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Ulster Monarch

 

 

 

Coast Lines had been acquired by Lord Kylsant's Royal Mail Steam Packet group in 1917. The pioneering large passenger motorships of the Royal Mail group, including ships for White Star, Union-Castle and Royal Mail itself, are well known. In 1929, the Belfast SS Co received the first of three 3700ton Harland and Wolff motorships, the Ulster Monarch, displaying a cut down version of the standard two-funnelled outline. The second and third ships were delivered in 1930, and were named Ulster Queen and Ulster Prince. They were the world's first diesel cross-channel ships, and a fourth ship smaller ship, the Innisfallen, was delivered for the City of Cork SP Co. The Ulster Monarch was the only one of the initial trio to return to the Belfast SS service after WW2. She was scrapped in 1966.

 

 

Coast Lines Pages:-

Belfast SS History - Overview of the Liverpool-Belfast night boats.

Belfast SS Motorships - Detailed history of the Liverpool-Belfast motorships.

Belfast SS Car Ferries

Coast Lines - Header Page

P&O Ferries

H&W Motorships Page 1 - Belfast SS

H&W Motorships Page 2 - City of Cork SP Co

H&W Motorships Page 3 - Burns & Laird Line

H&W Motorships Page 4 - B&I SP Co

 

Associated Pages:-

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1929 Ulster Monarch

(Belfast SS)

 

 

In 1929, the Belfast SS Co received the first of three 3700ton Harland and Wolff motorships, the Ulster Monarch, displaying a cut down version of the standard two-funnelled outline. The second and third ships were delivered in 1930, and were named Ulster Queen and Ulster Prince. They were the world's first diesel cross-channel ships, and a fourth ship smaller ship, the Innisfallen, was delivered for the City of Cork SP Co. Ulster Monarch, was delivered with a light grey hull, but the colour proved to be impractical and was later replaced with black. The fornt of the boat deck beneath the bridge was originally open, but was soon enclosed with wooden-framed windows. In 1938, a blue band was added to the traditional red and black Belfast SS funnel, to make them to same as the new Burns & Laird colours applied to the first two standard motorships added to that fleet. There was talk of amalgamation of the two fleets at the time, but nothing came of it. The black hull was applied around the same time. The funnels reverted to red and balck after the war, and shortened funnels were installed to reduce top weight. This class was renowned for rolling in high seas. Ulster Monarch was the only one of the initial trio which returned to Belfast SS service after WW2. She was scrapped in 1966.

 

 

An early official Belfast SS card of Ulster Monarch, with original light grey hull, and before windows were added on the forward boat deck.

The Liverpool-Belfast route was marketed as the Ulster Imperial Line, which continued until after WW2.

 

 

A photograph of a lifeboat of Ulster Monarch

Scan: Jozef Sarens

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

Another official Belfast SS card of Ulster Monarch, with original light grey hull.

The boat deck beneath the bridge was protected with windows at an early stage - compare with the card above.

 

 

The blue version of the official Belfast SS card of Ulster Monarch shown above.

 

 

An official Belfast SS card of a single first class cabin on Ulster Monarch.

 

 

An W.E.Walton photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with original light grey hull.

The colour proved to be impractical and was later replaced with black. An early card - the boat deck beneath the bridge is not yet protected with windows.

 

 

An Nautical Photo Agency photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with original light grey hull.

 

 

An official Belfast SS colour card of Ulster Monarch.

In 1938, a blue band was added to the traditional red and black Belfast SS funnel, to make them to same as the

new Burns & Laird colours applied to the first two standard motorships added to that fleet. There was talk of

amalgamation of the two fleets at the time, but nothing came of it. The black hull was applied around the same time.

Click to open larger image in new window

 

 

An official Belfast SS postcard of Ulster Monarch.

 

 

Unidentified photographic postcard of Ulster Monarch in "Burns & Laird" colours.

 

 

A postwar official Belfast SS colour card of Ulster Monarch, after funnels reverted to red and black.

The Ulster Monarch was the only one of the trio to return to Belfast SS service after the war.

 

 

Another postwar official Belfast SS colour card of Ulster Monarch, after funnels reverted to red and black.

 

 

Photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with later black hull.

 

 

A B.& A. Fielden photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with later black hull.

 

 

Fielden photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with later black hull.

 

 

A Duncan photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with later black hull.

Ulster Monarch was withdrawn in 1966, and sold for scrap in Ghent. The Liverpool-Belfast service was

maintained by Scottish Coast and Irish Coast until the arrival of new car ferries Ulster Queen and Ulster Prince.

 

 

An interesting card of Ulster Monarch, with a Dublin boat astern, at Liverpool Pier Head.

 

 

Ulster Monarch on war service

 

 

Another postwar official Belfast SS colour card of Ulster Monarch.

This shows the shortened funnels applied to reduce top weight. This class was renowned for rolling in high seas.

 

 

A late official card of Ulster Monarch, with later small funnels.

 

 

Photographic card of Ulster Monarch, with later small funnels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coast Lines - Belfast SS History - Belfast SS Car Ferries - P&O Ferries

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