MV Snowdrop
Encyclopedia
The MV Snowdrop is a Mersey Ferry
in operation on the River Mersey
, England
. From launch until a major refit in 2003, she was named MV Woodchurch.
. Both ferries were built for Birkenhead Corporation and were based loosely on the designs of the Wallasey
ferries Leasowe and Egremont. They were built by the same company, Messrs. Philip & Son Ltd. of Dartmouth
and designed by Designed by naval architects Graham and Woolnough. There was some local surprise when the contract was awarded to Philip & Son because Cammell Laird Shipbuilders
were "next door" to the Birkenhead Ferry Terminal and it was thought that Lairds would automatically build the new ferry boats. However, their price was not considered competitive.
Named after an overspill post-war
housing development of Birkenhead
, the Woodchurch was the second of the new Birkenhead diesel ferries.
Launched by Gwendoline M. McRonald, wife of the Birkenhead Transport Committee Chairman, Charles S. McRonald M.B.E., her hull left the Noss slipway at 3:45 pm and into the River Dart
on Thursday 29 October 1959.
Other Birkonian dignitaries attending the launch were Mrs Louisa Baker, Mayor of Birkenhead and Alderman Hugh Platt, Leader of the Council and the Mayor of Dartmouth was present.
In the evening there was a formal dinner at the Grand Hotel, Torquay.
After fitting out and sea trials, the ferry was delivered to the Mersey in 1960. The Woodchurch was a popular ship. She was externally and internally identical to the Mountwood. The vessel was 152 ft (46.3 m), with a beam of 40 ft (12.2 m), gross tonnage of 464 and a passenger capacity of 1,200 passengers.
She was given Birkenhead Corporation's orange and black livery. The Woodchurch was powered by two medium speed Crossley
diesel engines, which were fitted with air brakes for rapid speed change and could be controlled directly from the bridge via the three pairs of connected Chadburn Synchrostep telegraphs.
The Woodchurch remained in near constant operation up until 1980 when she was withdrawn from service and laid up in Morpeth Dock
for reasons of economy. Up until this period there had been minimal maintenance work carried out on the vessel and at one point she even lost the forward port side rubbing strake. She was put up for sale, but no buyer was found. During this time she was cannibalised for parts to keep the other ferries running. By 1983, the ferry was re-painted and overhauled and returned to passenger service.
Alongside her sister, the vessel was withdrawn from service for extensive refurbishment in 1989. The six-month absence from the river was the result of a major rebuild and life extension programme. During this, her bridge wings and wheelhouses were plated over to form one single bridge. Curiously she retained all her original navigation equipment. She returned to service in July 1990.
and Royal Daffodil
. This renewed a 125-year-old link with the past. All Mersey Ferries now traditional Wallasey "flower" names. The ferry’s re design was not as well received as her two sisters. There appears to be stark contrast between the ships original fine lines and the harsh welding of the Mersey Heritage Ship Repair contractors. The ferry has a large square and box like wheelhouse which does not follow the contours of the ship.
In December 2007, the Snowdrop featured in the Liverpool Nativity, which was broadcast live on BBC Three
and repeated on BBC One
. Gerry Marsden
also made a cameo appearance as the ferry's captain. The ferry is the regular boat used on the Manchester Ship Canal cruises, held over most weekends during the summer months.
Mersey Ferry
The Mersey Ferry is a ferry service operating on the River Mersey in north west England, between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula. Ferries have been used on this route since at least the 12th century, and continue to be popular for both local people and visitors.The current fleet consists of...
in operation on the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. From launch until a major refit in 2003, she was named MV Woodchurch.
MV Woodchurch
The Woodchurch was the sister ship of the MV MountwoodMV Royal Iris of the Mersey
The MV Royal Iris of the Mersey is a Mersey Ferry in operation on the River Mersey, England. From launch until a major refurbishment in 2001, she was named MV Mountwood.-MV Mountwood:...
. Both ferries were built for Birkenhead Corporation and were based loosely on the designs of the Wallasey
Wallasey
Wallasey is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England, on the mouth of the River Mersey, at the northeastern corner of the Wirral Peninsula...
ferries Leasowe and Egremont. They were built by the same company, Messrs. Philip & Son Ltd. of Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
and designed by Designed by naval architects Graham and Woolnough. There was some local surprise when the contract was awarded to Philip & Son because Cammell Laird Shipbuilders
Cammell Laird
Cammell Laird, one of the most famous names in British shipbuilding during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, came about following the merger of Laird, Son & Co. of Birkenhead and Johnson Cammell & Co. of Sheffield at the turn of the twentieth century.- Founding of the business :The Company...
were "next door" to the Birkenhead Ferry Terminal and it was thought that Lairds would automatically build the new ferry boats. However, their price was not considered competitive.
Named after an overspill post-war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
housing development of Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
, the Woodchurch was the second of the new Birkenhead diesel ferries.
Launched by Gwendoline M. McRonald, wife of the Birkenhead Transport Committee Chairman, Charles S. McRonald M.B.E., her hull left the Noss slipway at 3:45 pm and into the River Dart
River Dart
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is a place of great natural beauty.-Watercourse:...
on Thursday 29 October 1959.
Other Birkonian dignitaries attending the launch were Mrs Louisa Baker, Mayor of Birkenhead and Alderman Hugh Platt, Leader of the Council and the Mayor of Dartmouth was present.
In the evening there was a formal dinner at the Grand Hotel, Torquay.
After fitting out and sea trials, the ferry was delivered to the Mersey in 1960. The Woodchurch was a popular ship. She was externally and internally identical to the Mountwood. The vessel was 152 ft (46.3 m), with a beam of 40 ft (12.2 m), gross tonnage of 464 and a passenger capacity of 1,200 passengers.
She was given Birkenhead Corporation's orange and black livery. The Woodchurch was powered by two medium speed Crossley
Crossley
Crossley, based in Manchester, United Kingdom, was a pioneering company in the production of internal combustion engines. Since 1988 it has been part of the Rolls-Royce Power Engineering group.More than 100,000 Crossley oil and gas engines have been built....
diesel engines, which were fitted with air brakes for rapid speed change and could be controlled directly from the bridge via the three pairs of connected Chadburn Synchrostep telegraphs.
The Woodchurch remained in near constant operation up until 1980 when she was withdrawn from service and laid up in Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Built between 1844 and 1847, it also consisted of a smaller branch dock to the east...
for reasons of economy. Up until this period there had been minimal maintenance work carried out on the vessel and at one point she even lost the forward port side rubbing strake. She was put up for sale, but no buyer was found. During this time she was cannibalised for parts to keep the other ferries running. By 1983, the ferry was re-painted and overhauled and returned to passenger service.
Alongside her sister, the vessel was withdrawn from service for extensive refurbishment in 1989. The six-month absence from the river was the result of a major rebuild and life extension programme. During this, her bridge wings and wheelhouses were plated over to form one single bridge. Curiously she retained all her original navigation equipment. She returned to service in July 1990.
MV Snowdrop
The Woodchurch was again withdrawn in 2003. The ferry's superstructure was totally removed and replaced. New engines and electrical installation was installed. The ‘’Snowdrop’’ does not have her original funnel as it was found to be suffering from rust upon removal, so a new funnel was installed. She was relaunched in 2004. A few months later it was revealed that she would be re-named Snowdrop, alongside the Royal Iris of the MerseyMV Royal Iris of the Mersey
The MV Royal Iris of the Mersey is a Mersey Ferry in operation on the River Mersey, England. From launch until a major refurbishment in 2001, she was named MV Mountwood.-MV Mountwood:...
and Royal Daffodil
MV Royal Daffodil
The Royal Daffodil is a ferry in operation on the River Mersey, England and is currently the flagship vessel of the three Mersey Ferries...
. This renewed a 125-year-old link with the past. All Mersey Ferries now traditional Wallasey "flower" names. The ferry’s re design was not as well received as her two sisters. There appears to be stark contrast between the ships original fine lines and the harsh welding of the Mersey Heritage Ship Repair contractors. The ferry has a large square and box like wheelhouse which does not follow the contours of the ship.
In December 2007, the Snowdrop featured in the Liverpool Nativity, which was broadcast live on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
and repeated on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden
Gerard "Gerry" Marsden is an English musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the British band Gerry & the Pacemakers.-Biography:...
also made a cameo appearance as the ferry's captain. The ferry is the regular boat used on the Manchester Ship Canal cruises, held over most weekends during the summer months.