A visit with IKS Exploration to the old Mersey Ferry abandoned on the River Thames in London.. We decided not to risk boarding her but we did a walk around underneath her...was amazing.
This ferry boat is from my home town. It breaks my heart that whoever bought this amazing piece of history, has let it rot. I heard that person had offers from others who wanted to restore it,, but the offer(s) were turned down. Either that person had a grudge that he ran out of money, so didnt want anyone else to benefit, OR he really had a nasty grudge against my home town or someone in it & so this is his display of that grudge. So so sad. Must be a very bitter person for some reason. This is a waste of such sentimental history. 😭💔💔 . My Grandad even worked on the ferry boats. He & my other relatives would also be heartbroken to see the state it's in now. This boat needs at least taken out the water if anything.
The Royal Iris is from my home town, Wallasey. I went to a fabulous New year's Eve party on this boat in 1986 and this breaks my heart! It is criminal the way this boat has been treated and needs restoring and brought back to the Mersey.
I'm from there too. Breaks my heart to see her in this condition. Shame on the person who bought her & took her away from the mersey & let her rott after running out of money. Shame that that person even turned down offers to buy her to refurbish her. She at least needs lifting out of the water. 😞😖💔😭
Hope not to bore with a long comment. This boat I was first taken on as an 8 year old boy. There began my obsession and love of watercraft and nautical life. I now live on a boat and happiest on board on the water. This boat started all that. It truly hurts to see her in this way. I always thought Sir Paul McCartney may have put his hands in his pockets to bring her home and restore back at Lairds yard. Where she was built. If I won big on the lottery my first job would be to try to buy her from the reluctant to sell owner. Criminal!! It would be a hefty cost. But I'd spend the lot to see her alive again, truly I would. Some things are worth saving. Crane onto a tanker and bring her back, replate, new fit and I'm sure the Merseyside public (40+) would love her and pay to cruise on her. Dreaming again. Thanks guy's for a very very good video, such a shame you couldn't get onboard. I'd love to have flashbacks from seeing the inside, even though the decay would be very sad. My Mum had 21st gift made from family friend that worked on the prop shop. A manganeze bronze key (old idea for 21st, keys to the house). Anyway comment over.
Comment as long as you like its great to hear peoples memories, its why I like my history... There are a few videos where explorers have got on the boat we was just unlucky to find the metal plate in the mud on the day... Thank you for your comments... ATB Chris.
My nana and grandad remember riding on the Iris on the Mersey. It was known as the fish and chip boat!! They would go to the parties and see people like The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers play.
Props are brass no doubt on a boat like that as it was deemed luxurious in its day so no expense spared just a shame that its Been abandoned like that not a nice ending for such an historic boat should never have been left to rot away like that
I went on her when I was a kid - day trips to New Brighton. Nearly 60 years ago. It's only recently that Liverpool has started caring about its heritage. Too late for this ferryboat sadly. I wonder if the cracks in the hull are caused by her being banged against the river wall? The wooden rail that used to protect her against that have rotten away. At the landing stage in Liverpool, there were massive tractor tyres slung over the side to stop the ferry boat getting damaged.
Good day folk I saw your video on Facebook and thought I had subbed your channel. Not on UA-cam so now I am. I'm looking forward to watching your videos. Good day.
I tell you what to all the nay sayers about this boat …. If they can drag the hulk of the SS Great Britain back all the way from the Falkland Islands to Bristol from near Antarctica and restore her, they bring a little rusty tub like the Iris back up to Birkenhead and put her in one of the dry docks at Camel Lairds and restore her. It just needs the will to get things rolling, the Mersey needs this boat back there.
What's sad to me is all the trash that's on the bottom there by the ship tires rims I mean why is that left there they should really clean that up it looks terrible. They should take the ship and cut it up for scrap steel instead of just letting it sit there and go to waste like that it makes no sense to me.
This ferry boat is from my home town. It breaks my heart that whoever bought this amazing piece of history, has let it rot. I heard that person had offers from others who wanted to restore it,, but the offer(s) were turned down. Either that person had a grudge that he ran out of money, so didnt want anyone else to benefit, OR he really had a nasty grudge against my home town or someone in it & so this is his display of that grudge. So so sad. Must be a very bitter person for some reason. This is a waste of such sentimental history. 😭💔💔 . My Grandad even worked on the ferry boats. He & my other relatives would also be heartbroken to see the state it's in now. This boat needs at least taken out the water if anything.
The Royal Iris is from my home town, Wallasey. I went to a fabulous New year's Eve party on this boat in 1986 and this breaks my heart! It is criminal the way this boat has been treated and needs restoring and brought back to the Mersey.
I'm from there too. Breaks my heart to see her in this condition. Shame on the person who bought her & took her away from the mersey & let her rott after running out of money. Shame that that person even turned down offers to buy her to refurbish her. She at least needs lifting out of the water. 😞😖💔😭
Hope not to bore with a long comment. This boat I was first taken on as an 8 year old boy. There began my obsession and love of watercraft and nautical life. I now live on a boat and happiest on board on the water. This boat started all that. It truly hurts to see her in this way. I always thought Sir Paul McCartney may have put his hands in his pockets to bring her home and restore back at Lairds yard. Where she was built. If I won big on the lottery my first job would be to try to buy her from the reluctant to sell owner. Criminal!! It would be a hefty cost. But I'd spend the lot to see her alive again, truly I would. Some things are worth saving. Crane onto a tanker and bring her back, replate, new fit and I'm sure the Merseyside public (40+) would love her and pay to cruise on her. Dreaming again. Thanks guy's for a very very good video, such a shame you couldn't get onboard. I'd love to have flashbacks from seeing the inside, even though the decay would be very sad. My Mum had 21st gift made from family friend that worked on the prop shop. A manganeze bronze key (old idea for 21st, keys to the house). Anyway comment over.
Comment as long as you like its great to hear peoples memories, its why I like my history... There are a few videos where explorers have got on the boat we was just unlucky to find the metal plate in the mud on the day... Thank you for your comments... ATB Chris.
There is a YT video from someone who got on board but it's very sad - tons of pigeon mess, stuff left by squatters, garbage graffiti tags.
It was built in Dumbarton, Scotland.....not Cammell Lairds!
My nana and grandad remember riding on the Iris on the Mersey. It was known as the fish and chip boat!! They would go to the parties and see people like The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers play.
I sailed on the Royal Iris so many times when I was young. GREAT VIDEO guys. Thank you.
Wow great to see your video what a fabulous ferry it’s a shame it can’t be saved it’s lasted this long ….
The propellors are made of manganese bronze and weigh 1.5 tonnes each.
This was a great boat to sail on,saw Gerry play on this,so sad to see it in decline.
the river Thames has some fantastic history and hidden wonders.
Props are brass no doubt on a boat like that as it was deemed luxurious in its day so no expense spared just a shame that its Been abandoned like that not a nice ending for such an historic boat should never have been left to rot away like that
I went on her when I was a kid - day trips to New Brighton. Nearly 60 years ago. It's only recently that Liverpool has started caring about its heritage. Too late for this ferryboat sadly.
I wonder if the cracks in the hull are caused by her being banged against the river wall? The wooden rail that used to protect her against that have rotten away. At the landing stage in Liverpool, there were massive tractor tyres slung over the side to stop the ferry boat getting damaged.
How cool is that!! Gutted you couldn’t show us around inside but still a great watch 😃🙋🏼♀️
Thank you Kerry...We may return soon to try again...😉
awesome video folk ! love the commentary and background music on this one (:
Thank you for watching, may go back some day to see if we can board her...😉
GREAT VIDEO TO WATCH THANKS
Wow
sad to see this in such a bad way :( was great to touch it :D
May get to see inside soon hopefully
Good day folk I saw your video on Facebook and thought I had subbed your channel. Not on UA-cam so now I am. I'm looking forward to watching your videos. Good day.
Good video Chris. You could have climbed along the rope to get in! I might have trouble at 20st. 🐖
Yeah me too, not built for the old SAS stuff...Thanks for watching ATB Chris.
Remember my late Dad going for an evening Cruise on her way back
Thank you for watching hope your Dad enjoyed it, looked a great boat when in service..
@@ChrisWoutdoors I,m sure he did sad to see her in this state she deserves better
She should come home ☹So Sad
Even if they put it on dry land and jetwash it out, I'm sure a few volunteers could get it painted out and open it for visitors
Shame it's left like that. Thanks for the video
New subscriber here too!
Thank you...ATB Chris.
Having seen the Spitfire graffiti from last weeks video in real life yesterday I think I will give it a miss looking under this . Good video.
Might be a bit muddy on a bike... Thanks for watching...🤣
I tell you what to all the nay sayers about this boat …. If they can drag the hulk of the SS Great Britain back all the way from the Falkland Islands to Bristol from near Antarctica and restore her, they bring a little rusty tub like the Iris back up to Birkenhead and put her in one of the dry docks at Camel Lairds and restore her. It just needs the will to get things rolling, the Mersey needs this boat back there.
This is a crying fucking shame that this beautiful boat has been allowed to rust away…
What's sad to me is all the trash that's on the bottom there by the ship tires rims I mean why is that left there they should really clean that up it looks terrible. They should take the ship and cut it up for scrap steel instead of just letting it sit there and go to waste like that it makes no sense to me.
The props are phosphor bronze
She has a fade at the front it’s dory
A piece of history left to rot. What a waste!
Yeah sure is, so much history in her metal, would love to see her sail again...
2012?????
Yep just noticed should be 2021....lol
what an utter shame