The History of Egremont
photo: Malcolm McRonald photo: J Clarkson
Egremont was built in 1952 in Dartmouth by Philip & Son Ltd and was one of the last cold riveted vessels to be built. She plied her trade as a Passenger Ferry across the River Mersey, with the certificated capacity to carry up to 700 passengers. 146ft in length, her registered tonnage was 566.
She could make up to 100 crossings between Seacombe and Liverpool in 24 hours and 34 trips between Liverpool and New Brighton in a 14 hour period.
Sea trials recorded a maximum speed of 14 knots and excellent manoeuvring abilities in even difficult conditions.
In 1975, after a long life as a Mersy Ferry, she was taken out of commission and placed on the market, but with considerable work needed on her engines, she was actually headed for the scrap yard.
The Island Cruising Club purchased Egremont in 1976, for £25,000. At nearly 150ft long she had plenty of scope for conversion to the sailing club headquarters ship you see now. She was towed to her mooring in Salcombe, minus her engines, on June 18th 1976.
The staff and members of that time began the enormous task of converting her to how she looks today.
The Upper deck had a timber deckhouse extension built, providing accommodation for 32. A dining area with seating for 66 was built on the middle deck as well as a galley to provide three meals a day.
The lower deck was converted to accommodation and the Pugwash Bar added in 1977. This was her first season for the club.
The total cost of the conversion was over £100,000 with much help from members donations and labour, grants and loans. It is estimated that the cost of the same conversion carried out in a dockyard at that time would have been more than double this figure.
Since 1977, Egremont has been the operational headquarters of the ICC and is now also home to the club offices in addition to the activities team. She can sleep 85 and retains many of her original features and looks, including her historic colours. In 2002 she merited an inclusion in the National Register of Historic Vessels of the United Kingdom.
Every 5 to 6 years Egremont is dry docked and has her hull inspected to ensure she remains sound below the waterline. She requires ongoing maintenance all year round in order that we can adhere to todays safety guidelines and that she provides a comfortable environment for our staff and members.
black & white photographs courtesy of Philip & Son Ltd, Dartmouth
Egremont has a fascinating history and we would welcome any new information or photographs. Anyone wishing to contribute can contact us by email
info@icc-salcombe.co.uk or telephone 01548 531176, we would be very interested to hear from you.
With thanks to Richard Danielson whose book, The Mighty Mersey and its Ferries, is a good source of information about the famous Mersey Ferries and their history.