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SS (RMS) ''Ellan Vannin'' was an iron-built packet steamer which was operated out of Castletown, Isle of Man for the Castletown Steam Navigation Company (also referred to as the Castletown Steam Packet Company) to Liverpool and Whitehaven.〔''The Manx Sun.'' Saturday, July 1, 1854〕 Her name, Ellan Vannin, came from the Gaelic term by which the Isle of Man is known. ==Construction & dimensions== ''Ellan Vannin'' was built by John Laird and Co. Ltd, Wallasey Pool, Birkenhead and was launched by Mrs. H. Houldsworth at 13:00hrs on Saturday June 24, 1854.〔 Length 170'; beam 21' (exclusive of the paddle boxes) 39' overall. ''Ellan Vannin'' was powered by two oscillating marine engines with tubular boilers, built by Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co. (similar to those installed in the ''Countess of Ellesmere'') which developed , driving two paddle wheels of 16' diameter which were fitted with feathered floats.〔 The paddle floats were "feathered" so as to help to reduce vibration which could be common in early marine steam engines.〔 She was divided into five water tight compartments had accommodation for 100 tons of cargo and a bunker capacity for 40 tons of coal.〔''Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday March 10th, 1858.〕 ''Ellan Vannin'' was said to be a remarkably handsome vessel,〔 having a smart rakish appearance, her general exterior being similar to the ''Countess of Ellesmere.''〔 In fact she was built very much after the model of that vessel, but with the additional requirements to adapt her for sea-going purposes in the challenging conditions around the Isle of Man.〔 Clinker built, ''Ellan Vannin'' was rigged as a two mast steamer〔 with two white painted funnels〔 and with a full length female figurehead sitting on a rock adorned with a castellated crown.〔 ''Ellan Vannin'' was well appointed for the carriage of passengers with accommodation for 91 First Class and 195 Second Class.〔〔 Her after saloon was in length and high.〔 The walls were panelled and decorated with sketches of Castletown and Birkenhead.〔 The ends of the saloon were finished with fretwork panels in oak〔 and in the ceiling two handsome sky lights constructed of East India Teak allowed ample light to be directed inwards. Off the main saloon was the ladies' cabin which also enjoyed a similar level of comfort to the main saloon.〔 The Captain's room, stewards pantry and the washrooms were situated at the foot of the main staircase.〔 There was a forward saloon for the use of second class passengers, and around the deck were situated seats which could be removed in order to accommodate general cargo or livestock.〔 A Tyzak and Dobson patent windlass was installed on the deck so as to aid the loading and unloading of cargo.〔 ''Ellan Vannin'' underwent her sea trials on Saturday July 29, 1854,〔''Manx Sun.'' Saturday August 5th, 1854〕 prior to which she was involved in a race against the ''Duchess of Ellesmere'' (said by contemporary reports to be the fastest steamer on smooth water in the whole of England).〔 Several representatives of her owners were present accompanied by a band, and were taken to the ''Ellan Vannin'', which was lying mid-stream by the steam tug ''Sampson''.〔 Once aboard the party witnessed the launch of the steamer ''Ethiope'', the ''Ellan Vannin'' then steamed up the river as far as the Ince Lighthouse to meet the ''Countess of Ellesmere''.〔 The ''Countess'' operating under the command of Captain Street,〔 was brought up alongside the ''Ellan Vannin'', at that point full steam was given and both vessels raced away towards Garston.〔 For a short time the ''Countess'' gained on the ''Ellan Vannin'' but soon both vessels came exactly abreast of each other. The race took twelve minutes to cover the 5 nautical miles to Garston, the result being a dead heat.〔 Subsequently the ''Ellan Vannin'' sailed down the channel as far as the Bell Buoy and back, during the course of which her speed was gauged by Captain Ponsonby on board the ''Mobile''.〔 A two knot tide was running against her,〔 however the ''Ellan Vannin'' covered the distance from the Northwest Lightship to the Rock Lighthouse in 1 hour 12 minutes.〔 Luncheon was then served, the directors being joined by John Laird who had been on deck observing the trial.〔 The ''Ellan Vannin'' made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Castletown on Tuesday August 1,〔 with several directors of the Castletown Steam Navigation Company being onboard after accepting the vessel from John Laird & Co.〔 For the town of Castletown it was described as a joyous occasion.〔 Shops in the town were closed, numerous flags were flown and ships in the harbour were adorned with bunting.〔 One flag at the company’s offices displayed the ancient armorial symbol of the Isle of Man, with the motto "We are Progressing" and on the reverse side "Success to our Steamer".〔 To signal the ''Ellan Vannin’s'' arrival small cannon were placed at different points〔 – one at the stack of Scarlett, another at the old pier-head and a third on the quay. Work had also been undertaken by the Commissioners of Harbours in order to deepen the harbour so as to accommodate the new vessel.〔 The ''Ellan Vannin'' departed Liverpool at 08:00hrs〔 and made good time during the passage. Just after 14:00hrs she rounded Langness Point and entered Castletown Bay,〔 amidst the booming of the cannon and the cheering of the crowd, arriving off the pier at 14:20hrs having made passage in 6 hours 20 minutes.〔 After landing her passengers and the directors who had been on board, the ''Ellan Vannin'' proceeded across to the new pier where she was opened to the general public.〔 The ''Ben-my-Chree'', which was returning to Douglas following a pleasure cruise around the Island passed close by and greeted the ''Ellan Vannin'' by firing two guns.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「SS Ellan Vannin (1854)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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