The Tuxedo Royal aka TSS Dover
The Explore
This is one we've had on the cards for years now, but have never actually got round to doing, until now! Explored the ship with Borolad and a non member, access to the ship is fun and gives the explorer opportunity to use their creative side
We saw security doing their rounds a few times, so if you do visit make sure you have your wits about you...
Being on the ship is an awesome feeling, hearing water rushing into the corridors and walking around in itself is just weird with the ship listing at about a 25, 30 degree angle, might be enough to put some people off, but I was loving it tbh, not gonna lie! :crazy I wouldn't like to be on an actual sinking ship, but knowing I was safe, it was pretty cool!
History
It started life as the TSS Dover in March 1965 ware she was launched from Swan Hunter Ship Yard in Wallsend, Tyne & Wear. She was used for 11 years by British Rail as a Roll on Roll off Car Ferry on several routes. During the time with British Rail it was re named Earl Siward in July 1977. In November 1981 she was sold to Sol Ferries Ltd in Cyprus ware she received the name Sol Express. In 1983 after a major turbine failure she was laid up in Limassol till 1986 when she was sold to the Quadrini Group. Then in March that year she was towed all the Way to Newcastle ware she underwent a refit to become the floating CASINO/restaurant/night club and re named the Tuxedo Royale that most people come to know her by. She was situated under the Tyne Bridge from 1986 to 1993 when she was replaced by the Tuxedo Princess and the Tuxedo Royale was moved to Middlesbrough. The Tuxedo spent 13 years in Middlesbrough Dock until she was moved over to Able UK TERRC, Seaton Port to make way for the Middlehaven Redevelopment in April 2006. Then in January 2009 she was moved to Able UK Central Quay Middlesbrough. Between 2009 and 2011 the ship was a target for metal thieves stripping metal through the ship mainly from the Steam Turbine Engines on the lower decks. Due to this reckless vandalism the ship sunk to the bed of the Tees in May 2011. The ship still lies in this spot to this day listing at an angle due to the water the ship has taken on. (Researched by Borolad)
Picture Time (A little Pic heavy due to the awesomeness of the ship)
How she used to look back in service with British Rail... (Not my Pic)
Today... (Summer 2012 forgot to take externals...)
Let's take a Look around...
Sunrise
Heading down the ship...
The Restaurant and Bar at the Rear of the ship... With Morning tea!
Cigarettes and Alcohol...
At the bar...
To the Car Decks!
Corridor...
S.S. Dover Sounding Board
Diesel Generators...
On the Bridge!
Bolckow's Works on the redundant Able UK site...
Full steam ahead Skipper!
And finally one of the Mighty Transporter and the Stern of the Ship from the top of the radar tower!
And that's all folks, I'd love to share so many more from this, but just a small selection of faves, cheers for reading
The Explore
This is one we've had on the cards for years now, but have never actually got round to doing, until now! Explored the ship with Borolad and a non member, access to the ship is fun and gives the explorer opportunity to use their creative side
We saw security doing their rounds a few times, so if you do visit make sure you have your wits about you... Being on the ship is an awesome feeling, hearing water rushing into the corridors and walking around in itself is just weird with the ship listing at about a 25, 30 degree angle, might be enough to put some people off, but I was loving it tbh, not gonna lie! :crazy I wouldn't like to be on an actual sinking ship, but knowing I was safe, it was pretty cool!
History
It started life as the TSS Dover in March 1965 ware she was launched from Swan Hunter Ship Yard in Wallsend, Tyne & Wear. She was used for 11 years by British Rail as a Roll on Roll off Car Ferry on several routes. During the time with British Rail it was re named Earl Siward in July 1977. In November 1981 she was sold to Sol Ferries Ltd in Cyprus ware she received the name Sol Express. In 1983 after a major turbine failure she was laid up in Limassol till 1986 when she was sold to the Quadrini Group. Then in March that year she was towed all the Way to Newcastle ware she underwent a refit to become the floating CASINO/restaurant/night club and re named the Tuxedo Royale that most people come to know her by. She was situated under the Tyne Bridge from 1986 to 1993 when she was replaced by the Tuxedo Princess and the Tuxedo Royale was moved to Middlesbrough. The Tuxedo spent 13 years in Middlesbrough Dock until she was moved over to Able UK TERRC, Seaton Port to make way for the Middlehaven Redevelopment in April 2006. Then in January 2009 she was moved to Able UK Central Quay Middlesbrough. Between 2009 and 2011 the ship was a target for metal thieves stripping metal through the ship mainly from the Steam Turbine Engines on the lower decks. Due to this reckless vandalism the ship sunk to the bed of the Tees in May 2011. The ship still lies in this spot to this day listing at an angle due to the water the ship has taken on. (Researched by Borolad)
Picture Time (A little Pic heavy due to the awesomeness of the ship)
How she used to look back in service with British Rail... (Not my Pic)
Today... (Summer 2012 forgot to take externals...)
Let's take a Look around...
Sunrise
Heading down the ship...
The Restaurant and Bar at the Rear of the ship... With Morning tea!
Cigarettes and Alcohol...
At the bar...
To the Car Decks!
Corridor...
S.S. Dover Sounding Board
Diesel Generators...
On the Bridge!
Bolckow's Works on the redundant Able UK site...
Full steam ahead Skipper!
And finally one of the Mighty Transporter and the Stern of the Ship from the top of the radar tower!
And that's all folks, I'd love to share so many more from this, but just a small selection of faves, cheers for reading
