Steam Packet
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (Manx: Sheshaght Phaggad Bree Ellan Vannin) is the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world, beginning its operations in 1830, and celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2005. The company provides freight, passenger and vehicle services between the port of Douglas, Isle of Man and four ports in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
A year-round service for passengers, vehicles (including coaches) and freight operates between Heysham and the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet Company is currently part of Macquarie Bank, an Australian investment bank.
History
Prior to 1830, there were other shipping companies serving the Isle of Man, but the smuggling trade which was rampant at the time and caused considerable loss to the British Revenue service led to the Crown purchasing the Isle of Man from the Atholl family in 1765, and the British army moved in.
Two years after this, the British government organised a weekly packet boat service between Douglas and Whitehaven, to service the new garrison on the Isle of Man, and this was the origin of the present day Steam Packet Company.