FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 141 - WINTER / SPRING 2006

This book compiled by well-known transport photographer and enthusiast Stan Basnett, is mainly a photographic trawl through the various aspects of the Isle of Man Steam Packet. It starts of by “setting the scene” this shows Douglas as it was, and the improvements to the harbour that were done in the early 1980s, and continues right up to the present day showing the elevated walk way. Chapter 2 continues to the “Driving force” this chapter describes the engines fitted to the Steam Packet vessels, and has some very interesting photographs of the engine rooms of the fleet.

This is a location not often photographed on ships mainly due to the tight confines, and poor lighting of the engine rooms. Stan has pictorially shown the pride the crews took and still do take in the engine rooms. Chapter 3 covers a scene now not economically viable “The winter lay up” this was once an important aspect of the Company with its very seasonal trade, and is very well covered in this chapter. The reasons behind the lay ups and what was done to the ships whilst they were laid up are all shown very well in the photographs. Chapter 4 covers what the Steam Packet did in both world wars, and the fact that the Steam Packet had most of its vessels requisitioned and served well. Some astonishing acts of bravery particularly at Dunkirk were recorded, and the photographs in this chapter show the Packet vessels in a camouflaged and work weary state. The Steam Packet passenger carrying vessels are mostly well known, not so well known are the freight vessels these have chapter 5 all to themselves and are all seen in this chapter.

Also shown is the very time consuming way in which large freight had to be moved before Ro-Ro came to the Island. Chapter 6 is photographs of the Steam Packet away from Douglas, and shows the wide variety of ports the Steam Packet has visited over the years. Chapter 7 shows the large amounts of memorabilia that the Steam Packet has generated over the passage of 175 years including items from ships broken up many years ago. This hardback book is very well produced and is well worth the £21.50 price and would be a perfect gift for anyone interested in shipping or the transport of the Isle of Man generally.

James Maddrell