MV Munster was a passenger ferry operated by the British and Irish Steam Packet Company from 1938 to 1940. She was sunk by a mine during WWII.

Munster mined approaching Liverpool
History
NameMV Munster (1937-40)
NamesakeMunster
OwnerBritish and Irish Steam Packet Company
Port of registryLiverpool
RouteLiverpool-Dublin (1938-1940)
BuilderHarland and Wolff
Yard number996
Launched3 November 1937
Completed22 February 1938
IdentificationOfficial No.166226
FateSank in 1940
General characteristics
Tonnage4,302 GRT
Length345 ft (105.2 m)
Beam50 ft (15.2 m)
Draught4.13 m (13.5 ft)
Installed power2 x Single Acting (S.A.) Diesel 1347 n.h.p.
PropulsionTwin screws
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Notes[1]

History

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MV Munster was a passenger ship built by Harland and Wolff for the British and Irish Steam Packet Company in 1937.[2] She and her sister MV Leinster took up their intended service between Liverpool and Dublin in 1938. Their original buff hulls were later changed to dark green.[2] Although they were the largest vessels in the Coast Lines fleet, they did not have capacity for cattle on the Dublin route. Two cattle carriers were added to the fleet: Kilkenny (1,320 tons from the Liffey Dockyard), and Dundalk (630 tons from Ardrossan, Scotland).[3][4]

Whilst on the Belfast to Liverpool run on 7 February 1940, Munster triggered a magnetic mine near the Liverpool Bar at 6 am, laid by German submarine U-30. Munster sank; all 250 aboard were rescued, although one died later.[1]

Service

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Munster". The Yard/Harland & Wolff. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b "1938 Munster (3) (British and Irish)". Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  3. ^ "B&I Line". Irish Ferries Enthusiasts. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  4. ^ Ian Collard (2015). Coast Lines: Fleet List and History. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1445646756. Retrieved 19 August 2018.