Built: 1931 by Fairfield Shipbuilding Co. Govan, for the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company. Gross Tonnage: 1,586. Length: 269 ft. 7 in. Width: 37 ft 1 in. Machinery: Four double-reduction geared turbines. Speed: 18 Knots. 1939 Route: Seasonal services Liverpool-Llandudno, Llandudno-Anglesey, Landudno-Douglas, Isle of Man. From ships that saved an Army: Built to act in a supporting role to the Liverpool and North Wales Company's larger turbine steamer St. Tudno, the St. Seriol became equally well-known during the 1930's and was twenty miles out of Liverpool on a Sunday sailing to North Wales when news of the start of the war was received by radio. The vessel went on to land passengers at Llandudno before returning to Liverpool and was soon requisitioned and put to work as a troop transport out of Southampton. After taking a full load of men to Cherbourg on 20th May 1940, St. Seriol was ordered to Dover to embark units of the Canadian Provost Corps and sail to Calais, but the decision was later reversed and the troops put ashore again. On the 27th May St. Seriol was amongst the first large vessels to work off the beaches, sending her own lifeboats inshore to bring off troops. She was then ordered to Dunkirk Harbour and took off over 600 men and survived four air raids while this was in progress. Naval personnel relieved some crew members prior to crossing on 28th May and next day St. Seriol was sent from the harbour to the beaches and was nearby to rescue troops and crewmembers when the paddle steamer Crested Eagle was bombed and sunk. Later in the war St. Seriol operated between Scotland and Northern Ireland and, when released, was sent back to her builders for reconditioning prior to taking the first post war sailings from Liverpool at Easter 1946. Regular visits to the Isle of Man from Llandudno were added to the steamers traditional programme and St. Seriol continued in service until the end of the 1961 season. After being put up for sale at the beginning of 1962, she was bought by Belgian breakers and demolished at Ghent. Two trips to Dunkirk: 28th May arriving Folkstone at 0515 hrs with 494 troops. 30th May arriving Dover at 0720 hrs with 178 troops. Admiralty papers state that on 29th May the St. Seriol, after completing one round trip in the previous 24hrs , the Captain of the St. Seriol felt unable to sail and an officer, Lieutenant A R MacKewn, RNR, took the ship over and sailed at 1100 hrs. On her return voyage the ship was bombed and damaged. She did not sail again during this operation.
