A steamship preservation trust is hoping that a novel scheme to raise funds will help them towards their goal of returning the ship to the river of her birth.

The Manxman Steamship Company, a registered company with charitable status, wants people to Adopt A Rivet to help match fund the offer of a £100,000 donation from Liverpool City Council by Councillor Mike Storey, executive member for special initiatives for 2008.

The ship of course is the turbine steamer MANXMAN built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead in 1955.

Manxman was ordered in March 1953 as Yard Number 1259, and launched from Cammell Laird's on the 8th February 1955. Trials took place on the Clyde when she reached a speed of 21.95 knots. Her maiden voyage for Isle of Man Steam Packet Co was from Douglas to Liverpool on the 21st May of that year. Manxman served until the end of the 1982 season by which time she was not only the last of the sisters, she was the last of her type active in British waters. Her final Company service was the 4th September 1982 when she took a special Liverpool - Douglas - Liverpool sailing.

Turbine steamers are a bit of a rarity these days, probably the best known is the Clyde-built QUEEN MARY II which sits at the London Embankment, but regrettably, she could not begin sailing again unless two of her three turbines were put back in, which is highly unlikely given her current owners are rather pleased with her as she is as a pub/restaurant.

Meanwhile the last turbine steamer to be ordered by British Rail languishes at a dock in Hartlepool. She was DOVER built in 1965 at Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Tyneside. She later became the EARL SIWARD before going abroad. She returned to the UK but this time in a static role as the TUXEDO ROYALE berthed as a nightclub at Newcastle and latterly at Middlesbrough. It is unclear what plans are being made for her but many fear she could go for scrap.

MANXMAN then is one of the last of a rare breed and one of the finest examples ever of a classic passenger steamship. She is also, say the trust, the last cross channel passenger-only turbine steamer left in the whole of Europe.

Sadly she has suffered badly over the years and even whilst being laid up at her current home, the Pallion shipyard in Sunderland. Vandals and thieves beset her last year, but thankfully her condition is not as bad as it may appear to a casual observer. Any deterioration is said to be 'superficial' in nature.

The Trustees hope to raise enough to prepare her for return to the Mersey where she will go straight back home to the former Cammell Laird drydock No4 where any asbestos will be removed and her exterior restoration will be completed. Thereafter she will go to a new berth where she will open as a static attraction, with a range of activities in maritime skills and education.

The appeal is simple. The idea is for everyone to adopt a £1 rivet to raise the initial target £100,000 to help return her to the Mersey.

The Earl and Countess of Derby have already bulk-ordered 1,000 rivets at £1 each to launch the campaign in style, as the Derbys were formerly Lords of Mann.

Cllr Storey says the Manxman is the ultimate legacy project for 2008 and is Liverpool’s present to itself for European Capital of Culture.

The Trustees say that should this bid to save Manxman be unsuccessful, residual monies will be paid to other appropriate maritime charities.

Knowing Liverpudlians and their tenacity and community spirit ( witness the on going restoration of the century old steam tug/tender the DANIEL ADAMSON ), Shipping Times would say that this appeal should prove successful - but will need your help.

To make your donation go to: Buy a Rivet  for further details.

Or you can send a cheque, payable to Manxman Steamship Co

to Bill Ogle, Chairman, Manxman Steamship Co, c/o 153 Mather Avenue, Liverpool