Our history

The history of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group is one of grasping opportunities and rising to challenges. In 1920, the people of the Isles of Scilly came together to form a company to deliver a regular and reliable transport link to the mainland. We are that company.

During the winter months the islands were often isolated completely and it wasn’t until 1920 that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company was formed with the intention of providing a year-round passenger and cargo service.

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company was founded with £20,000 raised by selling shares, mostly to islanders.

The first Scillonian was commissioned to carry 400 passengers as well as freight and within a few years had built up a considerable day-trip market. Tourism began to challenge flower farming as the main driver of the island economy, although the flower industry still flourishes and we carry 20 million stems to the mainland each year.

The sea crossing from the mainland can be a difficult one, particularly in winter and in 1984 we bought Land’s End Airport and began to run Skybus, initially as a freight operation. Skybus now operates a year-round passenger service from Land’s End Airport which the islanders have come to rely on as an important part of the lifeline link as well as a motivator for tourism.

Scillonian II and III on Scillonian III 1st sailing day at St Mary's Quay

The current vessel to carry the Scillonian name was designed and built specifically for the task. Launched in 1977, it is now due for replacement.

2019 saw the beginning of a project to replace Scillonian III, Gry Maritha and the inter-island freight vessel Lyonesse Lady. Once the ship builds are complete, the Group will provide a new generation of services to the Isles of Scilly and with that comes an improvement in the quality of life for many residents.

We strive to be at the forefront of thinking and technology and continue to explore new revenue streams and opportunities such as the Isles of Scilly drone project and, working with academic institutions to look at the opportunity of operating hydrogen-powered aircraft in the future.

The story of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and of the islanders is one of perseverance and innovation, of commitment and entrepreneurship. These qualities seem to be as much a part of life on and around the islands as the tides themselves.

Over the past century of service, we have welcomed millions of passengers and we look forward to many more milestones in the years to come.

Skybus twin otter in 25 year livery at land's end airport

Scillonian III and Gry Maritha next to each other in Penzance

Our timeline

1919

How it started

A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on St. Mary’s on Thursday, 15th May, to consider the possibility of maintaining or arranging for a steamship service between the islands and the mainland. There were about 95 persons present, and Mr FR Ward was voted to the Chair. On the 22nd November a limited liability company was formed with a nominal capital of £25,000.

1920

The Steamship Company was formed

The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated 26th March 1920, and that of the right of the Company to commence business, dated 27th April 1920. The Argus was purchased, an ex-Royal Navy ship, she was renamed ‘Peninnis’. She carried passengers to and from the islands for 6 years, before costly repairs meant it was time for her to retire.

1925

Scillonian ordered

We ordered the first of our purpose-built Scillonian passenger ferries, from the Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Scotland. A grand, steam-powered vessel that could carry 165 tons of cargo and 390 passengers, the ferry cut the journey from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly down to just over 3 hours.

1926

Scillonian maiden voyage

On the 2nd February 1926 Scillonian makes her first official voyage. Soon, she’s ready for service, and passengers are stepping aboard to discover the islands.

1929

Growing market

Scillonian builds up a strong day trip market by appealing to holidaymakers and we work together with Great Western Railways so tickets could be purchased from Paddington Station (London) for the sleeper train to arrive in Penzance for the morning sailing.

1932

Launch boats

In our early days we also ran launch boats, carrying islanders and freight to St Martin's, Tresco, Bryher and St Agnes. The return fare to St Mary's was one shilling and school children travelled for free.

Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's St Mary's office

1938

New office

A new office was needed as the company expanded, the Duchy of Cornwall offered a site in Hugh Street. We are still in this office today.

1941

Wartime

During the second World War (1939-45) a gun was placed on the stern of Scillonian; Scillonian was drafted in as part of the Ministry of War Transport. In wartime, Scillonian was captained by Captain J Reseigh (who later received an MBE for his war time efforts); never missed a sailing, despite fog, storms, enemy planes, submarines and mines. She made 3,173 crossings then, carrying 40,000 troops without the loss of a single life and travelling an aggregate of 150,000 miles in the process.

1947

Lady of the Isles

A new 125 person passenger launch ‘The Lady of the Isles’ was built for the inter-island traffic, but was later sold as the visitor trade was not yet sufficient. Today, the inter-island boating is serviced by a collective group of independent boat operators on the Isles of Scilly.

1952

Scillonian (II) ordered

Scillonian starts to show her age and gets slower as the company struggles to find coal stokers. So, in 1952 we order a replacement ship, Scillonian (II), from Messrs Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton.

1956

Scillonian (II) maiden voyage

Scillonian (II) launched on the 15th November 1956 and she sails faithfully for 25 years. To enable Islanders to see the launch of the second Scillonian in 1956, arrangements were made to take them by special coaches from Penzance to Southampton.

1965

Queen of the Isles

A new ship – ‘Queen of the Isles’ was commissioned as a passenger and cargo ship for the Isles of Scilly to augment the service already provided by the RMV Scillonian. She ran for 5 years until the tourism economy declined.

1977

Scillonian III

We order our third Scillonian ferry in 1975. The new ship is built in Appledore, North Devon, and launched on the 17th May 1977. RMV Scillonian III is the same ship that carriers up to 485 passengers to and from Isles of Scilly today. She is powered by diesel, and has two on-board cafes to choose from.

1984

Air travel

We take our first steps into air travel and develop the Skybus airline as a faster way to transport passengers and freight. By 1987 this expands to offer scheduled, commercial flights. Today, Skybus has a large fleet, and offers regular flights to the Isles of Scilly from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter airports.

1989

Gry Maritha

We expanded to further support the islands with the purchase of a Norwegian freight ship ‘Gry Maritha’ for a year-round freight service to the islands.

1991

Lyonesse Lady

We purchase ‘Lyonesse Lady’ a general inter-island freight service vessel, that is still running today.

1994

Swift Lady

The Swift Lady was built and entered service as the islands' post boat.

2009

Penzance Dry Dock

We took over the lease of the Penzance Dry Dock until 2021 when we decided not to renew and new owners were found.

2013

New terminal

We build a completely new terminal at Land’s End Airport and in 2014 we invested a further £2.6 million to successfully surface the grass runways and include runway draining and lighting.

2015

Island Carriers

Island Carriers was acquired, to provide haulage and courier services on St Mary’s.

2015

Community Fund

Our Community Fund was created with the aim of supporting a wide range of not-for-profit projects which provide long-lasting benefits for the communities of the Isles of Scilly and west Cornwall.

2017

40 years

Scillonian III celebrates 40 years of faithful service and in 2019 she welcomed our 4.5 millionth ferry passenger.

2020

100 Years

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group celebrates 100 years of service, providing essential transport links for both passengers and freight between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland.

2024

New vessels ordered

Contracts are signed with Piriou to build and deliver two new vessels (Scillonian IV and Menawethan) securing the long-term future of passenger and freight supplies to and from the Isles of Scilly.

Gugh - landing craft - new vessel - Isles of Scilly Steamship Group

2024

New landing craft

We signed contracts on a new landing craft (Gugh) to meet increasing demand for freight deliveries to the Isles of Scilly.