SS Mona (1832)

Mona
History
Name	Mona
Owner	1832–1841: IOMSPCo
Operator	1832���1841: IOMSPCo
Port of registry	Douglas, Isle of Man
Builder	Robert Napier & Co., Glasgow
Yard number	No Official Yard Number
Launched	27 July 1832
Completed	1831
Out of service	1841
Identification	No registration in existence at time of vessel's commission.
Fate	Sold to an unnamed Liverpool company circa 1841. Re-sold to the City of Dublin Company and converted into a tug.
General characteristics
Tonnage	150 gross register tons (GRT)
Length	98 ft 0 in (29.9 m)
Beam	17 ft 0 in (5.2 m)
Draught	9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)
Installed power	Nominal power recorded as 70 shp (52 kW)
Propulsion	Napier Side Lever Engine. Working at 15 pounds per square inch (100 kPa), developing 70 shp (52 kW) driving twin Paddle wheels
Speed	9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)

SS (RMS) Mona (I) - the first vessel in the Company's history to be so named - was a wooden paddle steamer which was operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. No Official number is recorded for the vessel, as formal registration was not introduced until the Merchant Shipping Act 1854.

Construction and dimensions[]

Mona was built in by Robert Napier & Co., Glasgow, and work began in 1831. She was launched on Friday 27 July 1832, and came into service with the line later that year. She was of wooden construction, and had a registered tonnage of 150 GRT; length 98'; beam 17'; depth 9'6". Her engine developed 70 horse power, and this gave her a speed of 9 knots.

Service life[]

Mona was the second vessel which entered service with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. She was hurriedly ordered for the winter service in place of the larger Mona's Isle, which was soon considered too valuable to risk in storm conditions. Mona initially started on the Company's service to Whitehaven, and then commenced winter service to Liverpool in October 1832.

Faster than the Mona's Isle, she cut the Douglas-Liverpool run to 7hrs, and on one occasion made passage from Douglas to Whitehaven in 4hrs, 35mins.^[1]

Disposal[]

Mona was the smallest vessel in the Company's Fleet List. After less than 10 years service she was sold to an unnamed Liverpool company and then re-sold to the City of Dublin Company who converted her to a tug.

References[]

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