10/5/03: Final Voyage of the ex Ionic Ferry II
After her fire in May 2002 the Millenium Express II, formerly the Ionic Ferry (II) of the Larne to Cairnryan route (1986-1992), has been laid up in near Elefsis Town in Greece. After an extended lay up of one year, the inevitable next move to the breaker's yard has now finally happened.
She left her lay up berth and proceeded to sea for the final time under tow on the 9th of April 2003. Her final destination was the breaker's yard at Aliaga, Turkey. On her arrival at the beach in Aliaga she would have been driven aground and then gradually cut down deck by deck.
Below are some pictures taken by Harris Alexandris of her passing through the straits at Salamina Island passing out of Elefsis Bay on her last journey to the scrap yard.
The three photos laid out above show the Millenium
Express II leaving Elefsis Bay on her last trip to scrapping at Aliaga in
Turkey. All photos Harris Alexandris
Whilst it is sad to see her in this burned out state, this last trip to the scrap yard was the inevitable outcome of her fire in March 2002. Rather than let her go in this sorry state I present these last two photos of her hard at work, something more fitting to remember her by.
The Ionic Ferry's P&O postcard (released by Ferry
Publications) showing her on passage in the North Channel. This image
captures her shape and also clearly shows the tiny P&O flag on her funnel
which was always difficult to see. Her poop deck is loaded with some
articulated trailers, this deck could also hold a few more trailers under the roof of the aft
accommodation. This was the location of cabins during her Southampton days
as the Dragon. The cabins were removed during a refit at Glasgow in
1986, just prior to
her transfer to the Larne to Cairnryan route. (Larne Ferry Web collection)
In another excellent photo, kindly donated by Harris, the
former Ionic Ferry is pictured at Greece's second city of Thessaloniki
under the name Memed Abashidze. She carried this name while
operating for Gesco Line from 1998 to 2000. This low angle shot captures
the vessel's fine lines.
Links:
Ionic Ferry's page on Larne Ferry Web
Update on Ionic Ferry in Greece posted 11th March 2003
Ionic Ferry's page on faktaomfartyg
Ionic Ferry on Simplon Postcards
Updated: 14/02/05