of Liverpool in 1950, has been taking on water at every high tide as she sits on the mud. | It is believed the vessel, a diesel electric ship built for Wallasey Ferries of Liverpool in 1950, has been taking on water at every high tide as she sits on the mud. |
| The Royal Daffodil, along with new ship The Royal Iris of Mersey, have become the flagship vessels now used to cross the Mersey. | The Royal Daffodil, along with new ship The Royal Iris of Mersey, have become the flagship vessels now used to cross the Mersey. |