PS Earl Spencer was a paddle steamer passenger vessel operated by the London and North Western Railway from 1874 to 1896.
Description
Earl Spencer was 253 feet 7 inches (77.29 m) long, with a beam of 29 feet 4 inches (8.94 m) and a depth of 14 feet 7 inches (4.45 m). She was powered by a two-cylinder oscillating steam engine, which had cylinders of 64 inches (160 cm) diameter by 72 inches (180 cm) stroke. She was assessed at 855 GRT, 374 NRT.[1]
History
Earl Spencer was built in 1874 as yard number 416 by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, Cheshire for the London and North Western Railway. She was launched on 4 July. Her port of registry was London and the United Kingdom Official Number 70620 was allocated.[1] On 17 October 1874, she collided with the schooner Merlin in the Irish Sea whilst on a voyage from Greenore, County Louth to Holyhead, Anglesey. Merlin sank. Her three crew were rescued by Earl Spencer and landed at Holyhead.[2] In 1885, her port of registry was changed to Dublin.[1] On 7 January 1888, she became stranded on the breakwater at Holyhead. Her 57 passengers were rescued, 50 by rocket apparatus and the rest by the Holyhead lifeboat.[3] She was scrapped at Preston, Lancashire in the second quarter of 1896.[1]