Sponsors
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors
ROYAL IRIS was launched on 5 December 1951 and was the first of the new diesel electric twin-screw vessels that entered service on the Mersey and the first vessel to be specially designed for the dual purpose of cruising and ferrying.
Built by William Denny & Brothers, who built numerous iconic ships such as the QUEEN MARY and the CUTTY SARK, on 21 June 1977, the vessel carried Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as part of their Silver Jubilee celebrations.
During the 1960s, ROYAL IRIS opened her doors as a waterborne music venue. She proved to be incredibly popular and over the following years numerous iconic British bands were fortunate enough to grace her boards including The Beatles who had a run of four consecutive concerts.
At the time of registration, ROYAL IRIS was in dry dock with a full restoration planned by her present owner. Plans by the current owner were to refurbish and relaunch her as a floating nightclub were unsuccessful. She's now in very poor condition, having deteriorated after a bulkhead breach in 2018 left her half-submerged.
If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk
National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors