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) by two oscillating marine engines with tubular boilers, built by Messrs. Fawcett, Preston & Co. (similar to those installed in the "Countess of Ellesmere") which developed , driving two paddle wheels of 16' diameter which were fitted with feathered floats. The paddle floats were "feathered" so as to help to reduce vibration which could be common in early marine steam engines. She was divided into five water tight compartments had accommodation for 100 tons of cargo and a bunker capacity for 40 tons of coal. "Ellan Vannin" was said to be a remarkably handsome vessel, having a smart rakish appearance,