Scillonian (the First, Best and Only); built 1926, lasted for 30 years, could carry nearly 400 passengers. Photographed (by my grandfather c1930) from Woolpack Point, The Garrison, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly - as close to Heaven or Hell as anyone can get, depending on the weather. Leaving St Mary's Sound, with The Gugh and St Agnes on the horizon. A strong wind from the North West by West. The sound of the Bell Buoy on Spanish Ledges is something that has been burned into my head and heart; it was a magical sound that could be heard most anywhere in that place of Magic. I can hear it now, drifting through the midnight darkness across Porthcressa.
The Scillonian
The ship was solid, lively on the water and game for anything, she missed a trip, but twice;
to add to her incredible service for the thirty years, she also made 40,000 troop movements in WWII.
A sturdy reliable ship.
To sail on her was an experience never to be forgotten
and she had a bad press by people who had visions of having sealegs for a day,
and realising their stomachs were in their boots.
She had to be scrapped in readiness for the next Scillonian (II)
which served for 22 years and was sold off and lasted at sea
in the most atrocious conditions in the Atlantic and The Mediterranean for another 27 years.
The Scillonian ships like Scillonians are made of stern stuff.
The present Scillonian III is a young lass of 32,
when considering the advances in design and specification that have been made,
I suspect she has many years of service actually left in her.
Raymond Forward
