PS Earl Spencer (1874)

PS Earl Spencer was a paddle steamer passenger vessel operated by the London and North Western Railway from 1874 to 1896.

History
NameEarl Spencer
NamesakeJohn Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1868 to 1874
OwnerLondon and North Western Railway
OperatorLondon and North Western Railway
Port of registry
Route1874–1896: Holyhead - Greenore
BuilderLaird Brothers
Yard number416
Launched4 July 1874
Out of service1896
IdentificationUnited Kingdom Official Number: 70620
FateScrapped 1896
General characteristics
Tonnage855 gross register tons (GRT), 374 net register tons (NRT)
Length253 feet 7 inches (77.29 m)
Beam29 feet 4 inches (8.94 m)
Draught14 feet 7 inches (4.45 m)
Installed power2-cylinder oscillating steam engine
PropulsionPaddle wheels

Description

edit

Earl Spencer was 253 feet 7 inches (77.29 m) long, with a beam of 29 feet 4 inches (8.94 m) and a depth of 14 feet 7 inches (4.45 m). She was powered by a two-cylinder oscillating steam engine, which had cylinders of 64 inches (160 cm) diameter by 72 inches (180 cm) stroke. She was assessed at 855 GRT, 374 NRT.[1]

History

edit

Earl Spencer was built in 1874 as yard number 416 by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, Cheshire for the London and North Western Railway. She was launched on 4 July. Her port of registry was London and the United Kingdom Official Number 70620 was allocated.[1] On 17 October 1874, she collided with the schooner Merlin in the Irish Sea whilst on a voyage from Greenore, County Louth to Holyhead, Anglesey. Merlin sank. Her three crew were rescued by Earl Spencer and landed at Holyhead.[2] In 1885, her port of registry was changed to Dublin.[1] On 7 January 1888, she became stranded on the breakwater at Holyhead. Her 57 passengers were rescued, 50 by rocket apparatus and the rest by the Holyhead lifeboat.[3] She was scrapped at Preston, Lancashire in the second quarter of 1896.[1]

Citations

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Earl Spencer". UK Shipbuilders. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Collision off Holyhead". Birmingham Daily Post. No. 5075. Birmingham. 19 October 1874.
  3. ^ "Maritime Casualties". The Times. No. 32277. London. 9 January 1888. col D, p. 7.