Isles of Scilly ferry completes final trip to Cornwall
Scillonian III ends a 49-year run on Sunday, with its replacement arriving from south-east Asia in March.
By Camila Herrera ·
On Sunday, passengers boarded a familiar vessel in St Mary’s and traveled the 37 nautical miles to Penzance in Cornwall. It was the final commercial crossing for Scillonian III, a ship that has connected the Isles of Scilly to the British mainland for nearly five decades. The journey marked the end of a service that began in 1977 and has carried residents, tourists, and researchers through spring and autumn seasons.
The vessel has a long history in the region. The first ship, simply named Scillonian, operated from 1926 to 1956. During World War II, it was fitted with guns for military transport. Its successor, Scillonian II, served for 25 years before being replaced by the current ship. Prince Charles launched Scillonian III, which has since made more than 10,000 voyages. Locals often refer to the ship by its nickname, the “vomit comet,” because its movement in rough weather frequently caused sea sickness among passengers.
Terry Ward was on the ship’s first Atlantic crossing in 1977. He recalled the smooth sea and the crowd gathered on the quay in Scilly for the arrival. Ward, whose great-grandfather founded the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, described the ship as a central part of island life. He noted that its arrival in March signaled the start of the season, while its departure in autumn left a sense of emptiness. Ward acknowledged that rough conditions could make the ship feel like a hospital, but he called it the best-loved ship in the area.
The final voyage was fully booked, despite expectations of only a few dozen passengers. A shanty group called Mackerel Sky performed on board, and the Cape Cornwall Singers waited in Penzance to welcome the crew. Passengers then moved to the Dock Inn in Penzance for music and dancing. Sholto Blackwell, a crane operator from near Bristol, was among those on the trip. He founded a Facebook page for the ship that now has nearly 5,000 members. Blackwell has taken approximately 30 or 40 return trips and remembered the sea sickness as part of the experience.
The replacement vessel, Scillonian IV, is currently traveling from south-east Asia to the islands via the Cape of Good Hope. It is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in March. The steamship company states the new ship will carry more passengers, travel faster, and use roll and pitch reduction systems to dampen the effect of swells. Ray Jackman, a Scillonian businessman who rode on both the first and last voyages, described the departure as a sad day. He often sat near the engine room to watch the crew operate the machinery. The new ship will arrive in the spring, ready to begin its first season of service.
The transition from Scillonian III to Scillonian IV represents a change in the daily commute for islanders. The old ship is now heading toward retirement after serving the community for 49 years. The new vessel aims to provide a smoother ride, a goal that some regulars like Blackwell view with mixed feelings. The ship’s long career ended on a clear Sunday, with the final crossing completed and the vessel now out of service until the next season begins.
