View source for SS Fenella (1881)

{{Short description|Passenger steam ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = Fenella 1-01.jpg
| Ship caption             = [[Royal Mail Ship|RMS]] ''Fenella''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Isle of Man|civil}}
| Ship name                = ''Fenella''
| Ship owner               = 1881–1929: [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]]
| Ship operator            = 1881–1929: IOMSPCo.
| Ship registry            = [[Douglas, Isle of Man]]
| Ship route               = 
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = Barrow Shipbuilding Company, [[Barrow-in-Furness]]
| Ship original cost       = £18,750
| Ship yard number         = 
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            =  9 June 1881
| Ship completed           = 
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 1881
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 1929
| Ship identification      =*[[Official number|Official Number 76303]]
*[[Code letters|Code Letters]]  J C T G
*{{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Golf}}
*<ref>''Ships of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company'' (Fred Henry) p. 66</ref>
| Ship fate                = Sold 1929. Scrapped at Newport
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = 
| Header caption           = 
| Ship type                = Packet Steamer
| Ship tonnage             =  {{GRT|564|disp=long}}
| Ship length              = {{convert|200|ft}}
| Ship beam                = {{convert|26|ft}}
| Ship draught             = 
| Ship depth               = {{convert|13|ft}}
| Ship decks               = 
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship power               = {{convert|1200|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}} 
| Ship propulsion          = Two sets of vertical compound engines, working at {{convert|85|psi}}, producing an [[indicated horsepower]] of {{convert|1200|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
| Ship speed               = {{convert|14|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship capacity            = 504 passengers
| Ship crew                = 28
| Ship notes               = 
}}
|}

'''SS [[Royal Mail Ship|(RMS)]] ''Fenella'' (I)''', [[Official number|No.76303]], was an Iron twin-screw steamer operated by the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]], and was the first ship in the company's history to bear the name.

==Construction and dimensions==
''Fenella'' was built by the [[Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering|Barrow Shipbuilding Company]] of [[Barrow-in-Furness]] and was launched at Barrow by Miss Barnett on Thursday 9 June 1881.<ref name="auto">The Isle of Man Weekly Advertising Circular. Tuesday 14 June 1881.</ref>
Tonnage {{GRT|564}}; length 200&nbsp;ft; beam 26&nbsp;ft; depth 13&nbsp;ft.
The vessel cost £18,750 and was certificated for a crew of 28 and 504 passengers. She had an indicated horsepower of 1,200 and a speed of 14 knots, with a boiler pressure of 85 psi. She was driven by two sets of vertical compound engines, each with cylinder bores of 23 and 42&nbsp;inches, with a stroke of 24&nbsp;inches.
[[File:RMS Fenella..jpeg|thumb|right|''RMS Fenella'' pictured departing [[Douglas, Isle of Man]].]]
There was a slight delay in the construction of ''Fenella'', due to a misunderstanding about the construction of her sleeping accommodation. The Isle of Man Weekly Advertising Circular described her as:
{{Quotation|''"A handsomely modest twin-screw steamer, with a long poop deck and complete arrangements made for a large number of passengers, either day or night. The lower saloon is also fitted complete for passengers, ladies’ retiring rooms with every comfort being provided."''|''The Isle of Man Weekly Advertising.'' Tuesday 14 June 1881.<ref name="auto"/>}}

Following her fitting out and [[Sea trial|Sea Trials]], ''Fenella'' arrived at her home port, [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]], under the command of [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Gibson on Saturday 9 July 1881, and then proceeded on a trial run between [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] and [[Maughold Head]].<ref>The Isle of Man Weekly Advertising Circular. Tuesday 12 July 1881.</ref>

==Service life==
''Fenella'' served with the Steam Packet fleet for 48 years, including serving the Island during the [[First World War]]. At least one mercantile authority considers that from a steamship development viewpoint, the ''Fenella'' was the most interesting vessel built for the company since the first vessel, {{ship||Mona's Isle|1830|2}}, in 1830.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022|reason=Where did which "mercantile authority" say what?}}
[[File:Fenella..JPG|thumb|left|''Fenella''.]]
Her work demonstrated that high steam pressure with compound engines, having a higher piston speed than would have been practical in a [[paddle steamer]], gave her greater economy in performance.

Amongst ''Fenella’s'' first operational duties, was a special excursion to the [[River Clyde]], departing Douglas for Greenock on Thursday 14 July.<ref>''Mona’s Herald''. Wednesday 13 July 1881.</ref> As well as this, the ''Fenella'', along with her sister [[SS Tynwald (1866)|''Tynwald,'']] was employed in a series of round-the-[[Isle of Man|island]] summer cruises.<ref>The Isle of Man Examiner. Saturday 13 August 1881.</ref>
On Tuesday 16 August 1881 the steamer ''Princess Royal'' broke down to the northeast of the [[Isle of Man]] whilst making passage between [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] and [[Port Glasgow|Glasgow]]. She was taken under tow to [[Ramsey Bay]], and eventually her passengers and luggage were transferred to the ''Fenella'', which was en route form [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] to [[Greenock|Glasgow]].<ref>The Mona’s Herald. Wednesday 17 August 1881.</ref>

''Fenella’s'' introduction into winter service proved popular with passengers as she established her reputation as a fine and reliable sea boat.<ref>Mona’s Herald. Wednesday 1 February 1882.</ref>

On Tuesday 7 November 1882, the ''Fenella'' recorded the fastest time for passage between [[Whitehaven]] and [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]], sailing from pier to pier in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes.<ref>Mona’s Herald. Wednesday 15 November 1882.</ref>

A mixture of easterly storms in the [[Irish Sea]], which hampered operations from [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]], combined with fog in the [[River Mersey]] during early January 1883, resulted in severe disruption. The ''Fenella'' departed [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]] at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|09:00 hrs]] on the morning of Saturday 7 January, arriving alongside the [[Pier Head#Isle of Man Ferry|Prince’s Landing Stage]] at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|13:00 hrs]] the following day, resulting in a time of 28 hours at sea.

On Friday 19 January 1883, the ''Fenella'' took the [[SS Ellan Vannin (1860)|''Mona’s Isle'']] under tow to [[Barrow-in-Furness|Barrow]] in order for her to undergo her rebuild. Following her conversion, ''Mona’s Isle'' rejoined the fleet under her new name, ''Ellan Vannin''.<ref>The Manx Sun. Saturday 20 January 1883.</ref>

''Fenella'' was overhauled in 1894 and a full electric light system fitted—56 lights in all. The installation was carried out by J. W. Holmes of [[Liverpool]], who also installed electric lighting in ''Fenella's'' younger sister  {{SS|Peveril|1884|2}}, at the same time. The cost of the work for the two vessels was £505.

Primarily a [[cargo ship]], intended to do passenger runs as a relief service in winter, it could possibly be claimed that she worked harder than any other of the company's ships in her day. She served on every route the Steam Packet Company then operated, including the [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]] – [[Belfast]] run, one of a number no longer operated. ''Fenella'' also operated numerous sailings to the [[Isle of Man]] from [[Whitehaven]].

On one occasion she made six round trips between [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] and [[Liverpool]] and then took troops to [[Dún Laoghaire|Kingstown]], all in three days.

On Saturday 6 June 1896, a new [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats#History of Lifeboats|lifeboat]] was acquired by [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], replacing the previous one which had been destroyed in [[Douglas Harbour]] during a [[Gale|south-easterly gale]] on the night of Saturday 12 January 1895.<ref>''Mona's Herald'' 13 June 1896</ref><ref>''Isle of Man Times.'' Tuesday 15 January 1895.</ref>
The new [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats#History of Lifeboats|lifeboat]] shared the same name as the previous one: ''Civil Service, No. 6.'' 
Built by Messers Rutherford of [[Birkenhead]], she was towed across to the [[Isle of Man]] by the ''Fenella.''
[[File:Tynwald Day Excursion to Liverpool..png|thumb|right|Advertisement for a [[Tynwald Day]] Excursion to Liverpool.]]

===Mail and cargo===
''Fenella'' was designed to carry a mixture of passengers and cargo.
Her designation as a [[Royal Mail Ship]] (RMS) indicated that she carried mail under contract with the [[Royal Mail]].
A specified area was allocated for the storage of letters, parcels and specie ([[bullion]], coins and other valuables).
In addition, there was a considerable quantity of regular cargo, ranging from furniture to foodstuffs and even motor cars.

During early March 1900, there were several rumours spread throughout the [[Isle of Man]] concerning the possibility of a banking crisis, which ultimately led to a [[Bank run|run on the Island’s banks]].<ref name="Referencei">The Isle of Man Examiner. Saturday 17 March 1900</ref>
What amounted to panic spread, with depositors all wishing to withdraw their money in gold. These requests were met; however, the gold had to be despatched from Douglas, and reserves were heavily called upon.<ref name="ReferenceE"/>
The ''Fenella'' was required to sail for Liverpool, and returned to the island early in the hours of Friday 16 March, with [[Bullion|gold bullion]] totalling £200,000 on board.<ref name="Referencei"/>

==War service==
Although not requisitioned for war service, ''Fenella'', together with the {{SS|Tynwald|1891|2}}, shared the [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]]–[[Liverpool]] route throughout the First World War. Even though she was not directly involved in the war, ''Fenella'' had a number of close encounters with floating [[Naval mine|mine]]s but was never hit; the [[minesweeper (ship)|minesweepers]] worked day and night to keep the approaches to [[Liverpool]] open, and although there were casualties, they were relatively few.

''Fenella's'' first wartime task was to transport 200 [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|reservists]] from the Isle of Man to Liverpool on the night of 7 August 1914.<ref>''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 8 August 1914.</ref>

A strike by dockers at [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] in February 1915 required the unloading of cargo from the ''Fenella'' to be undertaken by members of the Armed Forces. She was again the centre of an industrial dispute in December 1917, when dockers at [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]], members of the Workers Union, refused to work with non-union dockers.<ref>''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 14 December 1917.</ref>

==Incidents==
''Fenella'' served the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] for 48 years. Although considered reliable, her long life was not without incident.

*In the early hours of Friday 27 January 1882, whilst making passage from [[Port Glasgow|Glasgow]] to [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]], the ''Fenella'' was involved in a collision with the steamer ''Peri''.<ref name="auto1">''The Mona’s Herald''. Wednesday 1 February 1882.</ref> The ''Peri'' was a wooden screw steamer of {{GRT|100|disp=long}}. She was registered in [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], and was en route from Abergelly to [[Port Glasgow|Glasgow]] with a cargo of limestone.<ref name="auto1"/> At a position to the east of [[Maughold Head]], the ''Peri'' struck the ''Fenella'' [[Glossary of nautical terms (A-L)#midships|amidships]]. Whilst causing minimal damage to the ''Fenella'', the ''Peri'' sustained a significant level of damage and made immediately for [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]]. The ''Fenella'' escorted the ''Peri'' into [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]].<ref name="auto1"/>

===Menai Straights Incident===
In September 1884 ''Fenella'' was involved in an incident in the [[Menai Strait]], [[Anglesey]], which resulted in a protracted and complicated [[lawsuit]]. This involved the owners of the steamer ''Satanella'', who laid claims for [[Marine salvage|salvage services]] which were rendered as a result of the incident.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Manx Sun''. Saturday 13 December 1884</ref>

On Tuesday 9 September 1884, ''Fenella'' departed [[Douglas, Isle of Man]], on an excursion bound for the [[Menai Bridge]]. Under the command of her [[Master mariner|master]], [[Sea captain|Captain]] James Mylchreest, she had 200 excursionists embarked,<ref name="ReferenceB">''The Manx Sun''. Saturday 13 September 1884</ref> and reached the Menai Bridge at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|15:00 hrs]], where she disembarked her passengers. The ''Bonnie Princess'' then arrived from [[Liverpool]]<ref name="ReferenceB"/> and so the ''Fenella'' cast off the [[Floating dock (jetty)|pontoon]] and proceeded to swing prior to coming to anchor in the part of the straights known as the Swellies. During the course of executing this manoeuvre, ''Fenella''′s [[Port and starboard#Starboard|starboard]] [[bilge]] struck the Half Tide Rock, where she grounded, and water began to enter the vessel. On realising ''Fenella''′s plight, Captain Mylchreest ordered her port anchor to be lowered and a [[hawser]] was got out from her starboard bow and made fast ashore. [[Depth sounding#Sounding|Soundings]] were then taken which showed a depth of 10 feet (3 metres) on the [[Port and starboard#Starboard|starboard quarter]], four [[fathom]]s (24 feet; 7.3 metres) on the [[Port and starboard#Port (left)|port quarter]] and seven [[fathom]]s (42 feet; 12.8 metres) on either side of the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge.]] The [[sluice]]s were closed and two of ''Fenella''′s lifeboats were lowered into the water.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The tide continued to ebb, causing ''Fenella'' to slip and heel over to port, exposing the damage incurred. Captain Mylchreest and his officers inspected the damage and found that a gash had been inflicted on her starboard side that was 10 inches (25.4&nbsp;cm) long and 1 inch (2.54&nbsp;cm)  wide. The ship's carpenter managed to wedge and plaster the damage with clay so that it was rendered watertight.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Two other holes were subsequently discovered on the port side, one seven inches (17.8&nbsp;cm) long and 1 inch (2.54&nbsp;cm) wide and the other 15 inches (38.1&nbsp;cm) long and 1 inch (2.54&nbsp;cm) wide, which led to the engine room and aft hold respectively. ''Fenella''′s master engaged the services of a [[Maritime pilot|pilot]] in order to assist with the situation, and at 19:00 hours ''Satanella'' arrived at the scene.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

''Satanella'' was a screw-powered [[Thames steamers#Pleasure steamers|pleasure steamer]] of {{GRT|106|disp=long}}. She was operated by the Liverpool, Llandudno and Welsh Coast Steamship Company and owned by Earnest Latham of [[Liverpool]]. ''Satanella'' had a crew of seven, who were under the command of her master, Captain William Thomas, and was in the process of ferrying passengers between [[Caernarfon]] and [[Beaumaris]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Following discussion between the two masters, it was agreed that the ''Satanella'' should take the ''Fenella'' under tow when she floated and to proceed to the beach. For this, a consideration of £4 was agreed and this amount was to be paid whether the operation was successful or not.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
As the tide flowed, the ''Fenella'' gradually righted herself and subsequently floated, at which time the ''Satanella'' was signaled to come alongside, which she duly did, drawing up on ''Fenella's'' port side and made fast. At [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|23:00 hrs]], the ''Satanella'' cast off and the ''Fenella'' swung to her anchor. After about ten minutes ''Fenella'' raised and stowed her anchor and the ''Satanella'' commenced the tow.
When the vessels were athwart the stream, the ''Satanella'' attempted to tow the ''Fenella'' to the [[Anglesey]] side of the Straights. However, Capt. Mylchreest had reportedly signaled for the tow to be to the [[Caernarfon]] shore, as the [[Tide#Tidal constituents|ebb tide]] was canting the ''Fenella's'' head to the northward.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Captain Thomas, however, continued to make for the Anglesey shore, which brought the ''Fenella'' into a dangerous situation as the ''Prince Arthur'' was laying alongside the Menai Bridge Pontoon. The pilot on board the ''Fenella'' signaled to the ''Satanella'' to cast off the tow rope, which was carried out, and the rope was hauled back on board the ''Fenella''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The collision, however, could not be avoided, and ''Fenella'' collided with ''Prince Arthur'', causing damage, and ''Fenella'' thereupon secured alongside ''Prince Arthur''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

During the course of this, the ''Satanella'' had got herself into a dangerous position behind the pontoon, but after approximately thirty minutes she managed again to get a line to the ''Fenella'' and proceeded to take her under tow towards the Caernarfon shore.

On coming close to the Caernarfon shore, the ''Fenella'' appeared to be at risk of sinking, and the ''Satanella'' was signaled to continue towing her further along the shore until a more suitable area could be found for [[Beaching (nautical)|beaching]]. ''Fenella'' subsequently was beached at 01:30 hours on the morning of 10 September. ''Satanella'' then stood by after ''Fenella'' had grounded, to prevent ''Fenella'' from floating up again.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Just before the ''Satanella'' departed, Captain Mylchreest offered Captain Thomas the £4 as agreed. Captain Thomas declined the offer, stating that the operation had been much more difficult and taken longer than agreed, and that the matter should be settled between the respective owners.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

When word of the ''Fenella''′s plight reached the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company′s headquarters in Douglas, {{SS|Tynwald|1866|6}} was despatched to bring back ''Fenella''′s passengers.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> ''Tynwald'' departed Douglas at 20:00 hours, while the passengers were transported by a special train from the bridge to [[Holyhead]], where they were embarked on ''Tynwald'' and reached [[Douglas Harbour]] in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 10 September.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

===Lawsuit===

A [[lawsuit]] subsequently was filed on behalf of Earnest Latham against the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and the hearing was held at the [[High Court of Justice]] [[Admiralty court|(Admiralty Division)]] on Monday, 8 December 1884. Presiding were Mr. Justice Butt and Captains Weller and Barlow [[Trinity House|(Trinity House Masters)]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> What the court had to decide was whether ''Satanella'' had rendered by its actions an act of [[Marine salvage|salvage]], or, as was the argument in the case of the [[Defendant|defence]], that she had merely engaged in assistance to ''Fenella'' by giving her a tow. Appearing for the [[plaintiff]] were Mr. Myburgh [[Queen's Counsel|Q.C.]] and Mr. Rutherford, while appearing for the defendant were Dr. Phillimore [[Queen's Counsel|Q.C.]] and Mr. Bucknill.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Prior to commencement of the hearing, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company again made the offer of £4 to the plaintiff, in respect of the bargain struck, prior to the assistance rendered. The offer was refused.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

For the purpose of [[Marine salvage#Law|Marine Salvage Law]], the value of the ''Fenella'' as per the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company at the time of towage was given as £15,899.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Dr. Phillimore asserted that at the time of the incident the water was smooth and the wind was moderate. At no time, he continued, was the ''Fenella'' at risk of sinking during the entire incident, and following her [[Beaching (nautical)|beaching]] the ''Fenella'' had floated at every subsequent high tide. She was fitted with [[Compartment (ship)#Doors|watertight doors]] and the [[Bulkhead (partition)|bulkheads]], which could be shored if necessary, showed no signs of straining or leakage. The fires of ''Fenella'' had been "drawn" before any agreement had been made between the masters of the two vessels and were not lighted before ''Fenella'' was [[Beaching (nautical)|beached.]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Dr. Phillimore stated that the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company denied each and every one of the allegations made in the statement of claim, and that the defendants alleged that the services rendered were not salvage services but towage only, and in compliance with the contract agreed between the respective masters of the two vessels.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He concluded by stating that the defendants had brought to the Court the sum of £200 which they intended to lodge before the Court, and the sum of which should be more than adequate in satisfying the plaintiff′s alleged claim.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. Myburgh Q.C. in his opening statement asserted that the value of ''Fenella'' was not £15,899 as the defence has maintained, but a sum of £16,700.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Captain William Thomas was then called on behalf of the plaintiff, who testified that he was en route from Caernarfon to Beaumaris when he saw ''Fenella,'' which was stranded on the Half Tide Rock. Captain Thomas stated that there were three pilot districts for the [[Menai Strait|Menai Straights]], and that he held a certificate for two of them, but not for the particular part where ''Fenella'' was aground.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> According to Capt. Thomas, at this time the ''Fenella'' had no steam and would therefore be in a perilous situation when the tide made, as she would be totally unmanoeuvreable.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Captain Thomas further stated that when ''Fenella'' first came off the rocks, her master wanted to beach her on the shore above the George Hotel, and that the appearance of ''Fenella'' suggested that she was taking in water, adding to the seriousness of the situation.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He continued by saying that on the day in question there was a particularly big tide of {{convert|19|ft}} (the highest spring tide being {{convert|20|ft}}), and the tide would run at about {{convert|7|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Having berthed ''Satanella'' alongside the landing stage, Capt. Thomas said he took a small boat to the ''Fenella,'' together with Mr. Hughes (agent for the Liverpool, Llandudno and Welsh Coast Steamship Company) and a [[Trinity House|Trinity pilot]].[[File:Fenella pictured aground at the Menai Bridge (1884).JPG|thumb|left|''Fenella'' pictured aground at the [[Menai Bridge]], 9 September 1884.]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
He said that when they reached the Half Tide Rock they found the ''Fenella'' on her port side and her [[stern]] very much higher than her head. At this time the tide had begun to make and water had reached the [[keel]] of her forward end, with her [[stern]] about {{convert|12|ft}} above the water. Capt. Thomas stated that Capt. Mylchreest then made himself known, and Capt. Thomas enquired as to whether they would require assistance at high water.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Capt. Thomas was then asked by Mr. Myburgh Q.C. as to what reply he received. Capt. Thomas replied that initially Capt. Mylchreest was unsure as to whether he would require assistance. He (Capt. Mylchreest) was of the opinion that the ''Fenella'' would float on the tide and that she would swing to her anchor, and they "had steam" which effectively meant that the ship could use her own power. He cited that the ship was watertight and that he was certain no water would enter the ship. Capt. Mylchreest stated his bulkheads were strong and that his [[Ship floodability|watertight doors]] (sluices) were all lowered.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Capt. Thomas then stated that the straights were narrow, and there was a high risk of the ''Fenella'' dragging her anchor, and he could lend assistance to help turning the ''Fenella's'' head around as she swung on her anchor. Capt. Thomas continued that Capt. Mylchreest said he would accept the offer and that he would also require assistance in beaching the ''Fenella'' between the two [[Pier#Working piers|piers]] on the Anglesey shore. Capt. Mylchreest requested a price for performing such an undertaking, and Capt. Thomas asserted that he would perform the job for £4.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The weather was calm, and at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|22:00 hrs]] the ''Satanella'' made fast alongside the ''Fenella.'' Under further [[Cross-examination|cross-examination]] from Mr. Myburgh [[Queen's Counsel|Q.C.]], Capt. Thomas stated that he advised Capt. Mylchreest to [[Slip Anchor|slip anchor]]; however, Capt. Mylchreest stated that he ''"did not have steam,"'' and this was the first intimation from Capt. Mylchreest that in fact the ''Fenella'' did not have steam.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Capt. Thomas continued, that after twenty minutes the ''Fenella'' came off the rock but the area where Capt. Mylchreest wanted to take her was particularly perilous, more so due to the fact that the ''Fenella'' did not have steam and it would therefore fall on the ''Satanella'' to position both vessels into the small bay between the piers; a hazardous area peppered with rocks and boulders, and where there were night rafts loaded with timber moored.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> On his (Capt. Thomas's) strong advice, Capt. Mylchreest agreed that the area was too treacherous and decided a safer option would be to beach the ''Fenella'' on the shore at the George Hotel. Capt. Thomas said he could not remember anyone saying that the ''Fenella'' was taking in water at that time, but he asserted that from her position in the water it was obvious that she was.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Capt. Thomas claimed that after his discussion with Capt. Mylchreest his initial orders were to take the ''Fenella'' to the north-east of the George Hotel, which he proceeded to do. However, he then claimed he received counter orders to take her to the Anglesey shore astern of the ''Prince Arthur''. Capt. Thomas stated that consequently they got caught in a strong counter current which caused the ''Fenella'' to start drifting down towards the ''Prince Arthur,'' at which time he received the order to let go the tow rope and consequently the ''Fenella'' struck the ''Prince Arthur.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Capt. Thomas said the strong current was causing the ''Satanella'' problems, as she became embroiled at the far end of the pier and ended up striking several of the barges and a [[barque]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Capt. Thomas continued, that after about half an hour they managed to get back into a position to lend further assistance, and it was then he heard several voices call that they (the ''Fenella'') were sinking fast.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He asserted that this call came from several voices, and although it was dark, he could see that the ''Fenella'' was deeply immersed, especially aft, and that the ''Satanella'' made fast as soon as possible.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Again Capt. Thomas testified that he advised Capt. Mylchreest that they should make for the Bangor Flats, but again Capt. Mylchreest gave orders to proceed to the George Hotel, an order which Capt. Thomas duly carried out, only to then receive further orders to proceed to the Bangor Flats.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. Myburgh then enquired of Capt. Thomas as to whether the Bangor Flats were the only safe place to take the ''Fenella'', to which Capt. Thomas replied it was.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Capt. Thomas continued that they finally reached the Bangor Flats and the ''Fenella'' beached stern first. Following this, the ''Satanella'' stayed on station because the current had begun to change.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Just before he departed, Capt. Thomas said he went on board the ''Fenella'', as he wished to tell her master that he could render no further service.

Mr. Myburgh then asked Capt. Thomas of what condition he found the ''Fenella'' to be in. Capt. Thomas answered that she was deeply immersed, with water washing over the main deck. However, he stated that he did not look down into her engine room.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. Myburgh then asked Capt. Thomas, that whether he thought in his professional opinion, that in her state, the ''Fenella'' could have continued to float; to which Capt. Thomas replied, "No. She would have gone over into [[Fathom#British fathom|five fathoms]] at low water."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Under cross-examination from Dr. Phillimore, Capt. Thomas was asked whether in fact Capt. Mylchreest had said that it was his (Capt. Thomas's) decision to render assistance to the ''Fenella,'' to which Capt. Thomas replied, "No."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Dr. Phillimore continued, that did he think in his (Capt. Thomas's) opinion, that the subsequent tow, in which the ''Fenella'' was beached at the Bangor Flats rendered an extra service, to which Capt. Thomas replied, "Yes."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Capt. Thomas continued that Capt. Mylchreest had offered him £4 after the service was over; and that he (Capt. Thomas) had replied that £4 would not compensate him for the service rendered.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Dr. Phillimore contended that the £4 was in fact the amount agreed upon and it was not an "extra" service, but the service which Capt. Thomas had agreed to undertake.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Dr. Phillimore further argued that if Capt. Thomas was aware that the ''Fenella'' had no steam before he commenced the tow, why did he not take it upon himself to insist that the bargain was off, but in fact there was nothing said about the bargain being off until Capt. Thomas went on board the ''Fenella,'' after she had been successfully [[Beaching (nautical)|beached.]]
Dr. Phillimore concluded by asking Capt. Thomas, that had indeed the ''Satanella'' not been on hand did he agree that the ''Fenella'' could have successfully warped herself on to the Caernarfon shore and averted her sinking. Capt. Thomas replied that it may have been possible, if she managed to get a rope out, but that in his opinion she would have [[Shipwrecking#Instability and foundering|foundered.]]<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Capt. Thomas concluded by saying that when the bargain was made he was assured the ''Fenella'' had steam up, and that water would be kept out, and that he had no idea that he would have to tow a vessel without steam, with two holes in her and full of water when he made the bargain.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. William Burns, station master and chief boatman of the [[Coastguard]] at [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]]; stated that he was on board the ''Statanella'' when the towing began, and that the ''Satanella'' was ordered to tow towards the George Hotel on the [[Caernarfonshire]] side.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The ''Satanella'' began to tow, but her head canted round to the southward and eastward.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The Pilot on board the ''Fenella'' then told the ''Satanella'' to tow the ''Fenella'' below the George Hotel, which was obeyed, and the ''Satanella'' took the tow towards the [[Anglesey]] shore.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Mr. Burns also stated that heard no cries that the "''Fenella'' was sinking."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. John Jeffries, commissioned boatman in the [[Coastguard]]  confirmed the evidence of Mr. Burns.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. William Bell, [[Chief Engineer|chief engineer]] of the ''Fenella'', then took the stand. He stated that when the ''Fenella'' struck the Half Tide Rock, he tried to back her off, but finding he could not he ''”drew”'' his fires. He closed the watertight door in the engine room, and stayed at his station until the fires went out.
Bell then left the vessel and went on board again after about half an hour. He continued that it would have taken roughly an hour to make steam and when the tide began to make water did start to enter the ''Fenella'' in the region of the [[Fire room|stoke hold]], but he did nothing to stop it. Bell then stated that the water was also in the after compartment.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Bell was then asked whether he received any order to get up steam, to which he replied, "No."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Roberts, a boatman from Bangor, then gave his evidence. He asserted that when the ''Fenella'' floated off the rock and the ''Satanella'' began the tow the ''Fenella'' went head to the southward, and then as she (the ''Fenella'') had no power her head was canted round. She then went northward against the ''Prince Arthur.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Roberts also attested that he heard no shouting from the ''Fenella.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

[[Chief mate|First Officer]] [[SS Peveril (1884)#Sinking|William Woods]] of the ''Fenella'' then gave his evidence. He stated that the orders which were given were to beach the ''Fenella'' on the Caernarfon side near the George Hotel; but instead of that she was towed head towards the [[Menai Bridge]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> First Officer Woods then continued that orders were subsequently given from the ''Fenella'' to take the tow towards the George Hotel, and no orders were given to proceed towards the [[Anglesey]] shore.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Under cross-examination from Mr. Myburgh, First Officer Woods insisted that no orders were given to the ''Satanella'' to port her helm at any time and the tow took the ''Fenella’s'' head towards the bridge, which was the wrong way.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. Myburgh then addressed the court, summing up the evidence, and referring to decided cases in support of the case which he contended had been made out on behalf of the owners of the ''Satanella.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Dr. Phillimore, on behalf of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, then contended that the services rendered by the ''Satanella'' were no greater than those agreed to be carried out for the sum of £4.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Dr. Phillimore asserted that Capt. Thomas had admitted that a great deal had been done for the £4 and it was a hard bargain. The plaintiffs may have had the £200 which had been offered, but they chose not to.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Dr. Phillimore then cited various agencies that supported his assertion that the services rendered were towage services, not salvage services, nor even a towage-salvage service, that the evidence showed that the ''Fenella'' could have been warped off and beached without the assistance of the ''Satanella,'' and it was not represented to Capt. Thomas that the ''Fenella'' was not making water, or that she would use her own steam.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

At the conclusion of Dr. Phillimore’s address, Mr. Justice Butt gave his judgement.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

He stated that the reason for the ''Fenella'' becoming stranded on the Half Tide Rock was not in dispute, and added that there was a serious risk to the vessel.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
The course of events had brought Capt. Mylchreest and Capt. Thomas together and there was undoubtedly an agreement made between the two gentlemen for rendering some services, which although not described in exactly the same way by the pleadings of the respective parties, were services which he had cause to find were substantially towage services rendered by the ''Satanella'' to the ''Fenella.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

That Capt. Thomas had sworn that it was expressly stated to him at the time, that the ''Fenella'' had use of her own engines and her own steam; but that assertion was flatly denied by the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]], and it was difficult to decide which of those two accounts was the correct one.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
However, given the comparison in size between the two vessels it would be fair to assume that Capt. Thomas would expect the ''Fenella'' to be able to assist the ''Satanella'' during the course of the action, by producing assistance by way of power, and that he was now of the opinion that it was not the intention of Capt. Mylchreest to assist by way of having steam and developing her own power by way of the fact that the ''Fenella'' was taking in water so fast that it would be almost impossible to get steam in her boilers because when she floated it was found that the [[Fire room|stoke hold]] was full of water as well as the after hold.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

That the fact was clear, in the situation which developed, that a state of a consideration of £4 could not be upheld; and therefore the question arose of what sort of payment would be considered fair for the services rendered.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Mr. Justice Butt continued that there were conflicting accounts of the orders delivered from the ''Fenella'' to the ''Satanella,'' and that there could have been a mistake or misconception of what passed between the [[Master mariner|Masters]] of the two ships, and stated that there appeared to be no evidence to suggest any misconduct on behalf of the crew of the ''Satanella'' and the fact was clear that by lending assistance the crew of the ''Satanella'' had put themselves in a position of considerable danger, and that in their task the crew had performed manfully.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

That there was also no dispute that when the ''Fenella'' was beached that her after hold and [[Fire room|stoke hold]] were filled with water and that it was highly probable that the ''Fenella'' may well have sunk had it not been for the assistance given by the ''Satanella.''<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Mr. Justice Butt concluded by stating that the £200 lodged before the Court by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company could not be considered as adequate recompense, and that he was awarding £300 in favour of the owners of the ''Satanella,'' plus costs.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Following initial repairs the ''Fenella'' then underwent more comprehensive repair work at Messrs Jack & Co, of [[Liverpool]].<ref name="The Manx Sun Saturday, 04.10.1884">''The Manx Sun'', Saturday, 04.10 1884</ref>

She returned to service on Monday 29 September, when she left Liverpool at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|06:00 hrs]] for the sailing to [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]]. Following her return to service, ''Fenella'' was placed on the [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey Station]].<ref name="The Manx Sun Saturday, 04.10.1884"/>

===Other incidents===

*On Saturday 8 November 1884 a serious accident occurred on board the ''Fenella,'' as she made passage from [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] to [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool.]] The weather for the passage was very stormy, and her decks were frequently swept by the sea. On one occasion, an elderly passenger, John Brown, of [[Withington]], [[Manchester]], was struck by the sea and knocked against the side railings of the vessel, with the result that one of his legs was broken.<ref name="The Manx Sun 1884">The Manx Sun. Saturday 15 November 1884.</ref> [[First aid]] was administered, and he was transferred to a cabin until the ''Fenella'' reached [[Liverpool]]. All the passengers, except Mr. Brown, were landed at the [[Pier Head#Landing stages|Princes Landing Stage]], and then the ''Fenella'' proceeded to the [[Queen's Dock, Port of Liverpool|Queen’s Half-tide Dock]], where he was conveyed to an ambulance, and taken to the Northern Hospital. Also during the course of the passage, a young man was knocked against the side of the vessel, and received a severe blow to the head.<ref name="The Manx Sun 1884"/>
*On Saturday 10 May 1890 ''Fenella'' departed [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|09:00 hrs]] bound for [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]]. As she was approaching Ramsey, one of her [[crankshaft]]s suffered a mechanical failure, and thus disabled one of her engines. She completed passage under her own steam, arriving at Ramsey at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|15:00 hrs]]. The following day she made passage to [[Liverpool]] on one engine, and then underwent repairs, returning to service after 10 days.<ref>Isle of Man Times. 14 May 1890</ref>
*On the morning of Monday 10 February 1896, under the command of [[Sea captain|Captain]] Reid, ''Fenella'' departed Liverpool at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|11:30 hrs]] on a scheduled sailing to Douglas. As she passed the [[Lightvessel|Northwest light ship]], her port shaft suffered a fracture. Not being able to effect repairs, the vessel [[Heaving to#Hove to|hove to]], whilst the propeller was secured. Inbound to Liverpool, the [[SS Peveril (1884)|''Peveril'']] received a signal from her sister, explaining her plight, and was able to convey the information upon reaching port. This was relayed to Douglas via [[Electrical telegraph#Commercial telegraphy|telegraph]] to the headquarters of the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]]. ''Fenella'' continued en route to Douglas under the power of her [[Port and starboard#Starboard|starboard]] engine, arriving in Douglas at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|19:40 hrs]]. As a consequence of the damage to ''Fenella,'' the [[SS Snaefell (1876)|''Snaefell'']] was put into commission, and operated the following morning's sailing to Liverpool. The ''Fenella'' also proceeded to Liverpool the following morning, under her own power, in order for her repairs to be undertaken.<ref>Isle of Man Times. 11 Feb 1896</ref>

===Fenella Mystery===
*[[File:Passengers lost off Fenella..png|thumb|left|Headline in the ''Mona's Herald,'' Wednesday 11 January 1899, concerning the loss of three passengers from the RMS ''Fenella.'']]On Monday 2 January 1899, under the command of [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Hill, the ''Fenella'' departed [[Liverpool]] at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|11:30 hrs]] for [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]], during the course of which she encountered severe weather with winds reported to be reaching [[Tropical cyclone|Hurricane Force]] [[Beaufort scale#Modern scale|12]] resulting in a passage time of 8 hours.<ref name="ReferenceC">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 11 January 1899</ref> At a dog show which was taking place at the palace, Douglas, various rumours began to circulate when the ''Fenella'' was known to be overdue, and these increased to reports that the [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats|Douglas Lifeboat]] had been dispatched in order to meet the vessel; only for these reports to turn out to be baseless.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> On reaching [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], many passengers recounted their stories of the voyage to local newspapers. Accounts were given of people being thrown from their berths, and one lady being thrown across a cabin, sustaining cuts to her face.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> In the [[Steerage (deck)#Passenger accommodations|steerage section]] passengers were reportedly locked in to their accommodation, with some sustaining injury as fixtures such as heavy furniture became dislodged.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> 
It was reported that at the time of departure, whilst the weather was blustery, it was not sufficient for [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Hill to decide against making passage.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> The ''Fenella'' departed [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] on time and, exiting the Victoria Channel, she passed the [[Lightvessel|Bar Light Ship]], whereupon she set a course for [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]]. As the ''Fenella'' cleared to the northwest of [[Liverpool Bay]], the weather worsened, and what was reported to be ''"one of the worst storms in many years"'' developed, with the wind blowing from the [[Points of the compass#Compass point names|northwest]], creating associated [[Rain and snow mixed|sleet]] and [[Hail|hail squalls]].<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Reports stated that passengers on the deck were advised by the ship’s crew to go below due to the severity of the weather, but several passengers declined to do this, some seeking shelter on a covered seat aft of the [[Funnel (ship)|funnel.]] According to a witness, Mr. Tom Wood, two passengers returned to the deck, (Mr. John Mc Combe and a young woman, Miss Janie Clucas), who joined three men believed to be the victims, sitting on the covered seat. Wood then stated that a wave crashed over the port beam of the ''Fenella'' with such force that it swept away the seat, dispersing its occupants, with the result that Mc Combe and Miss Clucas were washed up opposite the saloon door.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Having both sustained injuries, they were taken into the saloon, where treatment was administered, and they stayed in the saloon for the remainder of the voyage.

No exact [[Witness|eyewitness]] account exists regarding the loss of the passengers, but Wood stated that he did not see anything of the other occupants again, saying that he thought they’d taken shelter in another part of the vessel, and that it never occurred to him that they may have been washed overboard.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> He further stated that this occurred at approximately [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|15:30 hrs]], and although visibility was poor it was not dark. Another passenger on board, Mr. Wightman (referred to as a ''commercial traveller''), stated during the course of an interview with the ''Mona’s Herald'' that he was on the deck at the time when the incident occurred. Wightman stated that what was referred to as the ''"ladies shelter"'' was taken by the wave, but this was at a position further [[Stern|aft]] than from where he was standing. Wightman then continued that he stayed in that sheltered part of the vessel just aft of the [[Funnel (ship)|funnel]] for the remainder of the voyage, being adequately sheltered by the funnel. Wightman further stated that when the sea came aboard the area in which he was standing was at least {{convert|1|ft}} deep in water. The wave appeared to strike further aft than where he was, and the sea ''"probably"'' fell with all its force right on the shelter, which was swept away.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>  Wightman continued that no one was ordered below until the shelter had been washed away, as the situation was then described as ''"unsafe."'' Wightman concluded by saying that, to his recollection, six people were seated on the seat when the ''Fenella'' departed [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]]; only for one person to leave after approximately 2 hours, and for the other person to leave after the announcement was made to go below.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> 
Mr. John Mc Combe, during the course of his interview, stated that after passing the Bar Lightship both he and Miss Clucas took their place in the shelter just in front of the saloon, and in the shelter there were four other persons. One of the passengers, Mc Combe said, was suffering from severe [[Seasickness|sea sickness.]] Mc Combe continued that at approximately [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|15:30 hrs]] a big wave came over from the port or windward side of the vessel and swept them all away. He stated that there was a tremendous body of water and he couldn't be certain as to whether it smashed the seat or carried it away. Mc Combe further stated that at that time he was temporarily stunned, having been struck on the head by a dislodged fixture. Two men who had been standing at the top of the saloon staircase dragged both Mc Combe and Miss Clucas in, and Mc Combe concluded by saying after the occurrence he did not see any of the other passengers which had been in the shelter again and that, contrary to reports, none of the [[Ship's company|ship’s company]] had suggested that the passengers should go below.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

Over the following days after reaching [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], initially one but subsequently three of the passengers embarked on the ''Fenella'' were discovered to be missing. These were later confirmed to be William Quayle, Frederick White and Joseph Scarrat.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

William Quayle was originally from the [[Isle of Man]]<ref name="ReferenceC"/> but at the time was residing in [[Liverpool]] where he was employed as a schoolmaster. He had spent [[Christmas]] on the island with his father and sisters but returned to Liverpool in order to seek an ''extension of leave.'' This was granted, and Quayle purchased a ticket to return to the Isle of Man on the ''Fenella''. When Quayle failed to arrive back at his father’s house that Monday night, it was assumed by the family that he had decided not to take passage as a consequence of the weather. However, on Wednesday a letter reached the house of Quayle’s father, which had been sent by Quayle’s wife in Liverpool; who had become anxious when she had not heard from him.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Quayle’s sister decided to open the letter, which was indeed from his wife, inquiring why she had not heard from him and enquiring if there was anything wrong with him. Quayle’s sister contacted Capt. Keig, ([[Master mariner|Master]] of the [[SS Empress Queen|''Empress Queen'']] and a family relative), to see if he could find any information about her brother. [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Keig subsequently found that there was luggage belonging to William Quayle which remained unclaimed at the Douglas offices.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> A press representative went to the Steam Packet Company offices for an official statement but could obtain none. This led to further rumour circulating, and subsequently leading to the discovery of another two missing persons.[[File:Fenella Disaster (I).png|thumb|right|''Isle of Man Examiner'' Headline, regarding the loss of the three passengers.]]

Both White and Scarrat were what was described at that time as ''commercial travellers'' and were from [[Warrington]] and [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] respectively.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> In the case of White, the alarm was raised when he failed to attend a meeting as scheduled. Another salesman who was staying at the Athol Hotel reported to the hotel manager that White had failed to attend the meeting, and the manager then became suspicious when White had not taken the room which had been booked for him, and that luggage belonging to him had arrived at the hotel.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> A similar situation applied to Scarrat, who was staying at the nearby Villiers Hotel.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> In early March the body of William Quayle was picked up off [[Fleetwood]] by the crew of a fishing boat.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> On 7 March the badly decomposed body of a man, subsequently identified as that of Frederick White, was also picked up by the crew of a Fleetwood fishing boat.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> The body of Joseph Scarrat was never officially found. However, on 21 February, the trunk of a man was washed ashore at [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]],<ref name="ReferenceC"/> but the state of [[decomposition]] was such that it could not be identified. It could have been that of Scarrat, or a Douglas publican, George Warner, who had been missing since the previous December.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

*On Saturday 27 May 1899, ''Fenella'' was tasked to operate a sailing between [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]] and [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] to transport troops of the 8th Lancashire Artillery Volunteers [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|(TA)]], for their return from a summer camp.<ref name="ReferenceD">''The Mona's Herald.'' Saturday 3 June 1899</ref> Departing at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|11:00 hrs]],<ref name="ReferenceD"/> the ''Fenella'' was passing to the south of the [[Calf of Man]], when a bracket on one of her [[Drive shaft#Marine drive shafts|propeller shafts]] broke, and she was consequently left with only one of her two [[Propeller#Screw propellers|screws]] available for propulsion.<ref name="ReferenceD"/> This would have meant arriving at [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] approximately 3 hours behind schedule.<ref name="ReferenceD"/>[[Sea captain|Capt.]] Faragher, therefore, decided to divert the ''Fenella'' to [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] so that the soldiers could be transferred to another vessel.<ref name="ReferenceD"/> But the [[SS Tynwald (1891)|''Tynwald'']] had already departed [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], when the partly disabled ''Fenella'' arrived off [[Douglas Head]].<ref name="ReferenceD"/> The ''Fenella'' managed to attract the [[SS Tynwald (1891)|''Tynwald's'']] attention, by sounding her [[Steam Whistle|whistle]] and running various [[International maritime signal flags|flag signals]] from her masts.<ref name="ReferenceD"/> Consequently, the [[SS Tynwald (1891)|''Tynwald'']] returned to [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], whereupon the soldiers were transferred, and the ''Tynwald'' departed for Liverpool.<ref name="ReferenceD"/>
*On Wednesday 21 November 1900, the ''Fenella'' departed [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|09:00 hrs]] on a regular service to [[Liverpool]].<ref name="ReferenceE">''The Manx Sun.'' Saturday 24 November 1900</ref> As ''Fenella'' cleared to the [[Points of the compass#Compass point names|southeast]] of [[Douglas Harbour#Hazards|Douglas Bay]] she developed problems with her discharge pipe, as a consequence of the condenser being choked.<ref name="ReferenceE"/> ''Fenella'' had been moored in the outer harbour at [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] the previous night, and refuse discharges from a [[hopper barge]] had been washed up by the incoming tide, choking the pipe.<ref name="ReferenceE"/> The problem was quickly rectified, and the ''Fenella'' returned to service.<ref name="ReferenceE"/>
*Several weeks later on Christmas Day 1900, whilst making passage from [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] to [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]], ''Fenella’s'' discharge pipes again became clogged. This required to ''Fenella'' to come to anchor to the [[Points of the compass#Compass point names|northwest]] of the Bar Lightship, whilst the situation was dealt with, delaying her arrival into Douglas by two hours.<ref>''The Manx Sun''. 29 December 1900</ref>
*In October 1901 the ''Fenella'' again went [[Ship grounding|aground]], this time in [[Luce Bay]].<ref name="ReferenceF">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 2 October 1901</ref> On Tuesday 1 October 1901 ''Fenella'' departed Douglas in [[Visibility#Very low visibility|low visibility]] bound for [[Glasgow]].<ref name="ReferenceF"/> Under the command of [[Sea captain|Captain]] Hodgson, she had some 200 passengers embarked, many of them [[Manx people|Manx]] who were travelling to attend the [[Glasgow International Exhibition (1901)|Glasgow International Exhibition.]]<ref name="ReferenceF"/> The [[fog]] thickened, and at approximately [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|10:00 hrs]] the ''Fenella'' went aground in a sandy cove in Luce Bay, known as Maryport, a few miles inside the point of the [[Mull of Galloway]].<ref name="ReferenceF"/> The vessel could not be backed off, as the tide had begun to ebb and this consequently left the ''Fenella'' aground. However, no damage had been incurred during the [[Ship grounding|grounding]], and the ''Fenella'' was re-floated on the following morning’s tide, when she then proceeded to [[Drummore#Drummore Harbour|Drummore Harbour.]]<ref name="ReferenceF"/>
* On Tuesday 12 November 1901, shortly after departing [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] en route to [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]], the ''Fenella'' went to the assistance of a small boat which turned out to be the ''Primrose'' of [[Whitehaven]], [[Cumberland]], and which was in difficulty, having lost her mast.<ref name="ReferenceG">''The Peel City Guardian.'' Saturday 14 June 1902</ref> There was a [[gale]] blowing,<ref name="ReferenceG"/> which meant that the ''Fenella'' could not lower one of her own boats in order to render assistance,<ref name="ReferenceG"/> and therefore the three men aboard the ''Primrose'' (the skipper, his son and a deck hand),<ref name="ReferenceG"/> had to be literally picked off the drifting vessel. The ''Fenella's'' [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Thomas Roberts, is recorded as having exhibited fine [[Seamanship#Ship-handling and Pilotage|seamanship]] in his handling of the ''Fenella,''<ref name="ReferenceG"/> and following the rescue the three crew members of the ''Primrose'' were taken to [[Liverpool]].<ref name="ReferenceG"/>
* On Wednesday 5 December 1906, ''Fenella'' sustained damage as she made passage from [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] to [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]]. In a north-westerly storm with associated squalls, damage was sustained to parts of the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]], washing away the [[binnacle]] on the bridge and breaking glass in the front part of the [[Pilothouse|wheelhouse]]. No one was injured, and the damage did not disable the vessel; however, the passage time was increased to over eight hours. Over the course of the night all damage was repaired at [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], and the ''Fenella'' resumed her schedule the following morning.
*In April 1911, what was described as the ''"mysterious death"'' of the ''Fenella''’s [[Second mate|second officer]], James Robinson, occurred in [[Liverpool]].<ref name="ReferenceH">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 12 April 1911</ref> The ''Fenella'' had docked at the [[Coburg Dock]], [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]], early in the hours of Saturday 8 April, after which the [[Ship's company|ship’s company]] retired.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> Nothing more was seen of Second Officer Robinson on board. When the crew took breakfast, the absence of [[Second mate|Second Officer]] Robinson was noted by [[Chief mate|First Officer]] Williams, who made enquiries as to Second Officer Robinson’s whereabouts.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> It was generally surmised that he had gone ashore to attend [[Mass (Roman Rite)|mass]].<ref name="ReferenceH"/> First Officer Williams went ashore at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|10:00 hrs]], and was in a dockside [[warehouse]] when a policeman approached him. The police officer informed First Officer Williams that the body of a man had been recovered from the [[River Mersey|river]], dressed in an [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] uniform, and he had been taken to the Southern Hospital.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> First Officer Williams travelled to the hospital, where he was informed that a man had been admitted having been saved from [[drowning]] in the river by the crew of a [[Flatboat|flat]],<ref name="ReferenceH"/> and that he was unconscious. [[Chief mate|First Officer]] Williams returned to the hospital three times during the day; however, [[Second mate|Second Officer]] Robinson did not regain consciousness, and subsequently died the following morning, Sunday.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> At the [[Inquest]] into his death, it was stated that Second Officer Robinson had been rescued at the [[Duke's Dock]], a considerable distance from where the ''Fenella'' was located, in the [[Coburg Dock]]; and therefore the chance that he had fallen off the ''Fenella'' was dismissed.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> The conclusion was drawn, that after attending [[Mass (Roman Rite)|mass]] Second Officer Robinson had gone for a walk along the riverside, and had accidentally fallen in.<ref name="ReferenceH"/> At the time of his death, James Robinson was aged 62, and had been in the employ of the Steam Packet for 40 years. His body was returned to [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] on board the [[SS Tynwald (1891)|''Tynwald'']], and he was subsequently buried at Douglas Borough Cemetery.<ref name="ReferenceH"/>
*On Thursday 28 August 1919, a passenger who had reportedly been suffering from [[Mental disorder|mental illness]] collapsed and died on the [[Pier Head#Landing stages|Prince’s Landing Stage]], after disembarking from the ''Fenella'' following passage from [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]].<ref name="ReferenceI">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 3 September 1919</ref> Harry Wyatt was a publican from [[Warrington]], and had been visiting the Isle of Man with his son, where they stayed at Cunningham’s Camp.<ref name="ReferenceI"/> Wyatt was reported to have become delirious and had ultimately stabbed himself.<ref name="ReferenceI"/> Following treatment from a doctor, it was decided to return Wyatt to Warrington, and both he and his 14-year-old son embarked on the ''Fenella''.<ref name="ReferenceI"/> During the course of the passage, Wyatt was again reported to have become violent, and was required to be restrained in his bunk by members of the crew.<ref name="ReferenceI"/>
*On Sunday 10 October 1920, a passenger on board the ''Fenella'' jumped into [[Ramsey, Isle of Man#Gallery|Ramsey Harbour]], and was consequently saved by the endeavours of a policeman.<ref name="ReferenceJ">''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 7 January 1921</ref> Lawrence Watson, who was described as suffering from [[Mental disorder|mental illness]],<ref name="ReferenceJ"/> jumped into the [[Harbor|harbour]] after the vessel had berthed at [[Ramsey, Isle of Man|Ramsey]], and was reported as being in imminent danger of drowning.<ref name="ReferenceJ"/> [[Constable#United Kingdom|Constable]] Edmund Brindle jumped into the harbour after Watson, and subsequently rescued him.<ref name="ReferenceJ"/> At a meeting of the [[Royal Humane Society]], at their [[Trafalgar Square]] Headquarters on 9 November 1920, it was unanimously resolved that Constable Brindle be decorated for his selfless act.<ref name="ReferenceJ"/> Constable Brindle was presented with his certificate by the Isle of Man's [[Chief constable|Chief Constable]], [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Colonel]] Madoc, at an Award Ceremony on [[New Year's Eve]], 1920.<ref name="ReferenceJ"/>
[[File:Fenella following damage in the Mersey (1923)..jpg|thumb|right|''Fenella'' pictured beached aground on the [[Bight (geography)|Tranmere Bight]], February 1923.]]
*In February 1923 the ''Fenella'' collided with the [[ocean liner]] [[Clan Line#Ships of the Clan Line|''Clan Cumming'']] in [[Visibility#Very low visibility|low visibility]] on the [[River Mersey]], sustaining damage, and was subsequently beached.<ref name="ReferenceK">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 21 February 1923</ref> The ''Fenella'' had left [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] in stormy conditions on Sunday 18 February, with passengers and a cargo of livestock.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> She arrived at the [[Pier Head#Isle of Man Ferry|Prince’s Landing Stage]] later that night, and discharged her passengers and cargo.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> Following this she proceeded to [[Anchorage (shipping)|anchor]] in the Mersey, and it was during the course of this manoeuvre that she struck the [[Stem (ship)|stem]] of the [[Clan Line]]r, ''Clan Cumming'', and sustained substantial damage to her port quarter.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> The [[Clan Line#Ships of the Clan Line|''Clan Cumming'']] was a vessel of {{GRT|4804|disp=long}} and {{convert|400|ft}} feet in length.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> She was lying at [[Anchorage (shipping)|anchor]] in the Mersey at the time of the collision, following which she sustained slight damage to her [[Stem (ship)|stem]], but was subsequently able to dock.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> Following the collision a hole was torn in the side of the ''Fenella'',<ref name="ReferenceK"/> and her [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Lee, not knowing the full extent of the damage, took the decision to [[Beaching (nautical)|beach]] the vessel on the [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] [[Bight (geography)|Bight]].<ref name="ReferenceK"/> ''Fenella’s'' crew were then taken off by the [[Mersey Docks and Harbour Company|Dock Board]] boat, ''Salvor''; however, [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Lee stayed with the vessel.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> The ''Fenella'' was inspected by the company’s Marine Superintendent Mr. J. Kelly, who supervised temporary repairs, but the findings were that the damage was considerably worse than at first thought,<ref name="ReferenceL">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 7 March 1923</ref> and the ''Fenella'' remained [[Beaching (nautical)|beached]] at [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] until the following Thursday afternoon.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> She was subsequently floated and taken to the [[Drydock|dry dock]] at [[Cammell Laird|Cammell Laird’s]] for further repairs to be undertaken.<ref name="ReferenceK"/> Following her [[Drydock|dry docking]], ''Fenella'' had her damage repaired and underwent a substantial overhaul as a result of the collision.<ref name="ReferenceL"/> According to [[Lloyd's List]],<ref name="ReferenceL"/> this repair work took six weeks and included renewal of her boliers, cylinders and steam pipes, and the making good to damage sustained to public rooms and accommodation as a consequence of them being immersed in salt water for several days.<ref name="ReferenceL"/> Damage to the [[Clan Line#Ships of the Clan Line|''Clan Cumming'']] was comparatively slight; however, she was also taken to a [[Drydock|dry dock]], where her [[Stem (ship)|stem]] plating was removed, and her twisted stem straightened.<ref name="ReferenceL"/> ''Fenella'' re-entered service on Friday 20 April.<ref>''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 20 April 1923.</ref>
*On the night of Saturday 12 January 1924, another crew member of the ''Fenella'' was involved in a fatal accident whilst the vessel was berthed in [[Coburg Dock]], [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]].<ref name="ReferenceM">''The Mona's Herald.'' Wednesday 16 January 1924</ref>  [[Seafarer's professions and ranks#Ordinary seaman|Seaman]] Robert Bridson was killed whilst making his way on board, having slipped and fallen into the water.<ref name="ReferenceM"/> At the [[Inquest]] ''Fenella's'' [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Clucas, stated that Bridson along with another sailor named Kelly, had left the ''Fenella'' shortly after she had arrived at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|20:00 hrs]] and both men returned at [[24-hour clock#Midnight 00:00 and 24:00|21:00 hrs]].<ref name="ReferenceM"/> [[Seafarer's professions and ranks#Ordinary seaman|Seaman]] Kelly on noticing that Bridson was missing raised the alarm, and all [[Ship's company|hands]] were subsequently on deck.<ref name="ReferenceM"/> Another sailor, also by the name of Bridson, lowered himself over the side of the ship on a rope, where he found the deceased lying face down on the top of the water.<ref name="ReferenceM"/> The body was recovered, and [[artificial respiration]] was carried out by the chief [[first aid]] officer of the police division,<ref name="ReferenceM"/> who had arrived on the scene, before the body was removed to the Southern Hospital.<ref name="ReferenceM"/> At the time of his death, Robert Bridson was 74 and had been employed by the steam packet for many years, being one of their oldest employees.<ref name="ReferenceM"/> He had served on the [[SS Snaefell (1910)|''Snaefell'']] during the [[Great War]]<ref name="ReferenceM"/><ref>''Isle of Man Examiner'';  Date:18 Jan 1924</ref> and was at the [[Landing at Suvla Bay]].<ref name="ReferenceM"/> Bridson and another company sailor, Mylchreest, had been invalided home before the [[SS Snaefell (1910)#War service & loss|''Snaefell'' was torpedoed.]]<ref name="ReferenceM"/>

==Disposal==
As her time in service drew to a close, ''Fenella'' continued to be an integral part of the company's operation. One of her final tasks was to inaugurate a service between the Isle of Man and [[Workington]]. However, this service commenced on Saturday 29 June 1929, a week earlier than originally planned. As a consequence of this earlier date, it was the [[SS Tynwald (1891)|''Tynwald'']]  which took the inaugural sailing, thereby replacing the ''Fenella.''<ref>''Ramsey Courier''. Thursday 4 July 1929.</ref>
Over subsequent weeks the ''Fenella'' performed tender services to the Royal Holland Line ship, ''Gelria'', when the latter called at Douglas on 15 July 1929, and ferried a company of the Boy's Brigade to the Isle of Man from [[Workington]] on Wednesday 7 August.

On Wednesday 21 August ''Fenella'' became the first [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] vessel to operate from the Irish port of [[Donaghadee]], when she brought 500 day-trip excursionists to Douglas.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner.'' Friday 23 August 1929.</ref>

In some quarters it was hoped to retain the ''Fenella'' along with the [[SS Mona's Queen (1885)|''Mona's Queen'']] so that they could form part of the forthcoming Centenary Celebrations scheduled for the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] in 1930.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner.'' Friday 12 July 1929.</ref> However, the two vessels were offered for sale at the end of August, being subsequently inspected by representatives of a [[Netherlands|Dutch]] firm of shipbrokers and also by shipbrokers from [[Ardrossan]].

''Fenella's'' final sailing in revenue service took place on Saturday 7 September, when she concluded the season's schedule between Douglas and Workington.<ref>''Isle of Man Examiner.'' Friday 13 September 1929.</ref>
[[File:Fenella's last voyage..jpg|thumb|left|''Fenella'' pictured departing [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] for the final time; Monday 9 September 1929.]][[File:Fenella's Ship's Company..jpg|thumb|right|The ship's company of the RMS ''Fenella'', pictured prior to her final voyage from Douglas, Isle of Man; Monday 9 September 1929]]
''Fenella'' left her home port Douglas, Isle of Man, for the final time on the afternoon of Monday 9 September, under the command of [[Sea captain|Capt.]] Wilfred Qualtrough, bound for [[Morpeth Dock]], [[Birkenhead]], to be laid up.
As she departed the [[Douglas Harbour|Double Corner]], it was reported that she had flags flying from her masts and received rousing [[Ship's Salute|salutes]] from her steam packet sisters and the steamer ''[[Glen Strathallan]]'', with the ''Fenella'' duly returning the compliment.

Both the ''Fenella'' and the [[SS Mona's Queen (1885)|''Mona’s Queen'']] were offered at [[English auction|auction]] by Messers C. W. Kellock at the [[Cunard Building]], [[Liverpool]], on Thursday 27 September, and it was reported that the auction was well attended.<ref name="ReferenceN">''The Ramsey Courier.'' Friday 27 September 1929</ref> 
Bidding for the ''Fenella'' commenced at £1,000, with the final bid placed at £2,290.<ref name="ReferenceN"/>

After 48 eventful years with the company, ''Fenella'' was purchased by Mr. John Cashmore, and broken up at Newport, [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]].

==Trivia==
A mystery was created six weeks on from her sale, in November 1929, when one of ''Fenella's'' [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] was washed ashore at [[Barmouth]] in [[Cardigan Bay]] following a gale.<ref name="ReferenceO">''The Isle of Man Examiner.'' Friday 15 November 1929.</ref>
Inscribed on the [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboat]] were the words ''"SS Fenella, Douglas,"'' and within the boat were several pairs of [[oilskin]]s.<ref name="ReferenceO"/>  
It transpired that as well as purchasing the ''Fenella'' at the auction, John Cashmore had also purchased the Liverpool [[Dredging#Types of dredging vessels|dredger]], the ''Brancker,''<ref name="ReferenceO"/> which was also destined for [[Ship breaking|scrapping]].<ref name="ReferenceO"/> When the ''Brancker'' had left the [[River Mersey|Mersey]] under tow from a [[Tug boat|tug]], one of the ''Fenella's'' [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] had been placed aboard her.<ref name="ReferenceO"/> During the course of the tow, the ''Brancker'' broke adrift in a gale,<ref name="ReferenceO"/> forcing the four men on board her to take to the lifeboat.<ref name="ReferenceO"/> After several hours the men were rescued by the steamer, ''City of Lyons,''<ref name="ReferenceO"/> and the lifeboat was then cast adrift, subsequently ending up being washed ashore at [[Barmouth]].<ref name="ReferenceO"/>

== Official number and code letters ==
[[Official number]]s are issued by individual flag states. They should not be confused with [[IMO ship identification number]]s. ''Fenella'' had the UK Official Number 76303 and used the [[Code letters|Code Letters]]  J C T G {{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Golf}}.

==References==
{{commons category|Fenella (ship, 1881)|''Fenella''|}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book|author=Chappell, Connery| year=1980| title=Island Lifeline| publisher=T. Stephenson & Sons Ltd| isbn=0-901314-20-X}}

{{1884 shipwrecks}}
{{1923 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenella (1881)}}
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in September 1884]]
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