Historical information

Erin's Isle was a paddle steamer built in 1912 by Messrs. A. & J. Inglis Pointhouse, Glasgow, for the Belfast and County Down Railway Company. It provided a regular service between Belfast Lough and Bangor, County Down in the summer season.

In November 1915 it was requisitioned by the Admiralty, initially for transport purposes, and later as an auxiliary mine sweeper. Surviving World War One, this vessel as lost on 7 February 1919 after hitting a stray mine at the entrance of the Thames Estuary and immediately sank. There were 23 lives lost, and 28 survivors.

Bangor is a city in Gwynedd Unitary Authority, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain.

This postcard was sent home to Australia by a six bob a day tourist, and member of the Australian AIF on active service. During leave soldiers often visited tourists sites, family, or towns important to their ancestral heritage.

Physical description

A view of paddle steamer with three moored mail steamers are visible to the left, and a pier and lamp on right. A ship can be seen iin distance on right.

Inscriptions & markings

S.S Erin's Isle off down to Bangor