Iron paddle steamer Fanny, built, probably at Renfrew, 1846, ON
16848, 105grt, 73nrt, 110 x 16.6 x 7.2 ft, for Egremont
Ferry and then Birkenhead Ferry Service (run by Liverpool Corporation].
Service to Mostyn 1858 on, possibly registered Cork 1868.
More history.
She collided with the Manx
Fairy [built of iron by Lairds 1853, 419grt, registered Ramsey, 160
x 23ft, 200hp engines by Fawcett] in the Mersey on 19 September 1856 and
sank. No lives were lost. She was later raised.
[from Liverpool Mail - Saturday 21 March 1846]:
EGREMONT FERRY. THE Public are respectfully informed that on and after
March 25th, 1846, the splendid and fast-sailing Iron Steamer PRINCE
ALBERT, and the MARY, in conjunction with the new and powerful Iron
Steamer FANNY, now on the Stocks, which will be completed and ready
for the Station early in April,
WILL LEAVE PRINCE'S PIER FOR EGREMONT, At half-past 6, half-past 7,
and half-past 8 a.m., and every half hour until 9 p.m., and at 10 p.m.
On Saturdays, the last boat will leave at 11 p.m.
WILL LEAVE EGREMONT FOR LIVERPOOL, At 6, 7, and 8 clock, a.m., and
every half hour until half-past 8 p.m., and at half-past 9 p.m. On
Saturdays, the last boat will leave at half-past 10 p.m.
The NEW PIER is rapidly progressing, and, when completed, every
convenience will be afforded for landing Passengers and Vehicles at all
times of tide.
EGREMONT FERRY, The Public are respectfully informed that on and after SUNDAY NEXT, the 10th instant, the FARE at the above Ferry will be REDUCED to TWOPENCE each Person. Children under Ten Years of age, ONE PENNY. The new and powerful IRON STEAMER, FANNY, with excellent accommodation for passengers, is expected here in fortnight from this date, and will run on the Ferry in conjunction with the PRINCE ALBERT, which is well known to be the fastest Ferry Boat on the River Mersey. [from Liverpool Mail - Saturday 09 May 1846][Egremont Ferry had new proprietors from March 1846]
Fanny is described as a new Runcorn steam ferry in an 1847 incident when her funnel was dislodged by a minor collision as she left Liverpool for Runcorn. In 1848, Liverpool corporation minutes quote a complaint that the purchase of the Fanny for use as a Birkenhead Ferry was too expensive and she needed repairs.
Another incident involving a collision with a fishing boat off Woodside when a men and his grandson, in the boat, were drowned. At the inquest in Sept 1849, the Fanny [described as a Birkenhead Ferry of 45 hp with a steeple engine, and with a crew of six, of which only 5 were aboard] was held responsible.
[from Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser - Tuesday 22 May 1849]: The [Liverpool] corporation have contracted with Messrs. Cato and Thomas Vernon, for two new steamers for £9000 for Birkenhead Ferry.
[from Liverpool Albion - Monday 25 February 1850]: BIRKENHEAD FERRY, to be LET, by TENDER. The BIRKENHEAD FERRY, with the Three STEAM-VESSELS, called the Fanny, the Cato, and the Vernon, for the Term of Five, Seven, or Fourteen Years, to be computed from the 1st day of April next. Tenders, sealed up and directed to the FERRIES' SUB COMMITTEE, endorsed "Tender for Birkenhead Ferry", to be delivered or sent to the Town-hall, on or before the 1st day of March next. For particulars apply The SURVEYOR, Town-hall, Liverpool. Town hall, Liverpool, 15th February, 1850.
Listed in MNL passenger-certified steam vessels as 72nrt, 44 hp, at Liverpool, 1850-3
[from Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 30 September 1856]:
COLLISION ON THE RIVER, LAST NIGHT. - A FERRY PACKET RUN DOWN AND SUNK.
Last night, shortly before eight o'clock, an accident of most serious
and alarming nature took place on the river, some short distance above
the landing-stage, between the Birkenhead ferry-boat Fanny, John
Hampson, master, and the Manx packet Fairy, Captain Dixon. The Fanny,
which, in the usual course, should have left the Landing-stage at
seven, was detained a few minutes in taking on board two carts. She
quitted the south end of the stage about twenty minutes to eight and
was making her course towards Birkenhead Ferry. It was flood tide and
the wind was blowing strong from the north. About midway in the river
a ship was lying at anchor. The Manx Fairy was on her homeward voyage
from Ramsey, and, whilst rounding the ship mentioned, came into
violent contact with the Fanny, staving in her port bow. The Fanny,
immediately upon receiving the injury, bore up for the ship at anchor,
and was alongside, discharging her passengers, when the Britannia,
her companion boat, which was returning to Liverpool, went to her
assistance, took her passengers on board, and her into tow, to take
her to Birkenhead, but when about abreast of Monks' Ferry the disabled
boat went down. The Woodside ferry-boat Liverpool, which was making a
trip to the Landing-stage at the time, also went to her assistance,
but her aid was not required. It is estimated that the Fanny, which
is a small iron boat, of considerable age, had on board at the time of
the collision between sixty and seventy passengers, providentially, no
loss or injury to life has occurred, so far as has yet transpired.
Both packets had their proper lights exhibited at the time of the
occurrence; and the accident would seem to have arisen by reason of
the ship moored at anchor preventing the packets being seen by each
other until too late to avoid the collision. The injury, if any, done
to the Fairy must be inconsiderable, she proceeded to the Old Landing
stage, Prince's Pier, discharged her passengers and did not manifest
having received any damage. This, perhaps, is accounted for from her
having ran into the Fanny stern on.
[from Morning Advertiser Tuesday 14 October 1856] The Fanny (s.), which was run down by the Manks Fairy (s.), Sept. 29, has been raised and beached near Tranmere Ferry.
[from Liverpool Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial Advertiser -
Thursday 26 February 1857]
The Iron Paddle Steam Boat FANNY; 78 tons per register; built on the
Clyde, about 8 years since; has a single engine of 45 horse-power, and
donkey engine: now lying alongside the Tranmere slip. Apply to TONGE &
Co., Brokers for the Sale and Purchaser of Ships.
[This seems to be Fanny, iron paddle steamer, built 1846 Barr &
MacNab, Renfrew, 105grt, 73nrt, 110 x 16.6 x 7.2ft, ON 16848, later owned
Seymour, Cobh, Cork, MNL 1874 as 121 x 17 x 7ft, 56nrt, 89grt, 45hp]