Manx Shipping Archive
Created by: Lester Caine, Last modification: 22 November 2011
There had been various shipping companies serving the Isle of Man before the formation of this company in 1830, but such crossings were irregular and vessels used were unreliable. As a result the island could be cut off for weeks at a time. The Manx people felt it was essential they should have their own dedicated service. A meeting was held in the island's capital Douglas in 1829, from which was formed a committee charged with finding out the cost of acquiring a Steam Packet.
On 30 June 1830, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company was born when the brand new vessel, Mona’s Isle, built at a cost of £7,250, sailed from Douglas to Liverpool on its very first sailing.