SS Empress Queen

SS Empress Queen was a steel-hulled paddle steamer, the last of her type ordered by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The Admiralty chartered her in 1915 as a troop ship a role in which she saw service until she ran aground off Bembridge, Isle of Wight, England in 1916 and was subsequently abandoned.

The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, Glasgow built Empress Queen in 1897 at a cost of £130,000. Before her launch the directors of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company issued a circular in which they invited the shareholders of the Company to decide on the name of the vessel. The choices offered were Empress Queen or Douglas. Empress Queen was chosen, in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

The decision did not meet with universal approval; the Isle of Man Times of Tuesday January 19, 1897, disregarding sentiment and citing practicality, stated in an editorial that it thought it better to use the name Douglas, as it would be more easily recognised by passengers. In addition it was leveled that the decision had been taken by English shareholders, who formed the majority of the Company's shareholding. With the decision on the vessel's name decided, the launch date was initially fixed for February 18, 1897 – the christening ceremony to be performed by Mrs Margaret Mylrea, wife of Chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, John Allen Mylrea.

The launch had to be delayed when a fire broke out in Fairfield's yards in February 1897. The fire caused major damage to the yard and threatened the cruiser HMS Argonaut at that time on the stocks under construction, as well as various other vessels including the Empress Queen. However, due to the vessels being separated from the buildings no damage was sustained. Consequently, the launch was rescheduled.

Empress Queen was successfully launched at 13:00hrs on Thursday March 4, 1897. A large delegation of directors and officials from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company were present, along with Sir William Pearce, Chairman of Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Admiralty representatives and visitors from Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Empress Queen was the largest and fastest paddle-driven cross-channel steamship ever built. Her tonnage was 2,140 GRT; registered length 360.1 ft (109.8 m), beam 42.3 ft (12.9 m), depth 17.0 ft (5.2 m). The engine design was very advanced for its day. The machinery consisted of two diagonal surface condensing engines. There were three steam cylinders placed side by side, working on three cranks; the high pressure cylinder being situated between the two low pressure cylinders. The high pressure cylinder was fitted with a piston valve and each of the low pressure cylinders with flat slide valves, which were controlled by double eccentrics and link motion valve gear. The starting and reversing was achieved by a large steam and hydraulic engine constructed on the direct acting principle.

The high pressure cylinder was 68 inches in diameter with the two low-pressure cylinders 92 inches in diameter. The stroke was 84 inches and the usual running speed was 44 rpm.

The condenser was cylindrical and placed athwartships between the cylinders and the supports for the shafting, while the condensing water was supplied by a separate circulating pump, worked by an independent engine.