The 800-year history of the Mersey ferries

3 hours ago

Jenny ColemanNorth West

News image — The Mersey Ferry, pictured in the 1970s, dates back to the 12th century

Alan Spedding/Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool 35mm slide by Alan Spedding, 1970s. Image shows vessels in the Mersey, including the ferry Woodchurch. Photo taken from Birkenhead, with the Three Graces and Albert Dock visible in background. — The Mersey Ferry, pictured in the 1970s, dates back to the 12th century

As the first new Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years takes its first public cruise we look at how river crossings have linked Liverpool and Wirral for more than 800 years.

The new £26m Royal Daffodil, built by Wirral shipbuilder Cammell Laird, was officially launched on Tuesday after a naming ceremony in Liverpool.

It replaces the decommissioned Royal Iris of the Mersey and joins the Snowdrop, also known as the Dazzle Ferry due to its vibrant design.

Regular passenger services on the Royal Daffodil are due to begin next month, continuing a tradition which started in the 12th century.

John Hepple Williams/Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool Glass lantern slide photograph of a Mersey Ferry with bow facing Pier Head, Liver Building, Cunard Building, Dock Offices, as seen from the River Mersey. — The Mersey Ferry, pictured in the 1930s, has become synonymous with Liverpool

It was Benedictine Monks, based at Birkenhead Priory, who ran the first ferry service from Birkenhead to Liverpool in 1150 AD when they would take travellers to the small fishing village of Liverpool on market days.

By 1318 a regular ferry service from Liverpool to Woodside ferry was in place and by 1330 a ferry ran between Liverpool and Seacombe.

The early services were either sailing or rowing boats and continued to run over the centuries between Liverpool and Eastham, Tranmere and later Rock Ferry.

The Royal Daffodil is a modern white ferry with a black hull and red stripe. It is on the River Mersey with a union flag at the bow and bunting across the decks. — The Royal Daffoldil features an accessible lift and USB charging points

It was in 1815 that the first steamship to operate on the Mersey was introduced. The Elizabeth operated between Liverpool and Runcorn, with a steam ferry introduced on the Tranmere route two years later.

In 1822, the paddle steamer Royal Mail began its commercial operation between Liverpool and Woodside and routes expanded to include Liverpool to Egremont, New Brighton and Monks Ferry.

Stewart Bale Collection/National Museums Liverpool Black and white glass negative of Royal Daffodil II (Mersey ferry) cruise , 1945. — The ferries, pictured here in 1945, were granted permission to use the Royal prefix by King George V

The ferries were operated by individual entrepreneurs and railway companies until the mid-19th century when local governing bodies eventually bought and operated the ferry routes.

In 1879, the Oxton, a ferry operated by the Birkenhead Corporation, was introduced and was able to transport vehicles and goods as well as passengers - but it soon faced competition when the Mersey Railway Tunnel opened in 1886.

By 1894, trains were carrying 25,000 passengers per day and the ferries were 44,000 per day.

In 1906, Wallasey Corporation introduced two Twin-Screw Steamer (TSS) ferries, the TSS Iris and the TSS Daffodil.

The vessels later became famous for their role in World War I and also took part in a raid in the harbour of Zeebrugge in 1918. In recognition of the part in the raid King George V granted permission to add the Royal prefix to their names.

The white and black Royal Daffodil on the River Mersey with the multi-colured Dazzle Ferry in the background — The Royal Daffodil and Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) offer current cross-river services

Over the years, the Mersey Ferry has become synonymous with Liverpool and after being immortalised by the Gerry and The Pacemakers in 1964 hit Ferry Cross the Mersey it has become one of the city's popular tourist attractions.

The new Royal Daffodil, built in Birkenhead, features panoramic windows, passenger lounges, an accessible lift, cycle parking and USB charging points.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said it was "an investment in keeping one of the great symbols of our region alive for another generation".

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