TSS Duke of Clarence

Duke of Clarence
Career
Name:	Duke of Clarence
Owner:	London and North Western Railway and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (joint owners 1892-1909) Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (1909-21) London and North Western Railway (1922) London, Midland and Scottish Railway (1923-1930)
Operator:	London and North Western Railway and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (joint operators 1892-1909) Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (1909-21) London and North Western Railway (1922) London, Midland and Scottish Railway (1923-1930)
Port of registry:	Goole (1892-1923) Goole (1923-30)
Route:	Belfast – Fleetwood Fleetwood - Derry Liverpool - Drogheda Hull - Zeebrugge
Builder:	Laird Brothers
Launched:	1892
Out of service:	1930
Identification:	United Kingdom Official Number 89707 Code Letters MNSP ( -1930)
Fate:	Scrapped
General characteristics
Tonnage:	1,458 gross register tons (GRT) later 1,653 GRT, 687 NRT
Length:	312 ft 5 in (95.22 m)
Beam:	36 ft 2 in (11.02 m)
Depth:	16 ft 7 in (5.05 m)
Installed power:	6 cylinder triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion:	Twin screw propellers
Speed:	19 knots (35 km/h)

TSS Duke of Clarence was a passenger vessel operated jointly by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) from 1892 to 1906, when she was bought outright by the LYR. Ownership reverted to the LNWR in 1922 following the absorption of the LYR. Following the Grouping of Britain's railways under the Railways Act 1921, she passed to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923, serving until 1930 when she was scrapped.

Description

Duke of Clarence was 312 feet 5 inches (95.22 m) long, with a beam of 36 feet 2 inches (11.02 m) and a depth of 16 feet 7 inches (5.05 m).^[1] As built, she was 1,458 GRT.^[2] She was later listed in Lloyd's Register as 1,653 GRT, 687 NRT.^[1]

She was propelled by a six cylinder triple expansion steam engine, which had two cylinders each of 22 inches (56 cm), 34 inches (86 cm) and 51 inches (130 cm) diameter by 33 inches (84 cm) stroke. The engine was built by Lairds.^[1] It could propel the ship at 19 knots (35 km/h).^[2]

History

Duke of Clarence was built at Laird Brothers, Birkenhead,^[1] as the first of seven ships delivered by the company between 1892 and 1909.^[3] It was originally intended to name her Birkenhead.^[2] She was allocated the United Kingdom Official Number 89707 and the code letters MNSP.^[1] She was acquired outright by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1909,^[3] passing to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923.^[1]

Duke of Clarence was used on routes from Fleetwood to Belfast and Derry until 1906. Following which she served on the Hull to Zeebrugge route during the summer and west coast route during the winter,^[4] including the Liverpool to Drogheda route.^[3]

She served until May 1930, when she was sold for scrap.^[2] Duke of Clarence was replaced by Duke of Connaught.^[4] She was scrapped by T W Ward Ltd, Barrow in Furness.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS". Plimsoll Ship Data. http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=30b0344.pdf. Retrieved 2 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Lee, Tom. "Duke of Clarence". Paddle Steamer Picture Gallery. http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/clarenceimg.htm. Retrieved 2 January 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Duckworth, Christian; Langmuir, Graham (1968). Railway and Other Steamers. Prescot: T Stephenson & Sons Ltd. p. not cited. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Duke of Clarence". Simplon Postcards. http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/LMS_LYR1.html#anchor958717. Retrieved 2 January 2010.