Scillonian III, the passenger ferry that has served the Isles of Scilly for almost half a century, made its final voyage on Sunday, sailing 37 nautical miles from St Mary’s to Penzance amid tears, sea shanties and reminiscences of stormy crossings.
The ship, often nicknamed the “vomit comet” because of its tendency to rock heavily in rough weather, has made more than 10,000 trips between the islands and the Cornish mainland since it first entered service in 1977.
Passengers who had been aboard the first journey were among those on the last. Terry Ward, whose great-grandfather was the founding chair of the operator, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, described the inaugural voyage as “a magical trip”. Ray Jackman, a Scillonian businessman who was also on both sailings, said: “She’s very rarely broken down and has been a big part of people’s lives on the islands. It’s a sad day.”
Tickets for the final voyage sold out. A shanty group called Mackerel Sky sang the ship off, while the Cape Cornwall Singers greeted it at Penzance. The farewell continued with music and drinks at the Dock Inn pub.
Sholto Blackwell, a self-confessed superfan who founded the ship’s Facebook appreciation page, said: “It’s the end of an era for me. It carries so many memories.” He recalled making 30 or 40 return trips and being seasick: “Feeling sick was part of the journey, part of the fun.”
Scillonian III was the third passenger vessel to serve the route. Scillonian operated from 1926 to 1956 and was fitted with guns during the second world war, while Scillonian II lasted 25 years. The current ship was launched by the then Prince Charles.
Its replacement, Scillonian IV, built in south-east Asia, is on its way to the islands around the Cape of Good Hope. The company said it will carry more passengers, be swifter and feature “roll and pitch reduction systems”. It is expected to make its maiden voyage in March.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The end of Scillonian III marks the close of a distinctive chapter in UK maritime history and island life, where the ferry was more than transport, it was a seasonal lifeline and a community fixture.
- The arrival of Scillonian IV promises faster, more comfortable journeys, but may also alter the character of the crossing, which many passengers regarded as part of the experience.
- The event highlights the ongoing challenge of providing reliable, affordable transport to remote communities in the UK.
Background
Scillonian III was built in 1977 and operated by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group. It served as the primary passenger link between the Isles of Scilly and mainland Cornwall, carrying islanders, holidaymakers and birdwatchers each spring to autumn. It gained its infamous nickname from the rough Atlantic swells that often made passengers seasick. The islands, located 28 miles off the Cornish coast, have been served by successive passenger ships for nearly a century.
Key Perspectives
- Terry Ward (passenger on first and last voyages): Described the inaugural trip as “a magical trip” and said he did not think there was “a better loved ship anywhere”.
- Ray Jackman (Scillonian businessman and passenger on both voyages): Said the ship was “very rarely broken down” and described the final day as “a sad day”.
- Sholto Blackwell (superfan and Facebook page founder): Called it “the end of an era” and said seasickness was “part of the journey, part of the fun”.
What to Watch
- The arrival of Scillonian IV around the Cape of Good Hope and its maiden voyage in March.
- Whether the new ship’s roll-reduction systems will fully eliminate the rough-weather nausea that became a hallmark of the route.
- Community response to the new vessel and any changes in service frequency or passenger numbers.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedScillonian III made its final voyage after about 49 years serving the Isles of Scilly route.UK news | The Guardian: “on Sunday the grand old ship made one last 37-nautical-mile trip from the island of St Mary’s to Penzance in Cornwall”
- Partly supportedThe ship was known as the “vomit comet” because it tended to rock heavily in rough weather.UK news | The Guardian: “also known as the “vomit comet” because in stormy weather it tended to rock a little too much for the comfort of those susceptible to sea sickness”
- SupportedThe final voyage went 37 nautical miles from St Mary’s to Penzance.UK news | The Guardian: “made one last 37-nautical-mile trip from the island of St Mary’s to Penzance in Cornwall”
- SupportedThe ship had made more than 10,000 trips between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly over 49 years.UK news | The Guardian: “Over 49 years, it has sailed more than 10,000 times”
- SupportedRay Jackman was aboard both the ship’s first and last voyages.UK news | The Guardian: “Ray Jackman, a Scillonian businessman who was on the ship’s first and last voyages”
- SupportedTerry Ward described the inaugural voyage as “a magical trip”.UK news | The Guardian: ““A magical trip.””
- SupportedRay Jackman said the ship had rarely broken down, had been a big part of islanders’ lives and that it was a sad day.UK news | The Guardian: ““It’s been an amazing ship. She’s very rarely broken down and has been a big part of people’s lives on the islands. It’s a sad day.””
- SupportedTickets for the final voyage sold out, and Mackerel Sky sang the ship off while the Cape Cornwall Singers welcomed it at Penzance.UK news | The Guardian: “The steamship company had expected a few dozen passengers on the final voyage but tickets sold out. A Scilly shanty group called Mackerel Sky sang her off. The Cape Cornwall Singers waited at the other end to welcome her in.”
- SupportedSholto Blackwell said, “It’s the end of an era for me. It carries so many memories.”UK news | The Guardian: ““It’s the end of an era for me. It carries so many memories.””
- SupportedScillonian III was the third passenger ship to serve the islands; Scillonian operated from 1926 to 1956, and Scillonian II lasted 25 years.UK news | The Guardian: “Scillonian III was the third passenger ship to serve the islands over the last century. The first, Scillonian, operated from 1926 to 1956 ... Scillonian II lasted 25 years”
- SupportedScillonian IV was built in south-east Asia and was on its way to the islands around the Cape of Good Hope.UK news | The Guardian: “Scillonian IV is on its way to the islands from south-east Asia, where it has been built, around the Cape of Good Hope.”
- SupportedScillonian IV is expected to make its maiden voyage in March and will carry more passengers, be swifter and have roll-and-pitch reduction systems.UK news | The Guardian: “It will make its maiden voyage between the islands and the mainland in March and the steamship company says it will carry more passengers, be swifter and feature “roll and pitch reduction systems””