Conister had a registered tonnage of 891 GRT and was powered by a 7-cylinder T.D.36 Sulzer engine which developed 1,260 indicated horsepower.

It was first expected that Peveril, operating alongside Ramsey would be able to meet this demand and the company sold their other general cargo vessel, Fenella at the beginning of 1973.

The Spaniel was chartered as a container ship by the Steam Packet Company early in 1973, and bought outright by them in November of that year.

By the early 1980s it was apparent to the Steam Packet that in order to compete with their then rival Manxline, the introduction of a RO-RO cargo service was necessary.

Conister was sold to Asturamerican Shipping Co Inc, Panama, and arrived in Spain on 29 September 1981 for scrapping.