MV Leinster (1968)

For other uses, see Leinster (disambiguation).

History
Name	1968–1980: Leinster 1980–1986: Innisfallen 1986–1993: Ionian Sun 1993–1993: Chams 1993–2001: Ionian Sun 2001–2004: Merdif
Operator	1969–1986: B+I Line 1986–1990: Strintzis Lines 1990–1990: Swansea Cork Ferries 1990–1993: Strintzis Lines 1993–1993: Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation 1993–2001: Strintzis Lines 2001–2004: Marco Shipping Agency
Port of registry	1968–1986: Ireland 1986–2001: Piraeus, Greece 2001–2004: Dubai, UAE
Route	Dublin–Liverpool (1969–1980) Cork–Pembroke Dock (1980–1982) Cork–Rosslare–Pembroke Dock (1982–1983) Rosslare–Pembroke Dock (1983–1986) Ancona–Corfu–Igoumenitsa–Patras (1987–1990) Cork–Swansea (Summer 1990) Sailing in the Greek Archipelago (1991–1993) Genova–Tunis (1993–1993) Igoumenitsa–Brindisi (1993–1994) Igoumenitsa–Corfu–Brindisi (1994–1997) Sailing in the Greek Archipelago (1997–2000) Sailing from Dubai across the Persian Gulf (2001–2004)
Builder	Verolme Cork Dockyard
Launched	19 November 1968
Completed	1969
Maiden voyage	1969
In service	1969
Out of service	2004
Identification	IMO number: 6902767
Fate	Scrapped at Alang, India in 2004.
General characteristics
Tonnage	5,000 GRT
Length	118.32 m (388 ft 2 in)
Beam	17.84 m (58 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.45 m (14 ft 7 in)
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Capacity	1,200 passengers, 230 cars

MV Leinster was launched in 1968 and operated initially for the British and Irish Steam Packet Company (B+I Line). The c. 5,000-ton ship as built had capacity for 1,200 passengers and 220 cars. The ship has also been known under several other names including Innisfallen, Ionian Sun, Chams and Merdif..

History

The ship was built at Verolme Cork Dockyards Ltd., Rushbrooke, County Cork, Ireland. It initially worked for B+I Line on the Dublin to Liverpool route. Sister ships of a broadly similar design were Prins Bertil, Gustav Vasa, Kronprins, Karl Gustav, MV Munster (1968), and MV Innisfallen (1969), the latter two for B+I Line. Leinster had a multi-windows observation lounge deck with cocktail bar above the bridge which could differentiate her from Munster who also worked Dublin-Liverpool.

The c. 5,000-ton ship as built had capacity for 1,200 passengers and 230 cars. The top speed of not less than 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) from four diesel engines allowed the ship to make the daytime crossing from Dublin Port to Carriers' Dock, Liverpool in seven hours. Ships of the class had bow and stern doors allowing a turnaround time of one hour. They were also equipped with bow thrusters and stabilizers.

From 1980 to 1986, the ship was mostly reallocated to the Southern Irish Sea routes variously Cork and Rosslare to Swansea and Pembroke Dock; taking the name Innisfallen from her sister ship.

1986 saw the vessel sold to the Strintzis Lines, Cyprus for operations in the Mediterranean Sea. In the summer of 1990 she briefly returned to the South Irish Sea on charter to Swansea Cork Ferries and in 1993 she was briefly named Chams for a Tunisia—Genoa charter operation.

In November 2001 the vessel was sold to Marco Shipping Agency, Dubai and renamed Merdif and finally scrapped at Alang, India in 2004.

References

Sources

• Boyle, Ian (2018). "B&I Line — Page 2: Post War Ships 1945-1995". Simplon Postcards. Leinster(5) (1969-1980). Retrieved 14 July 2020.
• Asklander, Micke (2017). "M/S Leinster". Facts about Ships (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
• McNeill, D. B. (1971). Irish Passenger Steamship Services. Vol. 2: South of Ireland. Newton Abbot, Devon: David & Charles. ISBN 0715352482. OCLC 60074874.