Scillonian III makes final voyage after almost half a century of service

The Scillonian III, which has carried passengers between the English mainland and the Isles of Scilly for almost half a century, made her final voyage on Sunday.

On Sunday the ship covered the 37-nautical-mile route from the island of St Mary's to Penzance in Cornwall. That was her last journey.

The ship, which began service in 1977, served for almost 49 years. In that time she sailed more than 10,000 times, carrying islanders, holidaymakers and visitors who came to watch birds.

Because she rolled heavily in stormy weather, she was also nicknamed the 'vomit comet'. Even so, she was dearly loved by the islanders.

Terry Ward, who was on the ship's first voyage, said that trip was beautiful. After an overnight sailing from north Devon, they arrived to find the quay packed with locals who had come to see the ship for the first time. Ward's great-grandfather was the founding chair of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, the company that operates the ship.

Ward said there is no better loved ship anywhere on the islands. When she returned every March, it felt as if the season had begun; when she left at the end of the season, it left a feeling of emptiness.

Ray Jackman, a businessman, was on both the first and the last voyages. He always sat next to the engine room, because the crew would show him the inner workings of the ship. In his words, the ship very rarely broke down and was a big part of people's lives on the islands.

The steamship company had expected only a few dozen passengers on the final voyage, but tickets sold out. A shanty group called Mackerel Sky sang her off, and the Cape Cornwall Singers waited at the other end to welcome her in. Afterwards there was music, dancing and drinks at the Dock Inn in Penzance.

Sholto Blackwell, founder of the ship's Facebook appreciation page, said it was the end of an era for him. Blackwell, whose page has almost 5,000 members, first visited Scilly on holiday as a boy and has since made 30 to 40 return trips. Sea sickness was sometimes part of the experience, but reaching Scilly was the real reward.

Scillonian III was the third passenger ship to serve the islands. The first operated from 1926 to 1956 and during the Second World War was fitted with guns and used as a military transport. The second lasted 25 years before Scillonian III replaced her; she was launched by the then Prince Charles.

Scillonian IV, built in south-east Asia, is now on her way to the islands via the Cape of Good Hope. Her maiden voyage will be in March; according to the company, the new ship will carry more passengers, be swifter and feature systems to reduce the rolling of the swells.