SS Ellan Vannin (1854) the £14,000 reputed to have been available in 1856) a sum which the directors and shareholders present would not accept. Again the "Ellan Vannin" resumed revenue service whilst further attempts were made to find a buyer. The "Ellan Vannin's" final excursion took her across to the coast lines of County Louth and County Down via Carlingford Lough on 25 June, before she left the Isle of Man for good. Finally the Directors of the Castletown Steam Navigation Company (by now in serious financial difficulties) managed to find a buyer. "Ellan Vannin" was sold to Cunard & Wilson who were acting
SS Ellan Vannin (1854) the result being a dead heat. Subsequently the "Ellan Vannin" sailed down the channel as far as the Bell Buoy and back, during the course of which her speed was gauged by Captain Ponsonby on board the "Mobile". A two knot tide was running against her, however the "Ellan Vannin" covered the distance from the Northwest Lightship to the Rock Lighthouse in 1 hour 12 minutes. Luncheon was then served, the directors being joined by John Laird who had been on deck observing the trial. The "Ellan Vannin" made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Castletown on Tuesday 1 August,