Royal Iris

[John Albert Evans]

Yesterday the Mersey Ferry Royal Iris was on a Manchester Ship Canal Cruise when it was involved in a collision and holed below the water line, she started to sink but all 69 passengers and 5 crew escaped unharmed I am pleased to say.
John.

[Captain Kong]

There was a report from a Bolton couple who were on it in yesterdays Bolton News paper.
It happened at Eastham by the entrance to the MS Canal. and a Dutch Dredger was there doing its job. the Ferry reported scraping its keel along something in the channel, and then taking in water, The passengers scrambled onto the deck of the Dredger. She was then moored alongside.
I guess they will write a book with movie Rights about the `adventure, "I SURVIVED THE SINKING OF THE ROYAL IRIS"
Brian

[Chris Allman]

She struck a submerged object, thought to be part of the channel bank, which damaged one of her propellers and the shaft and sprung the shaft seals which allowed the water in. There was no actual damage to the hull at all. The passengers were evacuated aboard the dredger as a precaution because of the egress of the water. She is still taking on water but has pumps on board to keep her safe and the water level manageable, until she is dry docked.