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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin |display title=TSS ''Caledonian Princess''}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image= [[File:Tuxedo Princess under the Tyne Bridge, 2006.jpg|300px]]
| Ship image= Tuxedo Princess under the Tyne Bridge, 2006.jpg
| Ship caption= TSS ''Caledonian Princess'', as the ''[[Tuxedo Princess]]'', under the [[Tyne Bridge]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England, in 2006
| Ship caption= TSS ''Caledonian Princess'', as the ''Tuxedo Princess'', under the [[Tyne Bridge]] in 2006
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=
| Hide header=
| Ship country=
| Ship country=
| Ship name=TSS<!--<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>--> Caledonian Princess
| Ship name=*TSS ''Caledonian Princess''
*1983: ''Tuxedo Princess''
*1988: ''Caledonian Princess''
*1998: ''Tuxedo Princess''
*2008: ''Prince ''
| Ship namesake =
| Ship namesake =
| Ship owner=*1961–1982: [[British Transport Commission]]/[[British Railways Board]]/[[Sealink]]
| Ship owner=
*1982–2007: Michael Quadrini Group (Riverzest / Absolute Leisure<ref name="risklist"/>)
| Ship operator=1961–1968 [[Caledonian Steam Packet Company]]</br>
| Ship operator=*1961–1968: [[Caledonian Steam Packet Company]] (Irish Services)
1968–1981 British Rail [[Sealink]]
*1968–1981: [[British Rail]] / [[Sealink]]
| Ship registry={{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
| Ship route=[[Stranraer]]&ndash;[[Larne]]
| Ship registry=[[Stranraer]] {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
| Ship route=*1961–1968: [[Stranraer]]&ndash;[[Larne]]
*1968–1981: [[English Channel]], [[Channel Islands]] and [[Irish Sea]]
*1984–2007: Permanently moored: River Tyne (1988–1998: River Clyde)
| Ship ordered=
| Ship ordered=
| Ship builder=[[William Denny and Brothers]] ([[River Clyde]])</br>[[Dumbarton]], Scotland<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship builder=[[William Denny & Brothers]], [[Dumbarton]], Scotland<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship original cost=
| Ship original cost=
| Ship yard number=1501<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship yard number=1501<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
Line 24: Line 33:
| Ship christened=
| Ship christened=
| Ship acquired=
| Ship acquired=
| Ship maiden voyage=
| Ship maiden voyage=9 October 1961
| Ship in service=
| Ship in service=
| Ship out of service=1981
| Ship out of service=1981
| Ship identification=[[IMO ship identification number|IMO]]: 5057840<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship fate= 2008: Scrapped in [[Aliağa]], Turkey<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship identification={{IMO|5057840}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship notes=First car ferry for the [[Stranraer]] to [[Larne]] route
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=
| Ship country=
| Ship name=Tuxedo Princess
| Ship namesake =
| Ship owner=
| Ship operator=
| Ship registry=
| Ship route=Permanently moored:</br>River Tyne</br>River Clyde</br>River Tyne
| Ship acquired=
| Ship in service=1984
| Ship out of service=
| Ship identification=
| Ship notes=
| Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=
| Ship country=
| Ship name=Prince
| Ship namesake =
| Ship owner=
| Ship operator=
| Ship registry=
| Ship route=
| Ship acquired=
| Ship in service=
| Ship out of service=
| Ship identification=
| Ship fate=Scrapped (2008) in [[Aliağa]], Turkey<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship status=
| Ship notes=Never in service as ''Prince''
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Header caption=
| Header caption=
| Ship type=[[Roll-on/roll-off|RORO]] [[ferry]]
| Ship type=[[Roll-on/roll-off|RORO]] [[ferry]]
| Ship tonnage=
| Ship tonnage=*{{GT|3,630}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship displacement={{GT|3,630}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
*{{DWT|688}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship length={{convert|107.6|m|ft}} (overall)<ref name=Miramar5057840/></br>{{convert|101.1|m|ft}} [[Length between perpendiculars|LPP]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship length=*{{convert|107.6|m|abbr=on}} (overall)<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
*{{convert|101.1|m|abbr=on}} [[Length between perpendiculars|LPP]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship beam={{convert|17.4|m|ft}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship beam={{convert|17.4|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship height=
| Ship height=
| Ship draught=
| Ship draught={{convert|12|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=cmrt/>
| Ship draft=
| Ship draft=
| Ship depth=
| Ship depth={{convert|15.7|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=cmrt/>
| Ship decks=
| Ship decks=
| Ship deck clearance=
| Ship deck clearance=
| Ship ramps=
| Ship ramps=
| Ship power=[[Steam turbine|Steam turbines]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship power=*[[Steam turbine]]s<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
*{{convert|11,500|hp|kW|abbr=on}}<ref name=cmrt/>
| Ship propulsion=[[Propeller|Twin-screws]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship propulsion=[[Propeller|Twin-screws]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship speed=20.5 [[Knot (unit)|kts]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship speed=20.5 [[Knot (unit)|kts]]<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship capacity={{DWT|688}}<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
| Ship capacity=1400 passengers; 103 cars
| Ship crew=
| Ship crew=
| Ship notes=
| Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''TSS ''Caledonian Princess''''', (later the '''''Tuxedo Princess''''' and '''''Prince'''''), was a [[United Kingdom|British]] built [[Steam turbine|turbine]] [[steamship]]. Built in 1961 as a [[roll-on/roll-off]] (RORO) [[ferry]], she spent much of her later life as a one of the permanently moored [[Tuxedo floating nightclubs]], being finally scrapped in 2008.
'''TSS ''Caledonian Princess''''' was a [[Steam turbine|turbine]] [[steamship]], built by [[William Denny & Brothers]] in 1961. A [[roll-on/roll-off]] car [[ferry]], she primarily served the [[Stranraer]] - [[Larne]] route. Under [[Sealink]] ownership, however, she operated in both the [[English Channel]] and the [[Irish Sea]]. From 1984, she spent her later life as the '''''Tuxedo Princess''''', a [[Tuxedo floating nightclubs|floating nightclub]] on the [[River Tyne]]. She never saw service under her final name, '''''Prince''''', and was scrapped in 2008.


== Ferry ==
==History==
''Caledonian Princess'' was built on the [[River Clyde]] in Scotland by [[William Denny and Brothers]] in [[Dumbarton]], [[West Dunbartonshire]].<ref name=Miramar5057840/> She was launched on 5 April 1961, and completed by November 1961.<ref name=Miramar5057840/> Built as a car ([[automobile]]) ferry, it was a [[roll-on/roll-off]] design with a single vehicle door in the [[stern]] (rear) of the ship. To facilitate the turning of [[Truck|trucks]] for disembarking, a [[Car turntable|turntable]] was included in the deck.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>
''Caledonian Princess'' was built for the [[Caledonian Steam Packet Company]] by [[William Denny & Brothers]] in [[Dumbarton]] on the [[River Leven, Dunbartonshire]] in Scotland.<ref name=Miramar5057840/> She was launched on 5 April 1961 and entered service on 9 October 1961.<ref name=Miramar5057840/><ref>Irish cross-channel service ''[[Railway Gazette International|Railway Gazette]]'' 13 October 1961 page 432</ref>


In 1968 the ship passed into the [[British Rail]] [[Sealink]] fleet, eventually receiving the large white letter ''Sealink'' branding across the full height of her hull.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> ''Caledonian Princess'' was the first stern-loading car ferry to sail into [[Douglas, Isle of Man]], when she visited on charter from Stranraer on 26 June 1968.<ref name="sealink"/> She was retired from service in 1981 and operated as a floating nightclub on the River Tyne until 2007.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>
The ferry was built for the [[Caledonian Steam Packet Company]] for the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] route from [[Stranraer]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]], to [[Larne]], [[County Antrim]], linking the west of [[Scotland]] with [[Northern Ireland]]. The introduction of the ship marked the first time cars could be carried on the Stranraer to Larne route.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> Promotional literature from the company proclaimed "Motorists! Take your car and [[Travel trailer|caravan]] by the T.S.S. ''Caledonian Princess''. To and from [[Ireland]] via Stranraer & Larne. Drive on–Drive off at any state of the [[tide]]." The poster showed the stern of the black hulled ship with a black and cream funnel, with cars driving from the dock straight onto the ship.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>
[[File:ABY 022 Caledonian Princess.jpg|thumb|Caledonian Princess at Weymouth, 1978]]


In 1968 the ship passed into the [[British Rail]] [[Sealink]] fleet, eventually receiving the large white letter ''Sealink'' branding across the full height of her hull.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> She was retired from service in 1981.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>
In April 2008, it was reported the ship would undergo a £1.5m refit, for further life as a floating nightclub in Northern Ireland.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> By the time she was being towed away from the Tyne, it was reported she was to see use as an entertainment venue in [[Piraeus]], near Athens.<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/>


===Removal from the Tyne===
== Nightclub ==
In 2007, owners Absolute Leisure sold ''Tuxedo Princess'' to foreign investors. She was renamed ''Prince'' in 2008 and moved from the Tyne to Greece.<ref name=Miramar5057840/><ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/><ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/> Towed from her mooring on 27 July 2008,<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/><ref name=BBCTyne28Jul2008/> she was guided slowly down the Tyne at low tide by two tugs. She passed under the [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge]], which had been designed to accommodate this move when installed in November 2000.<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/> Due to fog at the coast, she was moored overnight at Northumbria Quay, [[North Shields]] and left the next day, with an ocean-going tug towing her to [[Greece]].<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/>
{{Main|Tuxedo floating nightclubs}}
In 1983 she became the nightclub ''Tuxedo Princess''.<ref name=Miramar5057840/> The turntable was retained to form a revolving dance floor.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>


===Scrapping===
She was first installed on the River Tyne, opening in December 1984. When she was briefly moved to [[Glasgow]], another former car ferry, the ''Tuxedo Royale'' took up her position. Upon her return for a second spell on the Tyne, the ''Tuxedo Royale'' was moved to [[Middlesbrough]].<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>
In October 2008, the ''[[Evening Chronicle]]'' reported an investigation by ''Ships Monthly'' magazine which found that plans to convert her into a casino and restaurant had been shelved. She was likely to be scrapped, probably at a ship-breaker's yard in Turkey, as the only economically viable option for the owners, in the face of the high cost of conversion, the Europe wide credit crisis and the high scrap value of steel.<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/>


The ship was broken up for scrap in [[Aliağa]], Turkey, with the Miramar ship index citing a date of 23 August 2008.<ref name=Miramar5057840/> In early 2009, ''Ships Monthly'' ran a photo essay showing ''Prince'' being scrapped in Turkey, fittingly in the same yard as former [[Royal Navy]] destroyer {{HMS|Newcastle|D87|6}}.
== Removal from the Tyne ==
In 2007 the ship was sold by its owners Absolute Leisure to foreign investors, who in 2008 renamed her ''Prince'' and removed her from the Tyne to Greece.<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/><ref name=Miramar5057840/><ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/> The ship was towed from her mooring on the Tyne on 27 July 2008.<ref name=BBCTyne28Jul2008/><ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/> The ship was initially guided slowly down the Tyne at low tide by two tugs, under the [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge]] opened for the purpose (having been installed in November 2000), towards Northumbria Quay, [[North Shields]].<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/> She was then moored overnight in North Shields due to fog at the coast, before leaving the next day.<ref name=BBCTyne28Jul2008/> An ocean going tug was then used to tow her to Greece.<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/>


== Scrapping ==
==Layout==
Built as a car ferry, ''Caledonian Princess'' was a [[roll-on/roll-off]] design, with a single vehicle door in the [[stern]]. The vehicle deck had space for 103 cars.<ref name="sealink"/> To facilitate the turning of [[truck]]s for disembarking, a [[Car turntable|turntable]] was included in the deck.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> In 1969, she had side loading doors cut into her vehicle deck.<ref name="dover"/>
After the ships removal from the Tyne there were contradictory reports over its fate. When being towed away from the Tyne to Greece, it was to reportedly see further use as an entertainment venue of some kind in [[Piraeus]] near Athens.<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008/> In August 2008 however it was also reported the ship would undergo a £1.5m refit, with a hoped for further life as a floating nightclub in Northern Ireland.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>


The ship was a two-class vessel with accommodation for 400 1st class and 1,000 2nd class passengers.<ref name="sealink"/> She entered service with a Caledonian red lion rampant on each side of the single yellow funnel. In 1967, she was re-painted in the new livery of [[British Rail]], a blue hull and red funnel, with the "Double-Arrow" logo. Her accommodation was extensively modified in 1976.
According to an October 2008 report in the ''[[Evening Chronicle]]'', ''Prince'' was moored in Piraeus harbour, and an investigation by ''Ships Monthly'' magazine had found that plans to convert her into a casino and restaurant had been shelved and she was likely to be scrapped, probably be at a ship-breaker's yard in Turkey, as the only economically viable option for the owners, citing the high scrap value of steel, the Europe wide credit crisis, and the high cost of conversion.<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008/>


==Service==
The ship was finally broken up for scrap in [[Aliağa]], Turkey, with the Miramar ship index citing a date of 23 August 2008.<ref name=Miramar5057840/>
''Caledonian Princess'' was built for the [[North Channel (Great Britain and Ireland)|North Channel]] route from [[Stranraer]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]], to [[Larne]], [[County Antrim]], linking the west of [[Scotland]] with [[Northern Ireland]].<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> Promotional literature from the company proclaimed:{{quote|"Motorists! Take your car and caravan by the T.S.S. ''Caledonian Princess''.<br/>To and from Ireland via Stranraer & Larne. Drive on–Drive off at any state of the tide."}} The poster showed the stern of the black-hulled ship with a black-and-cream funnel, with cars driving from the dock straight onto the ship.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>


In July 1968, she left Stranraer and operated the seasonal [[Port of Holyhead|Holyhead]] - [[Dún Laoghaire]] car ferry service. Under Sealink ownership, she saw service in the English Channel and the Irish Sea. Between 1969 and 1975, she was mainly associated with the [[Goodwick#Fishguard Harbour|Fishguard]] - [[Rosslare Europort|Rosslare]] service, but often relieved for other members of the Sealink fleet.<ref name="sealink"/> In June 1975, she was laid up in reserve at [[Port of Newhaven|Newhaven]]. Alterations carried out at [[Immingham]] in February 1976 prepared her for a new multi-purpose role to the [[Channel Islands]] from [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]]. By 1981, she was Dover's final steam turbine ferry and made her last crossing on 26 September, from [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]]. She was laid up at Newhaven, pending sale.<ref name="sealink"/>
In early 2009, ''Ships Monthly'' ran a photo essay showing ''Prince'' being scrapped in Turkey, fittingly in the same yard as former [[Royal Navy]] destroyer [[HMS Newcastle (D87)|HMS ''Newcastle'']].


===Nightclub===
== External links ==
{{Main|Tuxedo floating nightclubs}}
{{Commonscat|IMO 5057840|TSS Caledonian Princess}}
She became the nightclub ''Tuxedo Princess'' on the [[River Tyne]], opening in December 1984.<ref name=Miramar5057840/> The turntable was retained to form a revolving dance floor.<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/> In 1988, she was moved to [[Glasgow]], regaining her former name.<ref name=cmrt/> Another former car ferry, the ''Tuxedo Royale'' took up her position on the Tyne. Upon her return for a second spell on the Tyne, the ''Tuxedo Royale'' was moved to [[Middlesbrough]].<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008/>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Commons category|IMO 5057840|TSS Caledonian Princess}}
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Miramar5057840>{{csr|register=MSI|id=5057840|shipname=Caledonian Princess |accessdate=13 August 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name=Miramar5057840>{{cite Miramar | id = 5057840 | shipname = Caledonian Princess | accessdate = 13 August 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008>{{cite web
<ref name=BBCInsideOut08Aug2008>{{cite web
|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2008/04/21/north_east_tuxedo_s13_w8_feature.shtml
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2008/04/21/north_east_tuxedo_s13_w8_feature.shtml
|title=Tuxedo Princess - the floating nightclub
|title=Tuxedo Princess - the floating nightclub|work=[[Inside Out (2002 TV programme)|Inside Out]]|publisher=BBC Television|date=8 August 2008|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
|work=Inside Out
|publisher=BBC
|date=8 August 2008
|accessdate=13 May 2011
}}</ref>

<ref name=BBCTyne28Jul2008>{{cite web
<ref name=BBCTyne28Jul2008>{{cite web
|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/07/28/tuxedo_princess_feature.shtml
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2008/07/28/tuxedo_princess_feature.shtml|title=Tuxedo Princess leaves the Tyne|work=[[BBC North East & Cumbria|BBC Tyne]]|publisher=BBC|date=28 July 2008|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008>{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/tm_headline=tuxedo-princess-starts-final-voyage-to-greece&method=full&objectid=21417932&siteid=72703-name_page.html|title=Tuxedo Princess starts final voyage to Greece|work=[[Evening Chronicle]]|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=28 July 2008|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
|title=Tuxedo Princess leaves the Tyne
<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008>{{cite news|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2008/10/06/iconic-tuxedo-princess-set-to-be-scrapped-72703-21973977/|title=Iconic Tuxedo Princess set to be scrapped |work=Evening Chronicle|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=6 October 2008|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>
|work=BBC Tyne
<ref name="dover">{{cite web| url=http://www.doverferryphotos.co.uk/pastandpresent/caleyp.htm| title=TS Prince| publisher=Dover Ferries| accessdate=14 May 2011| url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004232526/http://www.doverferryphotos.co.uk/pastandpresent/caleyp.htm|archivedate=4 October 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|publisher=BBC
<ref name="sealink">{{cite web| url=http://www.sealink-holyhead.com/railway/ships/caleyp/home.html| title=Caledonian Princess| publisher=Sealink| accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref>
|date=28 July 2008
<ref name=cmrt>{{csr| register=C| id=15824| shipname=TSS Caledonian Princess| accessdate=4 March 2023}}</ref>
|accessdate=13 May 2011
<ref name="risklist">{{cite web|url=http://www.transportbritain.co.uk/risklist.html| title=Historic Vessels at Risk List| publisher=Transport Britain| accessdate=14 May 2011}}</ref>
}}</ref>

<ref name=EveningChronicle28Jul2008>{{cite news
|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/tm_headline=tuxedo-princess-starts-final-voyage-to-greece&method=full&objectid=21417932&siteid=72703-name_page.html
|title=Tuxedo Princess starts final voyage to Greece
|work=Evening Chronicle
|publisher=Trinity Mirror
|date=28 July 2008
|accessdate=13 May 2011
}}</ref>

<ref name=EveningChronicle06Oct2008>{{cite news
|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2008/10/06/iconic-tuxedo-princess-set-to-be-scrapped-72703-21973977/
|title=Iconic Tuxedo Princess set to be scrapped
|work=Evening Chronicle
|publisher=Trinity Mirror
|date=6 October 2008
|accessdate=13 May 2011
}}</ref>

}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Caledonian Princess}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caledonian Princess}}
[[Category:Clyde-built ships]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:1961 ships]]
[[Category:1961 ships]]
[[Category:Ferries of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ferries of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships of British Rail]]
[[Category:Ships of British Rail]]
[[Category:Steamships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 13:47, 4 March 2023

TSS Caledonian Princess, as the Tuxedo Princess, under the Tyne Bridge in 2006
History
Name
  • TSS Caledonian Princess
  • 1983: Tuxedo Princess
  • 1988: Caledonian Princess
  • 1998: Tuxedo Princess
  • 2008: Prince
Owner
Operator
Port of registryStranraer  United Kingdom
Route
BuilderWilliam Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland[2]
Yard number1501[2]
Launched5 April 1961[2]
CompletedNovember 1961[2]
Maiden voyage9 October 1961
Out of service1981
IdentificationIMO number: 5057840[2]
Fate2008: Scrapped in Aliağa, Turkey[2]
General characteristics
TypeRORO ferry
Tonnage
Length
  • 107.6 m (353 ft) (overall)[2]
  • 101.1 m (332 ft) LPP[2]
Beam17.4 m (57 ft)[2]
Draught12 ft (3.7 m)[3]
Depth15.7 ft (4.8 m)[3]
Installed power
PropulsionTwin-screws[2]
Speed20.5 kts[2]
Capacity1400 passengers; 103 cars

TSS Caledonian Princess was a turbine steamship, built by William Denny & Brothers in 1961. A roll-on/roll-off car ferry, she primarily served the Stranraer - Larne route. Under Sealink ownership, however, she operated in both the English Channel and the Irish Sea. From 1984, she spent her later life as the Tuxedo Princess, a floating nightclub on the River Tyne. She never saw service under her final name, Prince, and was scrapped in 2008.

History

[edit]

Caledonian Princess was built for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company by William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton on the River Leven, Dunbartonshire in Scotland.[2] She was launched on 5 April 1961 and entered service on 9 October 1961.[2][4]

In 1968 the ship passed into the British Rail Sealink fleet, eventually receiving the large white letter Sealink branding across the full height of her hull.[5] Caledonian Princess was the first stern-loading car ferry to sail into Douglas, Isle of Man, when she visited on charter from Stranraer on 26 June 1968.[6] She was retired from service in 1981 and operated as a floating nightclub on the River Tyne until 2007.[5]

Caledonian Princess at Weymouth, 1978

In April 2008, it was reported the ship would undergo a £1.5m refit, for further life as a floating nightclub in Northern Ireland.[5] By the time she was being towed away from the Tyne, it was reported she was to see use as an entertainment venue in Piraeus, near Athens.[7]

Removal from the Tyne

[edit]

In 2007, owners Absolute Leisure sold Tuxedo Princess to foreign investors. She was renamed Prince in 2008 and moved from the Tyne to Greece.[2][7][8] Towed from her mooring on 27 July 2008,[7][9] she was guided slowly down the Tyne at low tide by two tugs. She passed under the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which had been designed to accommodate this move when installed in November 2000.[8] Due to fog at the coast, she was moored overnight at Northumbria Quay, North Shields and left the next day, with an ocean-going tug towing her to Greece.[7]

Scrapping

[edit]

In October 2008, the Evening Chronicle reported an investigation by Ships Monthly magazine which found that plans to convert her into a casino and restaurant had been shelved. She was likely to be scrapped, probably at a ship-breaker's yard in Turkey, as the only economically viable option for the owners, in the face of the high cost of conversion, the Europe wide credit crisis and the high scrap value of steel.[8]

The ship was broken up for scrap in Aliağa, Turkey, with the Miramar ship index citing a date of 23 August 2008.[2] In early 2009, Ships Monthly ran a photo essay showing Prince being scrapped in Turkey, fittingly in the same yard as former Royal Navy destroyer HMS Newcastle.

Layout

[edit]

Built as a car ferry, Caledonian Princess was a roll-on/roll-off design, with a single vehicle door in the stern. The vehicle deck had space for 103 cars.[6] To facilitate the turning of trucks for disembarking, a turntable was included in the deck.[5] In 1969, she had side loading doors cut into her vehicle deck.[10]

The ship was a two-class vessel with accommodation for 400 1st class and 1,000 2nd class passengers.[6] She entered service with a Caledonian red lion rampant on each side of the single yellow funnel. In 1967, she was re-painted in the new livery of British Rail, a blue hull and red funnel, with the "Double-Arrow" logo. Her accommodation was extensively modified in 1976.

Service

[edit]

Caledonian Princess was built for the North Channel route from Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, to Larne, County Antrim, linking the west of Scotland with Northern Ireland.[5] Promotional literature from the company proclaimed:

"Motorists! Take your car and caravan by the T.S.S. Caledonian Princess.
To and from Ireland via Stranraer & Larne. Drive on–Drive off at any state of the tide."

The poster showed the stern of the black-hulled ship with a black-and-cream funnel, with cars driving from the dock straight onto the ship.[5]

In July 1968, she left Stranraer and operated the seasonal Holyhead - Dún Laoghaire car ferry service. Under Sealink ownership, she saw service in the English Channel and the Irish Sea. Between 1969 and 1975, she was mainly associated with the Fishguard - Rosslare service, but often relieved for other members of the Sealink fleet.[6] In June 1975, she was laid up in reserve at Newhaven. Alterations carried out at Immingham in February 1976 prepared her for a new multi-purpose role to the Channel Islands from Weymouth. By 1981, she was Dover's final steam turbine ferry and made her last crossing on 26 September, from Boulogne. She was laid up at Newhaven, pending sale.[6]

Nightclub

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Main article: Tuxedo floating nightclubs

She became the nightclub Tuxedo Princess on the River Tyne, opening in December 1984.[2] The turntable was retained to form a revolving dance floor.[5] In 1988, she was moved to Glasgow, regaining her former name.[3] Another former car ferry, the Tuxedo Royale took up her position on the Tyne. Upon her return for a second spell on the Tyne, the Tuxedo Royale was moved to Middlesbrough.[5]

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to TSS Caledonian Princess.
  1. ^ "Historic Vessels at Risk List". Transport Britain. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Caledonian Princess (5057840)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "TSS Caledonian Princess (15824)". Scottish Built Ships database. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  4. ^ Irish cross-channel service Railway Gazette 13 October 1961 page 432
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Tuxedo Princess - the floating nightclub". Inside Out. BBC Television. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d "Tuxedo Princess starts final voyage to Greece". Evening Chronicle. Trinity Mirror. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b c "Iconic Tuxedo Princess set to be scrapped". Evening Chronicle. Trinity Mirror. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  8. ^ "Tuxedo Princess leaves the Tyne". BBC Tyne. BBC. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  9. ^ "TS Prince". Dover Ferries. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
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