1959 (Autumn): Ordered. April 5th 1961: Launched for by Mrs D.H. Cameron of Lochiel for Caledonian Steam Packet Co. Ltd. The vessel was the successor to the PRINCESS VICTORIA, and was the last of a very long line of railway steamers to be built at Denny’s. The ship introduced a new funnel marking having the Caledonian red lion rampant on each side of the yellow portion of the funnel.“She combines the facilities of a modern passenger liner with the ability to carry cars and trailers, which are driven on and off by the stern. To seal the stern opening there is a massive watertight door, opening upwards and outwards, and held in the position by safety latches (Glasgow Herald)”. September 23rd 1961: Sea Trials in the Firth of Clyde. A knock developed in the starboard engine and she was returned to the builder.
 Roy Thornton Collection
November 24th 1961: Delivered to British Transport Commission, London home port Stranraer. October 2nd 1961: Due to enter service, but developed a defect in her starboard turbine gearing and she was retired to dry-dock at Greenock. The fault was worse than first thought and she was forced to return to Dumbarton where the offending turbine was opened up and rectified. November 25th 1961: Arrived at Stranraer and had “open days” on both sides of the North Channel. December 16th 1961 - July 6th 1971: Maiden voyage then operated service for Caledonian Steam Packet Co. (Irish Services) Ltd between Stranraer - Larne.
 Roy Thornton Collection
January 1st 1963: British Railways Board succeeded British Transport Commission. July 6th 1964: In summer SLEIVE DONARD joined her to carry 60 cars, but with their passengers being aboard CALEDONIAN PRINCESS. 1965 (summer): SLEIVE DONARD was unpopular so she was replaced by LOHENGRIN January 1st 1967: Vessels were painted in the new livery of British Railways, (blue hull and red funnels) and the “Double -Arrow”, and for tax avoidance purposes ownership registered to British Railways Board.June 26th 1968: Day charter and became the first stern loader to visit Douglas I.O.M
   Matt Murtland Collection (HHV Ferry)
July 5th 1968 - September 5th 1968: Operated between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire, returning to Stranraer for the winter.
  Roy Thornton Collection
January 1st 1969: Registered to British Transport Ship Management (Scotland) Ltd. Given side loading doors.
 Roy Thornton Collection
May 20th 1969 - July 8th 1969: Operated between Fishguard - Rosslare. July 9th 1969 - August 3rd 1969: Operated between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire. August 4th 1969 - October 11th 1969: Operated between Fishguard - Rosslare. February 16th 1970 - February 23rd 1970: Operated between Heysham - Belfast. May 1970 - September 1970: Operated between Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire.
 Roy Thornton Collection
December 12th 1970 - January 1971: Operated between Fishguard - Rosslare. March 1971: Commenced service between Heysham - Belfast. July 7th 1971: Commenced service between Fishguard - Rosslare.
 Roy Thornton Collection
November 1st 1971 - November 25th 1971: Operated between Stranraer - Larne.May 11th 1972 - June 21st 1972: Operated between Newhaven - Dieppe for B.R./S.N.C.F. May 14th 1972: During heavy storms at Dieppe damaged her belting and was off service for three days. June 20th 1972: Completed Newhaven crossings and left for Fishguard. June 27th 1972 - September 1972: Operated between Fishguard - Rosslare.
Fishguard, September 1972 , Roy Thornton Collection
September 26th 1974 - October 26th 1974: Used between Weymouth - Cherbourg . October 29th 1974 : Services between Fishguard - Rosslare. June 19th 1975: Last day in operation between Fish guard - Rosslare. 1975: Laid up in reserve at Newhaven. July 15th 1975: Again took up service between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey. January 31st 1976: Completed service between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey. February 1976: Proceeded to Immingham where she was altered for the new multi-purpose role on the Channel Islands service. Reclassified details. May 12th 1976 - December 14th 1976: After rebuild, resumed service between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey, from where she went to Fishguard acting as relief. January 18th /19th 1976 - February 1976 (early): Again operated between Newhaven - Dieppe. April 1978 - May 1st 1978: Dry docking, then resumed Weymouth - Channel islands service. December 1978: En-route Channel Islands -Weymouth, she was forced to put into Cherbourg. All animals aboard had to go into UK anti-rabies quarantine for six months. October 12th 1979 - November 15th 1979: Operated between Heysham - Belfast. May 1st 1980: Operated as cover, for the EARL WILLIAM which suffered generator problems, between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey. May 1979: Commenced service between Stranraer - Larne. 1981 - May 3rd 1981: Operated between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey. May 31st 1981 - September 26th 1981: After rebuild in Avonmouth operated between Dover - Boulogne.
Stéphane Poulain Collection
October 11th 1981: Laid up in Newhaven. 1981: Plans to convert the sale-listed vessel into a five class ship for service between Port Harcourt and Lagos fell through after an import embargo was imposed by the Nigerian government. December 14th 1982: Sold to Michael Quadrini Group.
 
Newhaven 27/12/1982, © John Jones (left) and © Andy Gilbert (right)
February 27th 1983: Towed to Gateshead, Tyne by the tug PULLWELL DELTA for planned conversion to a leisure/entertainments complex. Registered to Riverzest Ltd, and renamed TUXEDO PRINCESS.
Roy Thornton Collection
November 29th 1984: A minor fire broke out on board the vessel and the damage caused was easily repaired. July 1988: Towed to Glasgow and laid up as an entertainments ship. 1996: Renamed CALEDONIAN PRINCESS. May 15th 1998: Towed from Glasgow to Newcastle, later renamed TUXEDO PRINCESS.
 
© John Jones (left) and © Robert J Smith (right)
December 2007: Information suggested that, as a result of the regeneration of Gateshead Quayside, her days on the Tyne were limited. She was due to close after a 2007 New Years Eve party and suggestions were that she would be moved to Northern Ireland where she would continue as an entertainments ship. July 26th 2008: Under the tow of the local tugs Yarm Cross and Svitzer Maltby the Tuxedo Princess is moved from Gateshead down the river Tyne to Northumbrian Quay, North Shields to await a tow to Piraeus, Greece.
   July 26th 2008. Tuxedo Princess being towed down the River Tyne and passing the Millennium bridge © Ken Lubi
July 28th 2008: The Tuxedo Princess departs Newcastle for the last time under tow from the Greek registered tug Pantodynamos bound for Piraeus. It is believed that Greece is just a stop off point before a journey to the breakers in either Turkey or Alang , India.
July 30th 2008: Tuxedo Princess passes the Port of Dover for the last time under the tow of the tug Pantodynamos 12th August 2008: Photographed in Piraeus, Greece having been renamed Prince.
  
© Fotis Marinelis (http://shippix.fotopic.net/)
22nd August 2008: Photographed in Piraeus, Greece.
 © Frank Lose
September 2008: Scrapped in Turkey
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Technical Data
History
