Manx Line
Encyclopedia
Manx Line was the name of the ferry company that brought the RO-RO era to the Isle of Man between 1979-1984. It wasn't the first company called "Manx Line", with the Steam Packet Company having seen off another company with the same name in the late 19th century.
was head of this new venture. Many people preferred this exciting new concept of travel to rival company the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's sideloaders and passenger only turbine steamers. The company had very good advertising and became popular very quickly, however, the Manx Viking broke down quite frequently in the first year of operations.
Manx Line offered a service from Douglas
to the Lancashire port of Heysham
. The first easterly gale to blow in the year of 1978 destroyed the Manx Line linkspan in Douglas Harbour, and caused £1 million of damage to the Victoria Pier. It took five years to settle the matter, but by that time Sealink
had taken over the Manx Line operation, and continued to operate the Manx Viking on the same route, offering strong competition to the Steam Packet Company, who purchased a linkspan in 1980, and took out a charter on the P&O vessel NF Jaguar (later Peveril) in rivalry to the Manx Viking.
Manx Line – as part of Sealink – was later sold to Sea Containers Ltd
, and became the vehicle for a reverse takeover by SeaCo of the Steam Packet Company, so consolidating the two Manx businesses.
The Manx Viking continued to operate on the Manx shipping scene until 1986 when she was replaced by Peveril. She was sold to a Norwegian company as the Manx, later Skudenes. She was sold on again to a Canadian company as the Nindawayma.
History
The company operated one Spanish vessel, Monte Castillo, which was renamed Manx Viking. It emerged that motorcycle ace Geoff DukeGeoff Duke
Geoffrey Ernest Duke OBE is a British multi-time motorcycle Grand Prix road racing world champion.Geoff Duke dominated motorcycle racing in the 1950s, winning six world championships and six Isle of Man TT races...
was head of this new venture. Many people preferred this exciting new concept of travel to rival company the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's sideloaders and passenger only turbine steamers. The company had very good advertising and became popular very quickly, however, the Manx Viking broke down quite frequently in the first year of operations.
Manx Line offered a service from Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
to the Lancashire port of Heysham
Heysham
Heysham is a large coastal village near Lancaster in the county of Lancashire, England. Overlooking Morecambe Bay, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man and Ireland. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area...
. The first easterly gale to blow in the year of 1978 destroyed the Manx Line linkspan in Douglas Harbour, and caused £1 million of damage to the Victoria Pier. It took five years to settle the matter, but by that time Sealink
Sealink
Sealink was a ferry company based in the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1984, operating services to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Channel Islands, Isle of Wight and Ireland....
had taken over the Manx Line operation, and continued to operate the Manx Viking on the same route, offering strong competition to the Steam Packet Company, who purchased a linkspan in 1980, and took out a charter on the P&O vessel NF Jaguar (later Peveril) in rivalry to the Manx Viking.
Manx Line – as part of Sealink – was later sold to Sea Containers Ltd
Sea Containers Ltd
Sea Containers Ltd. is a Bermuda-registered company which operates two main business areas: transport and container leasing.In March 2006 the company sold its share of Orient-Express Hotels...
, and became the vehicle for a reverse takeover by SeaCo of the Steam Packet Company, so consolidating the two Manx businesses.
The Manx Viking continued to operate on the Manx shipping scene until 1986 when she was replaced by Peveril. She was sold to a Norwegian company as the Manx, later Skudenes. She was sold on again to a Canadian company as the Nindawayma.
Fleet
Manx Line operated only one vessel. Various other vessels covered for the Manx Viking during the seven year period.- MS Manx Viking
- MS Viking III (charter in 1980)