The Lady of Mann I is one of the best remembered and loved vessels in the history of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

She was commissioned to begin service on the 100th anniversary of the company in 1930 and was the largest ship in its history at that point.

The ship, which had a distinguished war record, was the last pre-war vessel in the fleet. She was scrapped in 1971.

Before she left Douglas for the last time, Dudley Butt - then a detective constable in the police, later an MLC - was permitted on board to take some photos.

They will no doubt stir many of our readers’ memories of an older era in travel, one that predated car ferries and fast craft.

In 1940, Lady of Mann joined seven of her Steam Packet sisters at Dunkirk.

During the evacuation of Dunkirk, Lady of Mann is reputed to have lifted more troops to safety than any other vessel.

She was also involved in the D-Day landings in 1944.

As the Steam Packet looks forward to the construction of a new vessel, it is a good opportunity to look back at a fine example of its history.

She was commissioned to begin service on the 100th anniversary of the company in 1930 and was the largest ship in its history at that point.