Name TSS Duke of Rothesay Launched 1956 Draft 4.54 m Tonnage 4,797 GT | Maiden voyage 1956 Length 115 m Out of service 1975 | |
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Owner 1956–1963 British Transport Commission
1963–1975 Sealink Operator 1956–1963 British Transport Commission
1963–1975 Sealink Port of registry Lancaster, United Kingdom Route 1956–1967 Heysham – Belfast
1967–1971 Fishguard – Rosslare Builder William Denny and Brothers | ||
The Duke of Rothesay was a railway steamer passenger ship that operated in Europe from 1956 to 1975.
In service
Along with her sister ships the TSS Duke of Lancaster and the TSS Duke of Argyll she was amongst the last passenger-only steamers built for British Railways (at that time, also a ferry operator). She was a replacement for the 1928 steamer built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway, RMS Duke of Rothesay.
Built at William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton and completed in 1956, she was designed to operate as both a passenger ferry (primarily on the Heysham-Belfast route) and as a cruise ship.
She provided some relief services between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire in 1965 and 1966.
In March 1967, she was converted to a side loading car ferry by Cammell Laird to be used on the Fishguard to Rosslare service, which continued until the Caledonian Princess started in 1971. The Main Deck was gutted and space made for 100 cars.
In October 1975, she was towed from Holyhead to Faslane to be broken up.