Cruising on the Mersey and into Liverpool Bay dates back to Victorian times when small paddle steamers took trippers to the rapidly developing resorts on the Welsh and Lancashire coasts. By the 1930s most of these excursions had ceased to operate with the exception of those to the Isle of Man and Llandudno. The latter was served by two comparatively large well- appointed steamers with fairly shallow draughts for sailing in coastal waters. These had large open upper decks for the more hardy types who enjoyed the sea breezes, and roomy promenade decks and saloons for others and also for more choppy conditions. Both vessels were generally considered the finest and most luxurious excursion boats in British coastal waters.
The larger vessel the St Tudno operated a daily summer service to Llandudno and the Menai Straits whilst the St Seriol undertook afternoon excursions and sails around Anglesey and once a week to the Isle of Man. In winter they had to lay up in Birkenhead docks.
I was fortunate enough on two occasions to take a cheap afternoon sailing to Llandudno on the St Seriol with an hour ashore, allowing time for a stroll down the long pier and a snack before returning about 5.00 pm on the St Tudno reaching the Pier Head at 7.30 pm. The St Seriol anchored in the Bay in readiness for the Tuesday excursion to the Isle of Man (weather permitting).
On one of these trips we did not use the main channel, but because it was high water we were able to take the old channel into Liverpool, the Rock Channel, which took us close to the Perch Rock Battery and Lighthouse at New Brighton. This cut off the corner and probably saved fuel hence the number of small coasters taking bulk cargoes to small ports along the west coast.
An interesting fact is that the St Seriol was later to receive national acclaim as the first vessel to rescue troops from Dunkirk in 1940. The captain was honoured for his part in this operation in which his command received considerable damage.
In the late thirties there was a small two funnelled motor ship the Silio for short excursions on the Welsh coast. It was often to be seen in the river, painted grey, during the War.
As part of the daily weekday sailing schedule one was able to enjoy an excursion to the Isle of Man allowing four hours ashore, and returning about 7.30 pm. There was no Sunday service to the Island!
Sadly excursions to Llandudno are not possible today probably because of the cost of operating sea-going vessels on a summer only basis and also the increasing availability of the motor car and the luxury coach.
Stuart Black
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