- SS Royal Daffodil
SS "Royal Daffodil" was built in 1906 and scrapped in 1938. She was built as "Daffodil" for service on the River Mersey and renamed "Royal Daffodil" in recognition of her part in the Zeebrugge Raid.
History
Pre war
"Daffodil" was launched in 1906, and put into service as one of the Mersey ferries operating between
Liverpool andBirkenhead .Zeebrugge Raid
In 1918, she was requisitioned for war service and became HMS "Daffodil". Her sister ship "Iris" was also requisitioned and became HMS "Iris". In preparation for the raid, all furniture and fittings were stripped and armour fitted to the superstructure of the "Iris" and "Daffodil". The ferries were chosen because of their shallow draught and
double hull s.cite web | url = http://www.mckenzie.uk.com/zeebrugge/Preparation_-_Albert_McKenzie_/preparation_-_albert_mckenzie_.html| publisher = Colin MacKenzie| title = The Raid on Zeebrugge - 23rd April 1918
accessdate = 2008-03-31] They were towed across the Channel by HMS "Vindictive" and took part in theZeebrugge Raid on23 April 1918 . TheZeebrugge raid was an effort to stopGermany using Zeebrugge as a submarine base. Although hailed as a triumph at the time, it only achieved this aim for a short time. "Daffodil" was hit in the engine room by two shells, but was able to maintain her position holding "Vindictive" against the wall of the Mole.cite web | url = http://www.mckenzie.uk.com/zeebrugge/Arrival_at_the_Mole_-_Albert_M/arrival_at_the_mole_-_albert_m.html| publisher = Colin MacKenzie| title = The Raid on Zeebrugge - 23rd April 1918
accessdate = 2008-03-31] Eight VCs were awarded.Return to Liverpool
"Iris" and "Daffodil" returned to the Mersey on
17 May 1918 , to a heroes welcome. After repairs atChatham , both vessels returned to service on the Mersey.cite web | url = http://www.merseyside.net/newbrighton/Pages/irisdaffodilferry.htm| publisher = Merseyside.net| title = The "Iris" and "Daffodil"| accessdate = 2008-03-29]Post war
After the raid, she was renamed "Royal Daffodil" on command of King George Vcite web | url = http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/GSN-PS1.html#anchor108357| publisher = Ian Boyle| title = Royal Daffodil (1936-1938)| accessdate = 2008-03-29] and returned to the Mersey, bearing
shrapnel marks from the raid. In 1932 she succeeded PS "Royal Iris" on excursion work and in 1934 "Royal Daffodil" was sold to the New Medway Steam Packet Co. (NMSPC). She was used on the Rochester -Strood -Sheerness -Southend route. The NMSPC was taken over by the General Steam Navigation Co. in 1936 and in 1938 "Royal Daffodil" was sold for scrapping inBelgium .cite web | url = http://website.lineone.net/~tom_lee/roydafimg.htm| publisher = Tom Lee| title = Royal Daffodil (I)| accessdate = 2008-03-29]References
External links
* [http://www.mckenzie.uk.com/zeebrugge/Port_of_Zeebrugge_-_Albert_McK/port_of_zeebrugge_-_albert_mck.html Zeebrugge Raid] - story continued on subsequent pages.
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