The dock will bring a cruise ship back to life with an open top bar and sea view.
The Duke of Lancaster Ferry spent many glorious years carrying passengers to its premier-class cabins.
Through the 1950s, 1960s, it traveled the oceans as a silver-service ship on trips to Europe and Scotland.
Duke of Lancaster is a cruise ship that has been moored along the River Dee ever since 1979.
This vessel was constructed by Harland and Wolff of Belfast, the same place RMS Titanic launched.
The vessel was later used for storage, and then as an art gallery.
As it sits alongside the River Dee, North Wales, its condition is worsening. Duke of Lancaster’s former glory is now being returned to by fundraising efforts
It was used to offer cruises to Europe and Irish Sea routes. Later, she was reconfigured for transporting cars
TSS Duke of Lancaster (pictured below), was originally built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. In 1956 it replaced an 1928 steamer of that name, built by London Midland and Scottish Railway Company.
Passengers pictured onboard the turbine steam ship in its heydey. Silver service was provided to passengers as they traveled from Ireland, Scotland, and Europe. The vessel’s first class quarters were even called ‘the best around’ in the 1950s.
The Duke of Lancaster, a luxurious vessel that crossed the Irish Sea, was renowned for its first-class accommodation. British Railways ordered it.
View inside the TSS Duke of Lancaster’s dining area. The ship was abandoned at Llanerch-y-Mor (north-east Wales) in 1979. The boat was transformed into The Fun Ship, which is a floating entertainment and retail center.
To be made into a tourist attraction, the ship was docked near Mostyn on the River Dee in North Wales.
The Funship, a floating leisure facility was planned for it. It had arcade games in its interior.
John Rowley was involved in an altercation with the councillors regarding the future of his ship. It has been empty for more than 40 years.
John and Antony, their son are raising funds to renovate the top decks and make it a bar and restaurant that tourists can use.
Antony stated that the boat has been here since 1979. The inside is the exact same as before. It will be restored with all its original features.
“The region needs it. It needs something. The local community is our goal. We want to bring more people back in the area, so that everyone benefits.
“We have tourists that come to our shoreline to take a look at it, and we already attract them, but now the site will be open to thousands.”
The ship’s passengers play bingo. When the enormous vessel made its last voyage in 1978, it was sold by Liverpool to an owner who wanted to make it a dry docked attraction.
The vessel is beached in a poor condition at Llanerch-y-Mor in Flintshire, north-east Wales (location pictured above). The vessel has been previously transformed into an open air gallery, and was featured on BBC 2’s Coast documentary series.
The ship has remained frozen in time at Llanerch-y-Mor near Mostyn in Flintshire, north-east Wales, with the same bar, cinema (pictured above), restaurant and cafeterias
Antony, a child of the ship, hopes that after raising money through fun days at he dock, the top decks on the vessel will be rebuilt within 12 months.
He explained that there were street performers from Covent Garden and live wrestling. There was also a bouncy castle, stall and street vendors.
“We have also built a permanent beach bar. A lifeboat from the beginning is used for a beer bar, so that people can have a beer at the bar.
“All proceeds from these events go into the restoration of the ship.
“The closure of this area was made because there were disputes about the vessel’s access. This has all now been resolved.
“That is why we held the first event, and now we plan to do more. All of our events will be used for restoration.
“Our main objective next is to open the top decks with bars and then slowly we will work our way down.
Antony believes that the ship can be turned into an event space for weddings and parties.
Duke of Lancaster was one of British Railways’ last passenger-only steamers. This vessel became obsolete with the rise of automobile ownership.
He added, “There are many people here who also want to take part in events.”
“There are many people who would like to hold their weddings in this area. The bar and pier are available for them to put up a marquee or hold a wedding there.
Duke of Lancaster was the first passenger-only steamer built by British Railways.
This vessel was created to serve as both a passenger ferry, and as a cruise boat, allowing you to travel up to Spain, Belgium and Denmark.
Antony said that all local businesses and residents want to see something happen at this location. This has been a long-planned event.
“It has been sitting here so long empty, and we have not been in a position to do anything. Now we are finally able start doing something.”