MV Princess Victoria (1946) facts for kids

The MV Princess Victoria was an important ship. It was one of the first ferries that allowed cars to drive directly on and off. This type of ship is called a roll-on/roll-off ferry.

Built in 1947, the Princess Victoria sailed between Stranraer, Scotland, and Larne, Northern Ireland. It was first run by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Later, British Railways took over its operations.

Sadly, on January 31, 1953, the ship sank during a huge storm. This storm was part of the severe European windstorm that caused a lot of damage. The sinking happened in the North Channel. Tragically, 135 people lost their lives. This was the worst sea disaster in United Kingdom waters since World War II.

Building the Princess Victoria

The Princess Victoria was launched on August 27, 1946. It was finished and ready for service in 1947. The ship was built by William Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland.

This ship was special because it was the first ferry of its kind in British waters. It was designed specifically for cars to roll on and off. It was the fourth ship to be named Princess Victoria. The ship before it, built in 1939, had sunk during World War II.

Even though it had new loading methods, the Princess Victoria looked similar to its older sister ship. It could carry 1,500 passengers. It also had space for 70 tons of cargo and up to 40 cars. There were even sleeping areas for 54 people.

The Day the Ship Sank

On January 31, 1953, the Princess Victoria was captained by 55-year-old James Ferguson. He had been a captain on this route for 17 years. The ship left Stranraer at 7:45 AM. It carried 44 tons of cargo, 128 passengers, and 51 crew members.

There was a strong wind warning, but Captain Ferguson decided to sail. The ship started in Loch Ryan, which is a calm area. So, the full force of the storm wasn't clear at first. But, water was already splashing over the back doors.

A special "guillotine door" was supposed to protect the back doors. It was added because waves often hit the stern (back) of the ship. However, this door was rarely used because it took too long to open and close. On this day, it was damaged and couldn't be lowered.

Damage to the Ship

After leaving Loch Ryan, the ship turned towards Larne. This exposed its back to the huge waves. The powerful waves damaged the low stern doors. Water began to pour onto the car deck. The crew tried to close the doors, but they were too broken. More and more water flooded in.

The ship had drains (called scuppers) to let water out. But these drains were not big enough. Also, the car deck was flat, so water didn't drain away easily. The ship started to lean to the right side (starboard).

Captain Ferguson decided to try to go back to the safety of Loch Ryan. He wanted to use the bow (front) rudder and go backwards. But the storm was too strong. The crew couldn't release the pin for the bow rudder. So, the captain changed his plan. He decided to try to reach the Irish coast. He hoped this course would protect the ship's stern from the worst waves.

Sending for Help

At 9:46 AM, almost two hours after leaving Stranraer, the ship sent a message. The radio operator, David Broadfoot, sent it in Morse code. The Princess Victoria did not have a modern radio telephone. The message said they were off Loch Ryan and needed tugboats urgently.

More water kept coming in, and the ship leaned even more. This was made worse by the cargo shifting inside. At 10:32 AM, an SOS message was sent. This is a worldwide distress signal. Finally, at 2:00 PM, the order was given to abandon the ship.

Rescue Efforts Begin

The first warship nearby was HMS Launceston Castle. It was a frigate heading to Derry. It searched for the ferry but had to leave because of engine problems.

After the SOS, the Portpatrick Lifeboat Jeannie Spiers was sent out. The destroyer HMS Contest also left Rothesay at 11:09 AM. The Contest got close to the Princess Victoria's last known spot by 1:30 PM. But bad weather meant they couldn't see the sinking ship. The destroyer tried to go fast but had to slow down due to storm damage.

The Princess Victoria kept reporting its position. But its engines were still running slowly. This meant the ship was moving closer to Ireland. At 1:08 PM, the ship broadcast that its engines had stopped. The very last Morse code message was at 1:58 PM. It said the ship was "on her beam end" (lying on its side). It was five miles east of the Copeland Islands.

Helping the Survivors

An RAF Handley Page Hastings aircraft, similar to those that helped in the rescue.

The official investigation found that other rescue missions were happening that day. This made it harder to help the Princess Victoria. An RAF Handley Page Hastings aircraft was helping elsewhere. It didn't reach the ferry until 3:31 PM. It dropped supplies and guided HMS Contest to the scene.

The investigation noted how much better things might have been if the aircraft had arrived earlier. Confusion about the ship's exact location also made it hard for rescuers to find it. It wasn't until 1:35 PM that the crew saw the coast of Northern Ireland. They sent a new position, and then rescuers could find them.

Besides Navy ships, RAF planes, and lifeboats, four merchant ships also helped. They had been sheltering in Belfast Lough. They sailed out immediately after hearing the Princess Victoria's new position. These ships were the Lairdsmoor, Eastcotes, Pass of Drumochter, and Orchy.

The lifeboat Sir Samuel Kelly is now preserved in Northern Ireland.

These merchant ships arrived before the lifeboats. But they couldn't rescue people directly. The huge waves made it too dangerous. They could only provide shelter from the worst of the sea. The Donaghadee lifeboat, Sir Samuel Kelly, then arrived. It was able to bring survivors on board. This lifeboat has been saved and can be seen at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

The captains of the merchant ships were honored for their bravery. They were given the Member of the Order of the British Empire award. Two men from HMS Contest also received the George Medal. They dove into the water to help survivors.

The ship's radio officer, David Broadfoot, was given the George Cross after he died. He stayed at his post until the very end. This allowed others to escape, but it meant he could not save himself. His medal is on display in Stranraer Museum.

Only 44 people survived the sinking, and all of them were men. None of the ship's officers survived.

The Sad Loss of Life

The sinking of the Princess Victoria happened during a very bad European windstorm. This storm also caused the North Sea flood of 1953. That flood led to 531 deaths in the UK. The Princess Victoria sinking was the worst single event during that storm.

In total, 135 people died. This included the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Maynard Sinclair. Also, Sir Walter Smiles, a Member of Parliament, sadly passed away. No women or children survived the disaster. People who saw it said they saw a lifeboat with women and children in it crash against the side of the Princess Victoria due to the huge waves.

This disaster shocked many people. It was a routine journey, a short trip of about 20 miles. People thought the waters were safe, even in bad weather.

In Larne and Stranraer, many families were affected. These towns relied a lot on their seaports. A ceremony was held in Larne. Wreaths were placed on the water, and people sang a hymn.

The bodies of 100 people were found. Some were found as far away as the Isle of Man.

Official Investigation

An official investigation into the sinking was held in March 1953. It took place at Crumlin Road Courthouse in Belfast. The investigation found two main reasons for the loss of the Princess Victoria:

• First, the stern (back) doors were not strong enough.
• Second, the system for draining water from the car deck was not good enough.

The report concluded: "If the Princess Victoria had been as staunch as those who manned her, then all would have been well and the disaster averted." This means if the ship had been as strong as its crew, the disaster might have been avoided.

The investigation also noted that a Navy destroyer, HMS Tenacious, could not sail to help. Too many of its crew were on shore leave. Because of this, the Navy changed its rules. A duty destroyer now had to be ready to sail within one hour.

Remembering the Princess Victoria

A memorial in Portpatrick remembering the Princess Victoria disaster.

There are memorials to the Princess Victoria in several places. You can find them in Chaine Road, Larne, County Antrim. There are also memorials in Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, and Stranraer, Wigtownshire. In Stranraer, 23 people from the town died in the disaster.

Every year, on the anniversary of the sinking, memorial services are held. These take place on both sides of the North Channel. Many survivors still attend these services.

In 2003, for the 50th anniversary, a new plaque was put up in Stranraer. It has the names of those who were lost. A piper played a special tune called "Lament of the MV Princess Victoria." Two new plaques were also unveiled at the memorial in Larne.

The lifeboat Sir Samuel Kelly from Donaghadee helped in the rescue. It has been preserved and is now in a car park nearby. There is also a memorial plaque and a sculpture by Joseph Scherrer. It is on the cliff overlooking the Irish Sea. This was put up in 2003, 50 years after the sinking.

In 2013, a service was held at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast for the 60th anniversary.

The disaster has also been remembered in art. Belfast poet Roy McFadden wrote a poem about it. British folk singer Gareth Davies-Jones wrote a song called "Princess Victoria."

On January 28, 2018, a service was held in Donaghadee for the 65th anniversary. Lifeboats from Donaghadee, Portpatrick, and Larne met at the wreck site to place wreaths. A church service was also held.

Finding the Wreck

The wreck of the Princess Victoria was not found until 1992. A team from Cromarty Firth Diving, led by John MacKenzie, located it. They used information from a Royal Navy survey done in 1973.

The ship lies about 5 miles north-north-east of the Copeland Islands. It is in about 90 meters (295 feet) of water. Videos and photos from this expedition were shown on a BBC program in 1993. This was for the 40th anniversary of the sinking.

In 2008, for the 55th anniversary, a memorial service was held in Larne. A special accordion tune called "Victoria" was played during the service.

Other Similar Incidents

The sinking of the Princess Victoria was a sad event. Other roll-on/roll-off ferries have also sunk.

• The Jan Heweliusz and Estonia both sank in storms. They were ships that should have been able to survive such weather.
• The Herald of Free Enterprise capsized because its bow doors were accidentally left open. Water flooded the car deck while the ship was moving.

See also

• List of disasters in Great Britain and Ireland by death toll
• List of roll-on/roll-off vessel accidents
• List of ships built by William Denny and Brothers

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