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Faagmayd nyn Mannaght Ec Lerpoyll [We'll Say Farewell to Liverpool]

https://youtu.be/_KfYHAu4V2Y

Date(s): 1980s

Transcript: [Scroll down for translation to English]

Jesarn yn jeihoo laa as feed jeh Mee ny Mannan y vlein nuy cheead jeig kiare feed as queig, va’n emshyr kayeeagh as fliugh, agh dauesyn shen v’er jeet son y turrys dys Lerpool ec feed minnid dys nuy er y chlag, mee-haitnyssagh va’n keayrt shoh. Lurg ny smoo na keead dy lieh dy vleeantyn, va shoh shiaulley s’jerree yn Phaggad Vree, v’ad gra, dys Lerpool.

Kyndagh rish genney dy hurryssee ta çheet dys Mannin voish Sostyn ny laghyn t’ayn jiu, as daa co-lught lhuingys, yn Phaggad Vree, shiaulley dys Lerpool, as Sealink Manxline dys Heysham, prowal dy cosney argid dy liooar voue, va’n jees oc hene coayl argid erskyn towse, as er-shen, v’eh resoonit magh eddyr oc dy co-vestey yn Phaggad Vree lesh Sealink, va er ve er ny phreevaadjaghey beggan roish shen, ec yn Thooder, as yn co-lught unnaneyssit co-vestit shoh dy hiaulley eddyr Doolish as Heysham ayns ynnyd Lerpool. Agh cha row yn co-vestey er ny cooilleeney fegooish boirey. Ga dy row paart jeu as cooid vooar dy ayrn oc son y Phaggad Vree ayns foayr jeh, va cooid vooar ny ayrnee hene slane noi yn red. Va’n cooish goll er resooney magh reesht as reesht ec oltey nyn Tinvaal, as va aghinyn er nyn yannoo, as taishbynysyn noi’n co-vestey er nyn gummey.
Agh tra va’n deal-coshey er ny hayrn ersooyl as ny teadyn er nyn veaysley moghree yn laa shen, b’leayr dauesyn shen va troailt er-boayrd yn Mona’s Queen dy re shen shiaulley s’jerree yn Phaggad Vree dys Lerpool.

Paart dy vinnidyn magh ass Doolish, as yn Mona’s Queen goaill toshiaght dy hiaulley gour e hie, stiagh syn ushtey garroo, as eisht, paart jeu va er-boayrd, cha row ad abyl cummal sheese nyn anjeeal ny’n jough. Ayns bolg y vaatey, va’n daa yeshaght mooar diesel as jeih cylinderyn ayn ayns gagh fer jeu gimman yn Mona’s Queen ec mooir-veeilley as feed syn oor.

She ayns Mee Mean-Souree sy vlein nuy keead jeig three feed as daa-yeig dy daink ee ayns shirveish yn Phaggad Vree.

Daa oor shiaulley yn keayn. Hug shen traa dy liooar da sleih dy smooinaghtyn er yn co-vestey as er ny eiyrtyssyn oddys ve ayn kyndagh rishyn er Mannin as er Lerpool hene. Fud yn traa braew liauyr shen, as ny baatyn Manninagh shiaulley dys Lerpool, va kianglaghyn mooarey er n’aase eddyr y ghaa voayl. Ayns y traa shen, haink Lerpool dy ve ny valley-margee da Mannin, as ta Manninee dy liooar er n’gholl dy vaghey sy valley shen son dy chosney obbyr as dy hroggal seose lught-thie ayn, as ta paart jeu foast cummal seose ny kianglaghyn oc lesh yn Ellan hene.

Da ny Sostynee, she balley mooar Yernagh yn balley shen, as balley-margee da twoaie yn Thalloo Vretnagh neesht, agh da ny Manninee hene, she ard-valley Vannin, er aght ennagh, balley Lerpool, ga dy vel ram jeu laccal geddyn rey rish.

Agh yn laa shen er yn turrys dys Lerpool, cheayl ny pashneyryn y naight voish Radio Vannin trooid ny kiaulleyryn, dy row yn co-vestey er ve er ny chooilleeney. As er-shen, v’eh jeeaghyn dy re shen yn jerrey jeh kiangley mooar yn Phaggad Vree lesh Lerpool, as toshiaght yn shirveish noa eddyr Doolish as Heysham.
Minnid ny jees lurg lieh oor lurg munlaa, haink yn Mona’s Queen stiagh dys yn Prince’s landing stage fo arrey beayn ny Liver Birds. Va çhionnal mooar dy leih er jaglym ry-cheilley er yn stage son dy chur oltaghey boggoil as creeoil daue er y vaatey lesh bratteeyn as ard-choraa. Eisht, ren yn captan, Bernard Quirk, garraghey yn Mona’s Queen son ny stundayrtyn s’jerree dys y stage er aght va rieau schleioil. Va’n kied ayrn jeh’n turrys ec jerrey.

Jees er y chlag, shen yn traa va reaghit oc shiaulley back dys Mannin, as va just beggan ny smoo na oor dy hraa tannaghtyn ayns Lerpool. Daag ny gleashtanyn ec toshiaght y vaatey, as hie ny pashneyryn coshey roue, as yn scudlagh oc, son dy hirrey barrooseyn as takseeyn.

Va paart jeu er jeet back lurg cur shilley er caarjyn as mooinjeryn ayns Mannin, paart elley cur jerrey er ny laghyn seyrey Arrey oc. Agh er-y-fa dy re shoh yn shiaulley s’jerree, va ram sleih jannoo turrys laa jeh, as shamraag ny red ennagh myr shen yn ynrican scudlagh oc. Va jeeragh traa dy liooar daue va laccal shooyl er y landing stage ny stravaigey mygeayrt mean y valley lesh shilley er ny shappyn mooarey. Va paart jeu laccal yn pint s’jerree jeh’n lhune ynnydagh roish yn shiaulley thie. Va paays mooar er n’aase orroo dyn y wooise da’n turrys garroo.

Va obbyr dy liooar ry-yannoo syn oor shen roish goll back dy Ghoolish. Va’n baatey er ny lughtaghey lesh reddyn son yn Ellan as lesh bee son y cafeteria, as reddyn myr shen. Haink band-kiaullee the Sea Cadets ayns dy chloie sorçh dy chiaulleeaght as dy aagail yn bannaght ec yn Phaggad Vree. Haink Alan Jackson ayn neesht. V’eh gobbyr da Radio Vannin keayrt dy row, agh nish da Radio City ayns Lerpool.

Beggan ny sanmey na v’eh cliaghtey, ren yn coontyseyr-lhuingey, Eddie Prescott, cur yn fockle da’n çheshaght son dy ghooney ny dorrysyn çheu, as ghow yn Mona’s Queen toshiaght dy gleashaghey beggan as ny veggan veih’n landing stage. Va’n çhionnal mooar dy leih v’ayn er vooadaghey eh hene son dy chur bannaght huc. Va’n brigade-aile er jeet neesht lesh ny greienyn oc, as va ny marroonyn er nyn lhiggey seyr. Va’n çhionnal shen dy leih geamagh as gyllagh lesh ard-choraa cur creeaght da’n vaatey as da’n Phaggad Vree, as cur bannaght daue va er-çhee shiaulley.

Eisht ren yn captan Quirk stiurey yn Mona’s Queen mygeayrt ayns kiarkyl mooar cour shiaulley shaghey yn landing stage son yn keayrt s’jerree.

Ga dy row cummey feailley ayn, va feallee dy liooar ayn va coe as keayney kyndagh rish yn keayrt – yn brishey cowreydagh symbolagh lesh yn ard-valley. As ayns co-soylagh rish yn turrys magh moghree yn laa shen, kiune as rea va’n turrys stiagh dy Ghoolish, as ga dy row eddin elley çheet er yn emshyr, va sleih dy liooar giu jough sy var fegooish aggle.

Reesht as reesht ren cooishyn yn Phaggad Vree brishey stiagh sy co-loayrtys. Row yn co-vestey ny vriwnys mie? Row ad er n’yannoo marran mooar faagail Lerpool? Foddee dy beagh yn freggyrt er shen ry-chlashtyn sy gheay. Agh un red va shickyr – va cabdil ayns shennaghys yn Phaggad Vree er jeet dys jerrey.

Sy thie-queeyl, va’n seyr-stiureyder cummal yn baatey rish yn coorse kiart cour yn Ellan. Sy çhamyr-jeshaght, va’n kishtey-stiuree co-earroodit cur conney dy liooar da’n vaatey dy reayl bieauid rea ayn. Cha row Doolish agh paart dy veeillaghyn ersooyl.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. We expect to arrive at the King Edward pier in Douglas at twenty minutes past six. The doors to the car deck will be open at quarter past six."

Tra nagh row agh paart dy vinnidyn roin, goll stiagh sy phurt, va çhaghteraght veih’n Kiannoort, yn Reejerey Nigel Cecil, er ny chur sheese reesht trooid kiaulleyryn yn vaatey. Ren eh gra,

"Da’n chaptan as da’n çheshaght yn Mona’s Queen, ta rey dy hraa ec jerrey. Ta’n Versey goaill foddeeaght son eu hene as son nyn shuyraghyn."

As er-shen, va’n shiaulley s’jerree voish Lerpool ec jerrey.


Translation to English

Saturday 30th March 1985. The weather was foggy and wet. But for those arriving for the 8.40 sailing to Liverpool this was not a very happy occasion. After more than 150 years this was to be the last sailing to Liverpool by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. On account of the failing number of tourist sailing from England to the Isle of Man at this time, and two shipping companies, the Steam Packet sailing to Liverpool, And Sealink Manx Line to Heysham, both trying to make money out of them, both were losing large sums of money. And so, a merger was agreed between the Steam Packet and Sealink, who had recently been privatised, under Thatcher, and this merged company was to sail between Douglas and Heysham rather than Liverpool. But the merger did not happen without difficulties.

Although some Steam Packet share holders, those with the most shares, were in favour of it, most individual shareholders were against. The issue had been debated again and again by Tynwald members, and petitions and protests against the merger had been held.

But when the gang-plank was lifted and the ropes were cast off on the morning of that day is was clear to those travelling on board the Mona's Queen that this would be the last sailing of the Steam Packet to Liverpool.
A few minutes outside of Douglas and the Mona's Queen began sailing into rough water And then, some of those on board were unable to hold down their breakfast or their drink.

Below decks were two mighty ten cylinder diesel engines propelling Mona’s Queen at 21 knots. She had been in the service of the Steam Packet since 1972.

Two hours on the sea, had given passengers plenty of time to meditate on the merger and its consequences on the Isle of Man and Liverpool. During the many years that Manx boats had sailed to Liverpool strong ties had developed between the two places. During this time, Liverpool had become the main trading port for the Isle of Man and many Manx people had moved to Liverpool for work and raised their families there and many of them still had links to the island. To the English it [Liverpool] was an Irish town, and it was also an important town for north Wales. but to the Manx, it was a sort of capital city, Liverpool. Though many of them wanted rid of it. But on that day, on the trip to Liverpool, the passengers heard the Manx Radio news through the intercom.

That the merger had been finalised.

And with that, it seemed this was the end of the strong links between the Steam Packet and Liverpool, and the beginning of the new service between Heysham and Liverpool.

A minute or two after midday, the Mona's Queen approached the Prince's landing stage, under the constant watch of the Liver Birds.

A large crowd had gathered on the stage to welcome the boat waving flags and cheering.
Then Capt. Bernard Quirk manoeuvred the Mona's Queen the last few yards to the stage in his ever skillful way. The first part of the trip was over.

Two o'clock was the arranged time for departure back to the Isle of Man, after just a little more than an hour in Liverpool.

The cars disembarked from the stern, as the foot passengers disembarked with their bags, to find busses and taxis. Some of them were retuning from visiting friends and family on the Isle of Man and others were at the end of their spring holidays.

But because this was the last sailing, many of the passengers were day-trippers, their only luggage was a camera.

There was plenty of time for those just wanting to walk the landing stage, or for a stroll in the city centre for a look at the big shops. Some wanted a last pint of Liverpool ale before sailing home. Their thirsts undeterred by the rough crossing. There was plenty to be done in the hour before the return to Douglas.

The boat was loaded with cargo for the island, also food for the cafeteria, and other such provisions.
The Sea Cadets band came to play music and wave farewell to the Steam Packet. Alan Jackson also visited. He had once worked for Manx Radio but now worked for Radio City in Liverpool.

A little later than usual, the ships purser, Eddie Prescott, gave the signal to close up the doors, and the Mona's Queen slowly departed from the landing stage. The crowd swelled with well-wishers. The fire brigade came with their engines, and the maroons were fired. The large crowd cheered loudly giving encouragement to the ship and the Steam Packet, and well wishes to the passengers.

Then Capt. Quirk turned the boat around in a large circle preparing to sail by the landing stage for the last time. Although it appeared a festive occasion many people were mourning and weeping at the event - the symbolic break with the city. In contrast to the outward journey that morning, the trip to Douglas was calm and subdued and although the weather was changing, plenty of people were drinking without worry. Again and again the Steam Packet crept into conversations. Was the merger a good idea? Had they made a huge mistake leaving Liverpool? Perhaps the answer would be "blowing in the wind." But one thing was certain, a chapter in the history of the Steam Packet had come to an end.

On the bridge the auto-pilot was keeping a steady course homeward In the engine room the computer linked control panel was giving Mona’s Queen just enough fuel to keep a good steady speed. Douglas was just a few miles away.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. We expect to arrive at the King Edward pier in Douglas at twenty minutes past six. The doors to the car deck will be open at quarter past six.”

When just a few minutes outside of the port a message from the lieutenant Governor Nigel Cecil
was played through the intercom. it said,

“To the captain and crew of the Mona's Queen. So ends an era. The Mersey will miss you and your sisters.”

And with that, the last sailing from Liverpool was over.

Scope & Content: Faagmayd nyn Mannaght Ec Lerpoyl (We'll say farewell to Liverpool) is the fourth documentary film made by Foillan Films and is entirely in the Manx language.

The film begins at Douglas pier as the Mona's Queen prepares to set sail for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's last sailing to Liverpool after Heysham became the main English port for the island.

Narrated by George Broderick.

Language: eng

Collection: Film Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: FA 0133/4

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