SS Ellan Vannin (1883) those who were dependants of the deceased, the Steam Packet contributed £1,000 to this fund. It was set up by "The Daily Telegraph" at writer Hall Caine’s instigation. Caine headed the list of contributors and wrote a poem "The Loss of the Ellan Vannin". The crew of 21 included one woman, a Mrs. Collister, of Crosby, Isle of Man, who left one child. The 20 men were survived by 18 widows and 70 children. All but two of the crew lived on the Isle of Man. Five of the passengers came from off Island, the rest from the north of
SS Ellan Vannin (1854) and also between Castletown and Liverpool. During passage in order to maximise revenue she would invariably call at Douglas en route. In March 1856 she commenced a service from Douglas via Castletown to Kingstown, and also served Holyhead from Castletown. "Ellan Vannin" also operated an excursion from Castletown via Peel to Strangford Lough in the summer of 1856 so as her passengers could attend the Ardglass Regatta. At a meeting held at the Union Hotel, Castletown, on Monday 11 August 1856, a gift in the form of a gold chronometer was presented to Capt. Skillicorn in recognition of his efficient