ALAN WHALLEY'S WORLD

TO most folk, the mention of the famous Royal Iris ferry boat conjures up memories of traditional jazz echoing across the Mersey and of the strict-tempo dances held on board.

The jazz sessions and little hops brightened up the 'fifties scene for countless couples from the St Helens, Prescot and neighbouring districts.

But she and her sister Liverpool ferry, Royal Daffodil also played a more heroic role

And Paul Parry of Fingerpost, currently researching into Liverpool\Merseyside during the second world war, comes up with some fascinating detail.

Picking up on earlier mentions of the famous ferries, he says he has discovered some details concerning the Royal Daffodil's sinking and role during the 1939-45 conflict.

"From the outbreak of war, both the Royal Iris and Royal Daffodil ferried American and Commonwealth troops ashore from troopships anchored in the Mersey. They also stood by during any incidents or bombing raids to evacuate or rescue the troops."

Paul seems to remember reading that both the ferries carried out their normal service, on a less-frequent timetable, during the war years.

And he supplies some interesting data. The Daffodil (Royal Daffodil II) was 150ft long, with the beam of a small liner, and powered by two 1,200hp engines, giving her a speed of 12 knots. Built in 1934 by Cammell Lairds, she had a wartime crew of 12 and could ferry just under 2,000 passengers.

"On the night of May 7, 1941, just after 10pm there was a terrific whoosh and an explosion," adds Paul. "A 60ft hole appeared under the starboard engine and she sank. At that time she was berthed at Seacombe landing stage."

Thirteen months later, the ferry - filthy with river mud and silt - was raised back to the surface. By June, 1943, she was back in service.

A keen scholar of wartime happenings, Paul changes tack to seek help with his on-land researches.

He's curious to know about a small stretch off Crank Hill known as Gunsite Lane.

"I'd like to know what was there and also the positions of any other Civil Defence sites around the Merseyside area," says Paul.

He'd welcome any details, no matter how insignificant they might appear and any information or anecdotes on the area during this period would also be gratefully received.

IF any reader can help, then please drop me a line and I will pass your info on to Paul. The address is: Whalley's World, St Helens Star, YMCA Buildings, Duke Street, St Helens WA10 2HZ.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.