On 17th May 1977, a new chapter in the Isles of Scilly’s lifeline service began with the launch and naming of Scillonian III.
Almost five decades on, she is now sailing her final season of service. A newspaper cutting reminds us of that historic day when Scillonian III was officially launched by Prince Charles, the then Duke of Cornwall, in Appledore, north Devon.
An article from 1977 reads:
Prince Charles to name new Scillonian
The new Scillonian is to be launched and named by Prince Charles, on May 17. The £2-million vessel is now being completed in North Devon by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd.As Duke of Cornwall, the Prince is landlord of Greater Scilly. Most of the islands, barring the freehold area of Hugh Town, St Mary’s, is Duchy-owned.
Half of the cost of the new vessel has been met by a repayable Government loan.
She will leave Appledore the following day and go to Scilly for her final trials before taking over the service from the present Scillonian. Skipper of the new ship will be Capt. Harvey Thomas, the master of the present Scillonian.
Naming ceremony
This archive footage from that day nearly 50 years ago shows the milestone event, which included a traditional bottle smash on the side of the ship.
Smashing a bottle against a ship’s hull is a long-standing maritime tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Its origins lie in early ceremonies where ships were blessed before their first voyage, often with offerings intended to bring good luck for the vessel and those who sailed on her.
Islander and former Isles of Scilly Steamship Group Board Director, Terry Ward, was 21 years old at the time, and fondly remembers the launch celebrations and voyage from Appledore to Penzance.
“I remember the dinner the night before, which was full of all the local glitterati, councillors and MPs, and the Group’s directors.
“On the day of the launch I can remember climbing up the gangplank thinking, how lucky are we to be doing this?
“The voyage itself was a fabulous trip. We had a couple of drinks at the bar, chatted with everybody else, slept for part of the way over and got to Scilly. When we arrived early in the morning, the whole quay was completely stuffed with everybody looking to see what was going to be serving them for the next 50 years.”
An advert which was published on 12th May 1977 shares details of her inaugural trip to the Isles of Scilly, which sailed on 25th May 1977, just over one week after the official naming ceremony. She departed from Penzance at 9:30am, arriving at St Mary’s at 12:05pm before heading back to the mainland at 4:30pm.
Year after year and season after season, Scillonian III has carried generations of islanders, visitors, crews and freight and is a familiar and reassuring presence to the Isles of Scilly.
As we prepare to say farewell later this year, this newspaper cutting and video footage is a powerful reminder of where Scillonian III’s journey began.
