S.S. Royal Iris Mersey Ferryboat Royal Navy Zeebrugge Raid Vintage RPPC Postcard for Sale

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S.S. Royal Iris Mersey Ferryboat Royal Navy Zeebrugge Raid Vintage RPPC Postcard For Sale

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S.S. Royal Iris Mersey Ferryboat Royal Navy Zeebrugge Raid Vintage RPPC Postcard:
$44.95

\"S.S. Royal Iris - 3/31/1919\" Vintage Postcard
featuring what would appear to be the decommissioning from the Royal Navy and returning to civilian duties.
Photo details a Captain / Military person, civilians in various period dress (Wigs, Bowlers, etc)
Brief history:
SSRoyal Iriswas aMersey Ferryboatbuilt in 1906 forWallasey Corporation. She was built asIrisfor service on theRiver Mersey. In 1918 she was requisitioned by theRoyal Navyfor action during theZeebrugge Raid. She was renamedRoyal Irisin recognition of her part in this action and returned to civilian duties. She was sold in 1931 and renamedBlarneyin 1946. She was scrapped in December 1961.
Zeebrugge Raid In 1918 Iris was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to take part in the Zeebrugge Raid, being renamed HMS Iris II. On St George\'s Day 23 April 1918, Iris along with another Mersey ferry, Daffodil, was towed across the English Channel to Zeebrugge by Vindictive. Embarked were four platoons - known as \"A\" Company (or \"The Chatham Company\") of the Fourth Battalion of Royal Marines, and a storming party of sailors - known as \"D\" Company - commanded by Major Eagles and Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford respectively. They were supported by two Vickers machine-gun sections and two Stokes mortar crews.[3] When the ship neared the Zeebrugge Mole she cast the two ferries aside. Iris endeavoured to pull up to the mole under heavy fire in order to off-load the raiding parties which were on board. The first attempt failed as the grapple-hooks were not large enough. Two naval officers, Lieutenant Commander Bradford and Lieutenant Hawkings bravely climbed ashore and under heavy fire attempted to secure the ship. Both were killed and Bradford received a posthumous Victoria Cross. Iris continued to sustain heavy fire and at one point a shell burst through the deck into an area where 56 marines were preparing to land. 49 were killed and the rest seriously injured. After the war, a brass plaque, listing those who died aboard the Iris was mounted on the vessel. When she was decommissioned, the plaque was given to the Imperial War Museum collection.(wikipedia)
Please be certain to view all the photos/scans provided above and make use of the magnification tool for more detail. All scans are high quality and will provide you all you need to determine the condition. I welcome questions.