SS Tynwald (1846)

PS (RMS) Tynwald (I) No. 21921, was an iron paddle-steamer which served with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, and was the first vessel in the Company to bear the name.

History
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's first Tynwald was built by the Robert Napier & Son Ship Building Company of Glasgow, in 1846. She has the dubious distinction of being the first Steam Packet vessel whose launch was delayed by a strike in the shipbuilding yard - as reported by the directors in 1846. The first, but by no means the last.

Tynwald was a reliable ship. A local newspaper described her as being 'as sure as a mountain goat'.

The fastest ship of her day, Tynwald recorded 16 kn on her sea trials.

In December 1846, when on charter to the Liverpool and Belfast Company, she collided with the mail steamer Urgent and damaged a paddle box. Captain Gill was exonerated by the directors: the accident occurred in dense fog. It is noted in the Company minutes, that a provision of £386 (£0 as of 2024) was to be set aside to meet repairs to the damage suffered by the vessel. This did not prevent the directors from later claiming £2,004 (£0 as of 2024) in compensation for damage and loss of earnings, and then, on legal advice, settling for £1,489. In December 1863, she was in collision with the Naval brig Wild Wave, the settlement after a long wrangle costing the Steam Packet £1,128 (£0 as of 2024).

Layout
Tynwald was rigged as a barquentine, with a clipper bow. She had three masts, with the funnel abaft of the paddle boxes. A conspicuous feature was a full length figurehead of a Manx Scandinavian king in armour.

Service
Tynwald operated the passenger and cargo service between Liverpool and the Island of Man. After 1863, she was only used as cargo vessel.

During the winter season in 1850, she was chartered to go to the Mediterranean and called at Gibraltar, Genoa and Leghorn, making the round trip in 30 days.

Disposal
After an eventful career of 40 years, she was sold to Caird & Company for £5,000 (£0 as of 2024) in part payment for her successor, Tynwald (II).