Much-missed former Mersey Ferry Royal Iris begins to sink

ONE of the best-loved and most missed Mersey ferries has begun to sink.

The Royal Iris, which left service in 1991, was last week found to be taking on water in the Thames.

London Police and RNLI lifeboatmen were called in to find water swamped up to the level of the deck and evidence of squatters living on board.

Station manager Ian Dunkley said the boat had been on the river for at least eight years.

He said: “It’s a bit of an undignified ending for her.”

Officials are now trying to track down the current owners of the ferry.

The Royal Iris was built for Wallasey Ferries in 1950, and entered service on May 5, 1951.

Get involved...