The smaller vessel just behind MONA'S QUEEN (V) is the WOODCHURCH.
Built in 1959 by Philip & Sons Ltd., Dartmouth, England for the Mersey Ferries Limited (Meryside Passenger Transportation), Liverpool, England.
29 October 1959 launched under the name WOODCHURCH.
Tonnage 464 ton, displacement, dim 46.32 x 12.20m.
Two Crossley 8 cyl. diesel engines 1.4000 bbh., manufactured by Crossley Bros. Ltd. of Manchester, twin screws.
Space for 1200 passengers.
The Birkenhead Corporation placed an order with the Philip & Son Limited yard at Dartmouth, Devon, to build two new ferries in November 1957.
Named after two local areas, the ships were christened MOUNTWOOD and WOODCHURCH.
She had three decks and can carry 1200 passengers. The upper deck has a forward shelter in which to sit, immediately beneath the bridge, as well as saloon accommodation both fore and aft.
They were the first diesel-powered ships in the Birkenhead Fleet. Used in the service across the Mersey from Liverpool.
In May 1961, the new MOUNTWOOD suffered a main engine failure with a full load of passengers on board crossing the river. The WOODCHURCH came along side to take the passengers to safety.
In early 1981 as an economic measure, the WOODCHURCH was taken out of service and laid up in Morpeth dock for nearly three years. During this time the ship was cannibalized to help keep the other two ferries MOUNTWOOD and OVERCHURCH running. During this period, the ship was for sale but noting materialized.
In late 1983, the decision was made to bring the WOODCHURCH back to service to establish the 20-minute frequency of the ferries on the Mersey.
In 1987 the WOODCHURCH suffered a fire, which put the lower deck buffet and shop out of action for a while. They were resited one deck higher until the damage could be repaired.
In 1989, the WOODCHURCH was taken out of service for main engine repairs and refurbishment. During the next six months the ferry was transformed in what amounted to a major rebuild. The WOODCHURCH was the first of the rebuilt ferries to return to service in July 1990. The rebuild resulted in the extended working life of the vessel for many years.
During 1990, a new triangular service was introduced that involved sailing downstream from the Pier head, Liverpool to Seacombe and then onto Woodside.
The WOODCHURCH was formerly owned by Birkenhead Corporation and was originally built for use on the Woodside service.
2004 she had a major refit of £ 3.5 million by the A&P Birkenhead yard and Mersey Heritage Ship Repair.
24 June 2004 returned to Mersey Ferries after her refit.
19 August 2004 renamed by Mrs. Sandra Howard, wife of Councillor George Howard, vice chair of Merseytravel which operates the ferry. She was renamed SNOWDROP. She was named after an earlier ferry SNOWDROP built 1884.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2008: IMO NO 8633724, owned by Mersey Ferries.
Isle of Man 1993 £1 sg. 555.
http://www.merseyshipping.co.uk/photofe ... 180804.htm
The other vessel on the stamp is the Queen Elisabeth 2, and she is on many stamps.
Sources: http://www.north-cheshire-marine.org.uk Watercraft Philately Vol50 page 26.