[4][5] On 14 December 1878, arriving at Liverpool from Ramsey in thick fog, the ship grounded on Burbo Bank off New Brighton, but was refloated the following day.

She was renamed Ellan Vannin (the Manx translation for Mona's Isle) on 16 November 1883, following her conversion to a propeller-driven ship.

Ellan Vannin was a twin-screw vessel driven by a two-cylinder compound steam engine made by Westray, Copeland and Co. at Barrow.

Indeed stormy weather appeared to be no deterrent to her, and it is reported that when up to 12 ocean liners had been taking shelter in Ramsey Bay, Ellan Vannin steamed through them as she made passage to Whitehaven and returned in the evening, the completion of her voyage being heralded by the ships sheltering in the bay sounding their whistles.

[1] Ellan Vannin became looked upon as a mascot of the Steam Packet fleet,[1] and known by Manx sailors as the Li'l Daisy.

On Friday 3 December 1909, Ellan Vannin left her home port of Ramsey at 01:13, under the command of her master, 37-year-old Captain James Teare.

[9] During the summer of 1909 Teare was in command of the King Orry[9] and had only joined the Ellan Vannin the day before her ill-fated voyage.

[9] Ellan Vannin was carrying 15 passengers and 21 crew as well as mail and 60 tonnes of cargo which included approximately 60 sheep.

The wind direction on departure was from the northwest meaning Ellan Vannin would have a following sea during her passage – something which would have caused her master no particular concern.

[9] However, the weather rapidly worsened and by 06:35, when the ship arrived at the Mersey Bar lightvessel, the wind had risen to hurricane force 12, and waves were reported to be exceeding 24 feet (7 m) in height.

[9] It was also reported that the crew of the lightship had picked up a mail bag which was destined for the Birkenhead Post Office and which was found to contain letters despatched from Ramsey.

[9] The following morning the company offices in Douglas received a telegram from Liverpool stating that one of the Ellan Vannin's lifeboats had been washed ashore at New Brighton with its cover on and its working gear inside.

The official inquiry referred to waves 24 feet (7 m) high and declared the ship to have been in good condition and fully seaworthy.

Soon after the disaster the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board destroyed the wreck using explosives, as it was causing a hazard to shipping in the channel.

[12] The Ellan Vannin Tragedy, a song written by Hughie Jones of the British folk band The Spinners, commemorates the disaster.

To mark the centenary of the tragedy, in 2009 the Isle of Man Post Office issued two stamps, picturing Ellan Vannin and Captain Teare.

William Kelly, of Mill St, Castletown, although sailing as deck crew was a Licensed mariner who had served as Second Officer on the Tynwald during the summer.

Kelly's brother was also in the employ of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and was also serving on the Ellan Vannin leaving the ship only a day or so before the sailing.

Mark Joughin of Ballawhannell, Bride, Isle of Man, was on his way to America to make enquiries into an estate which had been left to him.

[15] Two of the passengers, Daniel Newell of Croydon, Surrey, and Walter Williams of Earl's Court, London, were engaged in carrying out stone work on the Catholic church, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

[18] Her younger siblings were born variously in Bombay, India, and Bermuda, suggesting that the family was well travelled - William rose to be an examiner with the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich.