On this day in 1926, the first custom-built passenger Penzance - Scilly ferry, The Scillonian, completed its first commercial crossing.  Its owners, The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, had been founded on the basis of £20,000 of funding, much of which was raised from  Scillonians. Initial services were provided by a converted fisheries protection vessel which soon, due to the popularity of the service, proved inadequate for its role.

                                                                               

The new ferry was designed to carry 400 passengers as well as cargo and having completed her maiden voyage to St. Mary’s on 25th January 1925, she made a triumphant first arrival at Penzance eight days later with a journey time of  three and a quarter hours.  Despite the air service to Scilly, The Scillonian (since replaced by a succession of newer ships) is a delightful way to travel although a few passengers do get seasick due to the conflict between the tides of the English Channel and the Atlantic ocean.