Mission Onboard the Abandoned Duke of Lancaster

[@dylanSNL816]

Yes! Being local, this ship was a massive part of my childhood and I've always wanted a good urbex channel to explore it, my wish has come true!

[@davidtanycoed]

same👍

[@sidlittle8658]

Same

[@TheAnonyy]

Why didn't they just scrap it. It looks like an eye sore can you imagine the mess it'll be in 30 years it'll look even worse then.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

​@@TheAnonyyYeah it needs to be cut up. And why are they even bothering with Seca? Just open it up the New Wave Urbex smashcrews will bust it up and strip it ready for the torchmen.

[@leeallen1407]

@@TheAnonyy The Owner ( ex Wolves player John rowley ) basically keeps it there to annoy the council now think it cost's £100k a year to keep it there , The local council are very corrupt hence why it's been closed since 90's .The owner just got fed up with battling the council so just closed it

[@christopherbyrd5818]

You guys are alright. Very respectful and no foul launguage. No vandalism or childish behavior. Cool. Keep up the good work fellas!

[@r2trogly]

It's little wonder that chap hasn't got on with the local council with that attitude. So glad you got to see it well done lads.

[@quantic7722]

Probably pissed off as the council are notouriously corrupt. Unfortunately its the reason she's been derelict for so long. Its a really interesting and frustrating story to read up on.

[@Delred1]

​@@quantic7722well those idiot councillors have cost the local economy!

[@leeallen1407]

That's the owners son , The owner John Rowley is ex Wolves player who owns the ship, now lives in Romania hence his son being there

[@peterdavis3934]

Threatening behaviour and attempted theft, the lad whoever he is should be careful.🤡

[@ALLTHINGSTV1]

Hes not the own the chap who owns it has had it over 50 years Which men that gobby fool there would havd bougjt it before he was born

[@dianadaly6793]

Wow the owner was a bit on the aggressive side, i remember going round that ship as a child with my mum and dad. It brought a tear to my eye seeing how much it had decayed. Sadly being 57 now I doubt i will ever see it restored and a vistor attraction again in my lifetime. At the time I believe it closed due to fire regulations, they wanted to operate a nightclub on there but fire engines were unable to get under the low railway bridge. The ship was put there to bypass Sunday trading laws as shops had to close on a Sunday, with it being a ship it was allowed to stay open on a Sunday. Its been many years since I moved away from Rhyl but whenever I visit i still eagerly look out the trains window to see the Duke. Thanks lads for a great video, so many memories 🥰

[@topbanana4013]

owner had every right and he was fair he could have called the cops have then done for trespassing its that aggression that has kept that ship intact. he was more concerned about stealing when he was asking about the van. it turned when he asked for his name. the guy should have been more apologetic did not have to say his name but he got bit smart stubborn forgetting he is trespassing

[@finlaywightman7126]

Idiot American. It's definitely fine. Will not get done​@@topbanana4013

[@Andolf10001]

@@topbanana4013trespassing is a civil matter not a criminal offence unless they remain or return after they have been asked to leave. Then it becomes aggravated trespassing.

[@grimreaperbadboy]

​@Andolf10001 exactly people like this div above think think police actually prosecute for tress pass 😂😂 u ain't in America m8 😂😂😂

[@darrenwright797]

​@@topbanana4013sounds like you might be the 3 foot little angry wanker?

[@alancroke2543]

In 1978 I was 13 years old. My family travelled home to Ireland to visit our relatives. We were caught in a force 10/12 gale, which the Irish Sea was notorious for. No one on The Duke of Lancaster thought we were going to make it from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. But we did. Had no idea this ship still existed. 6 weeks later (end of summer holidays), we travelled back to the UK on the St Columba (a couple of years old ferry). Both ferries were operated by Sealink. The sea was very calm. Indeed the day after arriving in Dublin, we were standing on Howth Head looking out across a mirror finish emerald green Dublin Bay. The night before we thought the boat was going to sink!

[@themessenger4610]

Had a similar experience on Her , she was flat bottomed with no stablisers 😮, I was 11..

[@englishmadcow7461]

Sealink did isle of wight also, we'd take a trip on them.

[@liamholt2618]

As a local to the area who has seen this ship hundreds of times from the outside but has never seen the inside I found this incredibly interesting as I'll likely never get to see it fully with my own eyes which is a great shame as with a good bit of TLC and a new path from the bottom road I cannot see any reason this couldn't be a brilliant attraction to the region. It's sad to see it left to rot with no purpose and guarded by a seemingly very sad little angry man. Thanks for documenting it for us all and apologies for that miserable sods attitude.

[@lesleycouch6557]

Yes it's very interesting, the man was aggressive and going on about his property, but what is he doing to look after and maintain that property? Seems he's just leaving it to rot. The lads maybe shouldn't have been there, but they seem to have more interest and respect for the vessel than the actual owner.

[@tripwire3992]

@@lesleycouch6557he painted the sides black too far up and called it a day he's doing a grand total of F.A with it

[@stomlinson32ify]

He was not happy you’d slipped past his probably expensive. “Tight” security 😂. Great explore guys 👍

[@logicfxtrading2280]

Thanks for the tour lads. Back in the 60s and early 70s I used to travel on this ship from Belfast to Heysham along with my Mum and Grandmother. From Heysham we would get the train to London and visit my aunt and uncles. They all served during the war and met English partners. They're all gone now except Mum who is soldiering on at the grand old age of 90. That was a nice wee trip down memory lane. Thank you.

[@frasermathers2287]

Well once again I have to say, that this is my favorite video so far. The level of commitment to the explore from the planning, the logistics, entry and exit methods to of course the wonderful filming and narration is as always outstanding. I also really loved that we seen more of the interaction between all of you during the visit. You were also very respectful as always as to not causing any damage or disturbance and in particular, even although the person at the end was trying to be the big man, you still showed respect whilst making it very clear you understood your rights. Please keep at it and bring us more great explores, as the condition of the vessel from the massive decay to the almost untouched areas were outstanding. Thanks lads

[@leeallen1407]

The big man at the end was the owners Son ..hence being aggressive towards them

[@Richardturpentine]

Surprised the council haven’t used the Environmental hazard ☢️ angle on the owners to get this cleaned up if they so wish

[@PrototypeNo98]

@@leeallen1407 Does he have a right to be angry? Yes. Does he have the right to behave the way he did? Definitely Not. I can wager he broke more laws than the boys who were merely tresspassing. Complete lack of decorum and there's no defending it.

[@Bella-ij5hq]

He looks the type of bloke to have a big grow going on aboard the ship

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

That's exactly what's going on below deck.

[@matthewcorcoran2891]

A big grow? Of what?

[@SupportIsraelLGBTQ]

​@matthewcorcoran2891 that green plant obviously

[@rorycarroll9870]

😂

[@andrewphillips4508]

@@matthewcorcoran2891 sweet herbs perhaps parsley 🌿

[@leon.thomas16]

Handled the guy at the end well seeing as he was trying to get it on with you🤣funny how he tried to blackmail you with your rope. Great video as per !

[@squaddingquads]

The level of respect you guys show places is an example TO ANYONE who wants to do the same. That angle small man at the end though, that wasn't on at all. Hopefully he's watched the video and reached out to correct the error of his ways?

[@leeallen1407]

The Bloke at the end has a right to get angry , he is the Son of the owner of the ship ..

[@danielkarmy4893]

@@leeallen1407 He is an animal, not a bloke.

[@HippyRoss.]

Can't believe that fella took his jacket off for a fight lol great explore

[@MrTwister86660]

Intimidation tactics 😂

[@HippyRoss.]

@@MrTwister86660 embarrassing behaviour lol

[@HippyRoss.]

@deansmith6924 he never managed to take the rope off the big lad at the end 😆

[@quantic7722]

Great video! The corrupt local council are the reason she's in her current state. Shes been in limbo since the late 80s!. I also didnt recognise the agressive bloke. Not sure if he's maybe the son of the owner but her original owner was a really nice bloke who just kept being thwarted by the council at every turn. Its also been proven that the bridge could take the weight of emergency vehicles on multiple occasions over the years which makes it even more ridiculous

[@Delred1]

That's councillor's for you.

[@leeallen1407]

Yep he is the son of the owner

[@tonyp011]

How is it the councils fault the ship is in this state? after all they would have closed it down on the advice of the fire service, also it’s not the councils fault that the railway bridge is too low to allow any emergency vehicles access in case of something going wrong

[@daveh1289]

I don’t think it’s an issue of a bridge taking the weight, I think it’s that emergency vehicles can’t fit under a low bridge to get to the site.

[@robjohnson2821]

I worked on this ship when it first opened. I actually worked for a paint company in Liverpool (Gibson Paints) who supplied a huge amount of paint for the refurbishment. A local sailor by the name of Captain Nightingale told me it was actually intended for the boat ship to be moored pointing the other way but some issues with the tide meant it had to be docked facing the wrong way. The company had a stall on the original car deck which had been converted to a kind of market, selling horse brasses and other similar tat😂. We also had a converted container near the very low railway bridge selling paint. Not many daytrippers bougth any but a lot of the locals did. I remember some great Saturday nights in the lounge with the market traders and dossing down in one of the old passenger cabins on many an occasion 😂. Thanks for sharing guys, brought back so many good memories.

[@FrontSideBus]

They have always been very proactive and agressive in preventing people from getting onboard. It's famous for it tbh.

[@StephenDavies43]

Luckily they didn't find the cannabis farm in the car decks.

[@cornishiron]

That’s why it’s so well preserved

[@mikeh2006]

@@StephenDavies43 they might have found it but just didn't show it

[@deydododontdedoh.5672]

Years ago Me and my Ex stumbled upon it and just casually walked up the metal steps on the sides, did a Titanic scene at the front, we were just about to leave when a very aggressive man popped his head out of the side and threatened to set his dogs on us! 😭. ... We hadn't noticed private property signs on the main gate as they were open at the time and it just wasn't obvious to us. 🙄 A very nasty piece of work towards someone who was accidentally aboard. 🤬

[@paularmstrong4546]

Who was that so called big and hard little man syndrome bloke at the end

[@themcbs3991]

DofL was the first ship I ever sailed on, Belfast to Heysham in July 1968. My strongest memory is of watching the aft cargo hold being loaded prior to sailing. Glad to know that a tangible part of my childhood is still around.

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

I was captain in 1988 my friend 1st sea Lord 5 star general Archibald poopdecker was 2nd mate. He's in talks to buy the ship and turn it into a luxury yacht

[@rwriddell]

Well done guys. And side stepping the aggressive little man was a work of art.

[@tizdaz5698]

tbf, i can see why the guy at end got pissed, by the sounds of it others have done same thing as you but with different intentions (smashing/vandalism etc) ..so can understand him being pissed, remember that ship would by now prob be a complete empty shell & smashed ot bits inside by little scrotums if it wasn't for those few guys looking after it! anyway good vid guys, i actually had a few trips on that back in the day with my Grandad! :)

[@stevek6432]

i agree as it would be sad no for the local d heads to go aboard and do damage

[@BoringOldXboxGamer]

That bloke with the bad attitude at the end was the best bit. He made a right fool out of himself. 🤣

[@computername]

You're probably the type of person to rage and assault someone for touching your car..

[@sauceymistersausages]

Nice. Well done lads. Nice to see how you handled that mong at the end. Stay safe chaps

[@cocojo242]

Well done guys👍 stayed calm at the end there.

[@BlueSteel331]

That ship is at Mostyn, Flintshire and as long as it's there it will attract attention from people = it should be either refurbished and reopened to the public or scrapped altogether.

[@Kurisu87]

Well done guys, I have visited it once before when there was some sort of attraction going on. You couldn’t get on the ship, but I’m sure the woman at the end of the video was on the gate charging. Got some great photos across the other side of the boat. The guy at the end was a bit of a prick mind. Well both of them. You handled that really well. Great explore. I hope he sees this video shows that no damage was done and the explore was simply to document the ship before he himself lets it fall into decay

[@jimmyp7928]

Do you think him being a 'bit of a prick' is not warranted? Did you expect him to be delighted people were trespassing? For all he knew they could have been vandalising the ship so you can't blame him for being less than pleased.

[@aoifependry1029]

​@jimmyp7928 let's say tge prick does actually own it - what does that mean? That he has fuckloads of money to spend on not only an aging ship of significant size but also a plot of land to plonk it on. Either he bought both outright which mean he'd definitely be rich enough to restore it if he actually gave a fuck about the ship and it's history. He hasnt; which shows him up as a dickhole. Say he bought the ship all at once but is renting the land - that could easily over a course of time and a couple generations or so (if he has any offspring) end up costing more than buying the land would. So again: the prick absolutely has the money to restore it at least to a condition where people can come and visit it as a museum which recoup his costs (which as a rich capitalist he would love) yet he doesn't! This says he only has it as a status symbol and a private jaunt which shows no respect for history - only a massively overinflated ego. If I had the money to spend on such a vessel, the space to moor/Station it and to have it in good enough condition to run as a museum then I would! Any abandoned history should be available to the public for consumption and historical insight/preservation/observation. They did not break anything. They were respectful. He is consistently an entitled douche. Oh, and private property doesn't exist beyond someone's home. He does not live there thus it is public property.

[@theshamanarchist5441]

Welsh hospitality at its finest lol

[@drtonyhaworth5711]

It’s my boat what a clown and he probably gets a dole check to keep his rust bucket afloat would cost upto £5 million which I bet he has not got….and the council cost millions to take him to court ….a total clown…

[@Kurisu87]

@@jimmyp7928 he’s a prick by nature. Wanting to steal the rope, clearly looking for an excuse to assault one of them the way he was prancing about. Judging by his mannerisms, he was probably coked up to his eye balls. The only one with some sense was his wife. Giving she was telling him to leave it, she knows all too well he’s a prick and didn’t want him to do prick like things and end up back in prison.

[@hamham545]

This is 20 mis away from where I live and I have always wanted to see it's interiors!

[@georgewhite1972]

This is definitely your best video so far!! I remember coming to this when I was a young kid when it was The Fun Ship and playing on the games in the arcade back in the 1980's. Brought back some good memories. That guy in the blue shirt at the end must've had a few lines of coke before he turned up. Acting all tough and squaring up. What a knobhead!! Thanks for producing this lads 👍

[@helopi8]

Johnny concrete at the end! 😂 Walks like his got a coat hanger under his top 🤣🤣

[@Snowdonguy48]

Johnny concrete😂😂😂

[@leeallen1407]

The Bloke at the end is the owners son so to be fair has a right to have a go at the guys , It's his Dads ship

[@tripwire3992]

@@leeallen1407Do something with it then stop letting it rot, fighting explorers will just drive people away from something that could easily make money as an attraction

[@Ziggymarlone]

Being a local there are plenty of stories of dodgy dealings going on in that ship. Most people in the area could tell you a thing or two about the owners past and present. I've explored it a few times myself. Such a shame to see it rotting away and the council stopping every attempt to do something with it!

[@Stratoszero]

Go on…spill it!

[@jonbrown4642]

You've got some balls attempting and pulling off this one :) , lovely to see it's so intact in some areas and I got such a nostalgic feeling seeing some off the dusty stylish areas ... well done

[@jakepower2631]

I want to go here just to annoy the angry little man now. Great vid guys 🙌👌

[@kylekaye9147]

Same 😂

[@mmatejka01]

You guys did such an amazing job with this one. Your dedication to documenting these properties is outstanding. And the calm way you handle yourselves when the owners want to be confrontational is commending. Keep doing what you do. You are making a difference in every property you visit. Outstanding Lads...!!!

[@StefanArlt1968]

I totally agree with you ! 👌🏻

[@focus3415]

Out of all the abandoned videos I've have watched on the Duke of Lancaster yours is definitely the best to feature more of the interior than any of the other's as usual great explore lads waiting for the next episode 👍

[@federicoprice2687]

Fascinating! Well done guys, I bet you've just produced the best archive record of the LANCASTER in the last 30 years. A time capsule, and a throwback to the 60's and 70's. You were very restrained, polite and diplomatic with the security oiks! And well done for removing your abseil rope - leave nothing behind, just footprints. BZ as we say in the Navy!

[@davidspion9548]

The ship has been there since 1979. I remember riding past it on my bike when mates and I would cycle from Liverpool to Conwy and Llandudno back when we were teenagers. Always loved seeing it there.

[@davemorley4395]

Round of applause guys , nicely put together.... Blast from the past!

[@robfellows4096]

Epic and excellent! Wonderful vandalism free time capsule decay. Loved the variations in presentation for this, a little bit of the BTS style for everyone. Glad to see you all having fun along with the serious stuff. You could have had that whole menu for the price of one pub meal today!

[@Paul-dz6fs]

A good and informative Urbex and respect for no damage. I believe the one that was upset at the end is the owner Anthony Rowley. While I get his annoyance with trespass, he has the rights to do something with it. As I understand it, by 2021 all the previous hurdles had been overcome. So instead of him being confrontational, maybe he should do something to the ship to stem or reverse it's decay. It's better you have documented the interior, as otherwise, I fear this ship will just rot into the ground with no active attempt by anyone to do anything about it. The ship was made by Harland and Wolff (Titanic builders) and is the next to last Steam ship in existance they built. The owner should be doing more.

[@ninaleeuwangh4402]

Anthony Rowley needs to watch this and have a long hard look at himself!!!!

[@oilburner225]

Although this ship had boilers producing steam, it was actually a steam turbine ship and not a steam recipricating engine. Most of the ship's I served on during the 60's/early 70's were steam turbine but by the 80's most steam turbines had either been converted to diesel or scrapped. When I retired in 1999 virtually all ships were diesel powered.

[@mrblue4233]

Well done lads what a explore you did there. Was really brave. You always get one plonker who thinks he's 10 men. You did right not to rise to him

[@UrbanXFiles]

i have ALWAYS had a fascination with this ship, even as a child, We'd have family holidays in wales and often go past this ship. It has been a fixation since then lol. As they used to have a HUGE market right by the ship and my Mum loved markets so my Dad would take us along to them and i'd spend it looking at the ship and imagining what was inside. Then as I got older my ship obsession grew stronger. My obsession for ABANDONED places & old buildings also become a passion, the spooky stuff too lol. I have over the years been to this ship with the hope of the owner offering us a guided tour ha ha ha wishful thinking lol. I have flew over the ship too, its an incredible sight to behold and I have some nice pictures from the Ariel look and angles only a drone can reach. Last time was before COVID hit. I was with a few friends and I took my drone over and around it and there was the owner or his relative on board. He even has a issue taking pictures with the drone, i absolutely understand the frustration the owners must have, especially when people try get on board or damage it. It is a worry for them I guess as if someone did get on or around it and hurt themselves they would no doubt be liable, or if not then it would bring unwanted attention and stress from the council etc. It is just a shame that there was no way to create a road for emergency services to attend it should it need the fire service etc. Or if they could have the ship as a floating FUN ship as being like the Queen Mary in the states would resolve that issue. Although it isn't easy to just float a ship that is in a sorry state. If I win the lottery I'd offer to get it safe and usable lol. Great Video guys. I know there will be many envious explorers who have tried and filed to see this in its entirety as you managed to achieve. So that deserves a like and subscribe too. However the ending with that angry guy did make me laugh. Telling you hes keeping the rope ha ha. As you are pulling it down. Asking if you brought a knife to cut it ha ha, You both did well keeping calm when he was in your face like that. As much as he is correct in what he says and has a justified reaction. As if someone walked into your home you would not appreciate it. Though this is very different as it is an abandoned ship. Even though its owned lol. He could make a few quid giving ppl unofficial access. I did not like his attitude, & I'm sure other people would not be so calm when being met so aggressively. Although you are in the wrong, you was still respectful and polite. You did not retaliate to his bad attitude. Especially when you spoke so respectfully.

[@GTiR23]

Went on it years ago when it was arcades and a ‘fun ship’ back in the 80’s, great memories. Loved the video, thanks lads 👍

[@davidellis279]

I also went on this ship with my children when it was the fun ship years ago,can’t remember exactly when but my daughter is fifty now,she was on a child at the time. It’s a shame how it’s been left to decay over the years.

[@gazevans251]

I found this fascinating, as a local I’ve always wanted to see inside The Duke of Lancaster, thankyou 😀

[@soggybawsmoto]

Oooft! Get your popcorn and settle in for the comments on this one. Very precious community around this site. Great video lads, super respectful as usual, well done

[@vickielawless]

Absolutely brilliant video lads! I've had some close brushes with security in my time exploring, but that aggressive little man takes the mickey. Interestingly, the presence of security is probably the reason for the lack of vandalism inside the ship.. Sadly, I can't see much of a positive future for the Duke, councils seem to only know one word, and that is "NO!"

[@traceyj321]

As a true North Walian I still remember the day I drove past here with my elder brother and the general consensus at the time when it first arrived, was that the ship had run aground as it wasnt there the day before. Pity that the useless and corrupt councils thwarted any hope of it becoming the eye sore it has. Sad to say, the mouthy scouser at the end brought it home to me why I'm glad I no longer live in my homeland. Great video, took me back in time.

[@sandrarosejones9663]

I'm a scouser and that was no way a scouse accent

[@davidspion9548]

That's no Scouse accent.

[@piperhound]

Plastic scouser not proper scouser

[@Snowdonguy48]

He was a brummie

[@f_for_freedom2492]

@@piperhoundfrenchie here, if you don't mind me asking, what's a scouser ?

[@jbjones7432]

Wow.... I live in Connah's Quay and used to go to the markets by the fun ship for years. Always saw the boat but never went on it. Brilliant film..!!

[@clumsyaura]

What a massive 🔔 that billy big balls in blue was 😅😅😅😅 thought he was going to have a seizure. Good for you walking away. With your rope.

[@leeallen1407]

The Bully at the end is the owners son....He has every right to kick off to be fair

[@johnfellows2867]

@@leeallen1407 Smacked off his tit's by the look of him !

[@alannorman1773]

I know this ship well and am so interested to watch this. Thank you. I love the respect that you show the old lady. It would be so to see her brought back to life again. Thanks lads ❤.

[@JoolsUK]

Back in the day enjoying Dubonnet Red in First Class with cheese and biscuits and updates from the crew on progress through the voyage.

[@asa1973100]

I still drink Dubonnet with lemonade

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

I was on that ship in 1988 shagged 2 birds in the engine room at the same time whilst the Cabin boy watched

[@performanceworld02]

I drive past this boat regularly for years and I’ve often wondered what it’s like on board thanks to you boys I now know great job

[@Pugna-cz6gs]

45:44 The man in the blue jumper balls dropped when he realised you showed no fear. He had to toddle off with his tail between his legs. 😂 What a fantastic video lads anyway, I loved this one. I’m glad it looks so untouched in places.

[@nigelhardy7218]

These guys are a brilliant example of politely standing one's ground and humiliating a lippy opponent.

[@MrSychnant]

The "owner"will be really pissed off that everyone can see his anger endlessly on here.

[@andrewberesford3283]

Thankyou so much for making this film/documentary about this ship, I use to have a market stall nearby in the 1990s.

[@jrbs]

It amazes me that someone can own something like this and pay security guards and other expenses for something that must be a massive financial liability.

[@donnietobasco9791]

Unless it's earning its keep in "other ways"....as some here have alluded to!! Makes you wonder, either way.

[@TannerCity]

Perhaps the local government should be interested in the alleged “contents” of the abandoned ship rather than it being a fire hazard. Or maybe they do know and enjoy some financial rewards of his alleged illegal business.

[@nevillebloodybartos]

Exactly !!! I often think the same… how can the owners afford 24 hour security for something that’s nothing other than a financial drain for years??? Almost like it has an income stream that they don’t want visitors to find…😊

[@neilfoster814]

@@nevillebloodybartos 2 tons of Columbian Marching Powder stashed in the hold and engine room!!

[@cabovermike]

@@donnietobasco9791 Rhyl just up the road is the drug capitol of north wales, that whole area is called "the overspill" coming from the invasion of liverpudlians moving to the area over the years,.

[@paulstubbs4487]

Brilliant stuff. Been here a few times and always wondered what was inside. Just loved this video and the respect you had for this abandoned ship.

[@clgrouch]

Thanks for sharing you held your composer with the guy at the end thank you

[@Miss_Toots]

Which composer did he hold?... Beethoven? 😂

[@StefanArlt1968]

@@Miss_Toots Wagner, rather ! 😂

[@jackjones5263]

I mean, he literally owns the ship and just found a random group of lads climbing all over it without even asking if they could go on 😂

[@patchmack4469]

i love this - you guys have a talent for sure and i am so happy you could document this its funny to see a ship locked up and forgotten, left to the elements and her fate, corroding away, but with parts left in suspension for a period long forgotten, a time your granny might remember, her retro furnishings and décor wouldn't be seen anywhere now, actually quite horrible and bad taste in places, bit and bobs, lights and fixtures you might find in an old folks home, that heavy red striped wall paper is really bad and the single colours of blue and green are really sickly and could only really be seen in a public place like this her last owners had good intensions to keep her open but i guess all that nasty legal stuff and mounting costs to ensure she was safe to have large numbers of people to be on board guaranteed her complete closure - its sad and such a waste - but glad you managed to get inside, its a shame authorities won't allow such places to be opened up properly, legally for yourselves to see and investigate without having to creep around like naughty mice the prices you found take me back i'm 57 now, i had a pizza meal in an Italian restaurant the other day and that must have been £15, that to me is extortionate because i am still living the years i paid peanuts for 'em - well done lads - pitty about the nob at the end (there's always one)

[@bucketslash11]

so i take it that guy is John Rowley, the current owner and the one that has been neglecting the ship for 20 years, he want to have the ship restored but obviously doesn't have the money to foot the bill himself so he has asked the council to do it, which they obviously don't want to do you should also have done like _Exploring the Unbeaten Path_ and both arrive and leave during the night

[@tom-mitchell]

Wow, loved the video, it’s emotional! Live just 5 miles away, and always go past it on the way to the beach. Security guard also very respectful to you (although he probably didn’t realise you had to focus on abseiling!) Then there was the small man right at the end getting his knickers in a twist (about what no one will be certain) Best Wishes and thank you again 🤩

[@rich_edwards79]

He's the owner. I must admit I'd be pretty angry if I caught a bunch of lads snooping around something something that was mine with unknown intentions. It's a bit different if a place is genuinely abandoned abd accessible, but the very fact that there is a 24hr security presence shows that he doesn't want trespassers.

[@tom-mitchell]

Oh goodness, that makes it all the more embarrassing for him to be captured on video behaving in such a way 🙈

[@ianm452]

Fair comment: I'd be angry too, and he wasn't to know that you hadn't broken in or vandalised anything. He was probably also peed off that the security men he pays to keep people away had failed to do their job. If trespass isn't a criminal offence, then I suspect the only law you have broken is one of data protection, by broadcasting the images and words of the staff there without their permission. It's a shame you couldn't film inside the wheelhouse and engine room.

[@thefinalseries]

The little girl at the end almost fucked around and found out 😂

[@bigtiny42]

Meant to comment when you posted this but this is magnificent lads. I'd seen similar where they showed the public area that were used during it's Funship days but those new places untouched since it's Ferry days were fabulous.

[@NovioSites]

Great video, you guys really are on another level of exploring. And most of all, you handled that agressive guy at the end really well. 👌

[@fbrown160]

I used to take my daughter there for a day out on a Sunday in the eighties. We were limited then to just a few rooms, (& it was painted white then !) it's really good to see all around the ship , always wondered what it was like inside - thanks lads 👍

[@StephenDavies43]

Great vid. Many people are curious to see what this ship looks inside.

[@simonsweeting]

Well done for keeping your cool against the aggressive owner. I don't understand why he had to be like that. You caused absolutely no damage and I hope he now sees this video and sends his apologies

[@bear1245]

Probably pissed of with people constantly trespassing and sneaking into his property 😂 just a wild guess

[@rich_edwards79]

Unpopular opinion: as a lover of old ships and ocean liners, I'm kinda glad the DoL has a rottweiler like Antony Rowley (the owner who you met at the end) protecting her. Otherwise she'd probably be a burnt out hulk like the TSS Dover (aka Tuxedo Royale) right now. Not everyone just wants to photograph these places, some get their kicks from destruction. And there's no way of telling them apart until it's too late. Plus he probably doesn't want to be sued if you fall through a rotten deck, take a plunge off the stern rail or contract cancer from all the lungfuls of asbestos and mould you probably gulped down while in there. Let's hope the fact that you came this close to getting punched deters other would-be boarding parties.

[@Delred1]

Went on a tuxedo royal in Newcastle, it was a club.

[@rich_edwards79]

@@Delred1 Ditto. There were two. The Royale (ex-TSS Dover) and the Princess (former Caledonian Princess). One was on Tyneside, the other on the Clyde in Glasgow I believe, they swapped places a few times during the 80s and 90s. I had a couple of nights out on the Princess in Newcastle in the summer of 2005, aside from the main lounges and car deck (which had been converted to a club with the old vehicle turntable repurposed as a revolving dancefloor) there was quite a lot of the original ship interior left so I had a good nosey round. The Princess finally left the Tyne for good in 2008 due to the downturn in the club trade brought on by the smoking ban and late licensing of bars, was tugged to Turkey and scrapped. The Royale was laid up in Middlesbrough where she was abandoned, burned out and sank at her berth.

[@rad_adad_ad]

Great exploration guys. Extremely respectful not to damage anything. I'm baffled why that guys was so annoyed when clearly you hadn't stolen or damaged anything. Why would he want to own the thing if it's fate is just to deteriorate?

[@christiberiusthomas7329]

he looked coked up him at the end, over the top.

[@MISSION315]

That was great lads, I have been to the ship a few times and wondered what the inside was like and it didn’t disappoint you did it proud thanks all baz.

[@MeAgainstTheWorldBaby]

Your video presentation is incredible and that guy lol how dare you go on my rusty ship which is just sat there rotting away.

[@readrepairs]

That 'security' officer brightened up my day... Thank you. Best part of the video.

[@rileyuktv6426]

He’s hiding something on that boat…

[@mikewood5373]

I was about to say the same thing, probs his drug stash

[@tonyp011]

Not necessarily it’s private property and these are trespassing as they didn’t ask for permission to board it

[@davidlawford8998]

Brilliant video lads. You really are the best in the UK.

[@OLIFAB]

Fabulous explore as always! Would be nice to see it turned into something. 😁

[@DaysOfSail1850]

Wow boys,I really enjoy the respect and curiosity you exercise in spite of the fact that you were trespassing a property that was cordoned off.I am a ship nut myself,I also would have done the same thing.Thank you for posting this video.Again good job and appreciate the respect displayed by you all,thank you!!!!

[@peterallen7938]

Well done guys, that guy looked pissed off😂

[@jackjones5263]

Wouldnt you be pissed off if you just found a group of lads climbing over something you own? 😂

[@cogboy302]

I went to look at the ship in 2010 and it was a rusty bag of shite back then. I don't expect it's improved over the last 14 years.

[@jackjones5263]

As somebody who walks their dogs around the ship every day, theyve spent a fair whack in restoring it😂

[@alsanova]

@@jackjones5263 Ant should be pissed off at the security, he had one job and failed at it! 😂

[@oNe-TwO-fReE]

Love this. Thanks for the work. THought it was funny the angry guy obviously wanted to make something big out of it but you all walked off peacefully ignoring him lol. I was worried for a while you may stumble across something in there that the angry guy really didn't want you to find.

[@ChrisSnow-sk8hd]

I remember going on the Duke with my dad and brother in the early 80s, there were a few stalls and a cafe and arcade games. We went on a tour of the engine room with a chap that had worked on the ship when it was a ferry, it was in pretty good shape back then! It seems the council will block any proposal to put the ship to good use which is a shame.

[@grange247]

By far your best yet, very early 80,s having cousins just up the road i remember going on borad the Fun ship....im sire it had market stall sellers on board etc. It was completely white in colour...... Always look across even today as we drive past it. One of the most interesting Vlogs ive seen for years. Pure brilliance 👍

[@arronjones6985]

Great video. The guy at the end didn't really portray him self with any kinda dignity. Hopefully he has seen this video and seen what justice you did to the ship and it's potential future. I know you shouldn't have been on there but you did no harm to anyone or anything. I love these explanations if they are done right which is exactly what you have done. We all get to see thing we ordinarily wouldn't get the chance to. Great video. 👌

[@ThomasKilkenny]

Classy stuff gents. Love the way you dealt with the chap at the end too.

[@terryvickers8966]

One of the best videos I've watched in ages ❤

[@optical_ideas]

So glad that the dude of the Duke didn't want you to delete your footage. The idea turning this into a hotel seemed very nice.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

38:29 I bet you made that Capstan's day. He can now brag to his mates about once again having ropes run around him like in the good ol' days afloat.

[@donnietobasco9791]

Wow....your mind works just like mine when it comes to romanticising inanimate objects. Great comment this!!

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

@@donnietobasco9791 Thank you, straight back achoo, shipmate! Just doing my part to lighten the mood of the poor souls who live their lives online, with a bit of nonsense to give them pause.

[@sandrarosejones9663]

Watched quite a lot of explores on this ship and t.v. programmes over the years, I've got say this is by far my favourite. Always make my dad stop here when we go to Wales. Have lots of pictures but from the other side of the railings. Did get other pictures over the other side when you could walk along there years ago. Love how you document your expores and show old pictures great work 🤩

[@jive091]

You wouldn't pay for security and camera's ect on a rotting ship . There is definitely something dodgy going on !!

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

There's a grow on board

[@caronyardley8834]

Absolutely

[@Ryzilience]

I always use to see this ship every time we would go past in the car when i was 8 - 10 years old and i would always shout in the car "is that Titanic" because i have always been a Titanic nerd since a very young age because of the film. At the time the ship looked huge for me and I'm now 21 and haven't been around north wales since then and i really miss the place! Last time i visited the Duke of Lancaster, i remember going up close to it because i eventually got my parents to walk with me at the time and it felt like a dream come true! The ship was fully white at the time with some graffiti of some kind and to see it change to black with a red draft shows an example of how ships should really look like. Can't wait to see her again sometime

[@pdtech4524]

I remember going to it on family holidays to N. Wales in the 1970s, it was called The Fun Ship and had a market on board as well as an amusement arcade and cafe etc I don't think the whole ship was available to explore only 1 or 2 decks I seem to remember but it was a rusty old thing back then and it seemed to be on a slight list...😊

[@colinevans39]

Amazing watch thanks ive passed this ship many years ago and its a terrible wsste leaving it like this 😊😊😊😊

[@rileyuktv6426]

An amazing step back in time…❤

[@Steve-Cross]

The guy at the end that said, would you like me to break into your house, made me laugh. I would’ve said, doesn’t look like anybody’s living on there, and haven’t for many years mate. 😂

[@leeallen1407]

The guy at the end is actually the son of the owner , and at one time they did actually live on the ship

[@Steve-Cross]

@@leeallen1407 Didn’t see any signs that anyone was living on it.

[@leeallen1407]

@@Steve-Cross They don't now but they used to

[@ninaleeuwangh4402]

Well done on obtaining some respectful footage. As always you are all respectful and polite, unlike those two vile people who could have asked you to leave without all of their disgusting behaviour and threatening language. I hope they can see this and see what it is that you actually do and take a long hard look at how they have presented themselves. Unfortunately I think they are not going to comprehend how dreadfully they behaved due to their lack of capacity. Well done guys

[@mikeh2006]

The guard was ok. Just doing his job. If you get caught doing this, own it. The owner was just pissed off as it's kind of blatantly obvious he doesn't want anyone on it.

[@levelcrossing150]

@@mikeh2006 After viewing this video, you can begin to understand this guys reactions and why he does not want his ship vandalising. The ship has been a long time there and I bet this guy is frustrated to the hilt with how his plans have been thrown aside. Having said that in a situation like this, some people can only see badness in others, and there is no excuse for bad behaviour. It's a beautifully made video and hopefully it will raise the profile of this ship, hopefully something good will come out of it.

[@mikeh2006]

@levelcrossing150 I think not everyone in the situation was as apologetic as they could have been though. I get it though. It's an awkward situation. I'm not even sure apologising is the correct thing. Saying sorry for doing something you intended to do.

[@levelcrossing150]

@@mikeh2006 I think what these guys did was something very positive. It's obvious that they had great respect and passion for this ship so wanted to see it for themselves and create a record of the condition it is now in. I can see that It might be difficult to apologise for just doing that. The trouble for the guy just meeting them in a situation like this is that until he got to know them he did not know what their intentions were.

[@rich_edwards79]

​@@levelcrossing150I don't think he wants the profile raising. Some people are secretive and keep themselves to themselves and don't want publicity. If i bought an old ship to run a business or live on i wouldn't want 'curious' tresspassers snooping around either. Once these places are out on the Internet it just attracts the sort of knobheads who *will* cause damage. One big fire and she's gone forever like the Caledonian Princess. (Or it could just be that he doesn't want his grow operation discovered, probably a more likely explanation!)

[@stephaniemcquillan1930]

Amazing. You find some really incredible and interesting places. Thank you so much for bringing us along. You handled yourselves well with those guys! 😂

[@FannyShmellar]

Thank you for this fabulous documentary. I am a survivor of the Titanic when I was 25, I became skipper of the Duke of Lancaster in 1972 and remained so until 1980. I retired from a life at sea in 2022. Thanks for bringing back so many memories.

[@thedr309]

sure you did.....math dont add up.. Titanic went down in 1912 thats 112 years ago so if you were 25 then that would make you 137 now so yeah....

[@FannyShmellar]

@@thedr309 As I have explained, I am retired now. These events happened a long time ago, and yes I am old.

[@thedr309]

@@FannyShmellar137 yrs old? i mean titantic goes down in 1912 thats 112 yrs ago if you were 25 then that would make you 137 yrs old today is that what your saying?

[@thedr309]

@@FannyShmellaryour name shows up anywhere on any list of survivors

[@FannyShmellar]

@@thedr309 Yes I am 137 years old, I am lucky I have had a long life.

[@jeffreymonks8507]

Remember this ship well as a child. We had a caravan in north Wales. And our journey too and from involved passing this amazing sight. Never got to go on it. But with your help, I now know what it looked like on the inside. SUBSCRIBED 👍

[@pauloconnor2980]

You guys handled that loser at the end really well. Sounds like he was on weekend release from HMP Strangeways!!!!

[@StefanArlt1968]

I was about to write the same ! Kind of an occasional Bridewell’s resident. 😬

[@asherbasher100]

@@StefanArlt1968 He's the owner so It's hardly surprising he was pissed!

[@bobbyrayofthefamilysmith24]

@@asherbasher100 he's weaksauce even Ronnie Pickering could take him out

[@martinjones2265]

​@@asherbasher100Wrong, he wasn't the owner.. He is full of 💩💩💩💩

[@leecarroll4776]

He has little man syndrome

[@benlambley7171]

Best one yet guys was amazing that bloke at the end clearly wanted a fight you handled it well

[@dw1444]

did you get in to the engine room and get any footage that would you been great to look in

[@daffyduk77]

Some of the signage has a very British Rail (Sealink!) feel about it, you half expect curled-up sandwiches to match! Then some more signs have a very "home-spun" feel, magic marker by a 10-y/o, from a later phase of its career. Defo a multi-era museum

[@PZLeader12OS]

Duke of Lancaster was owned by Sealink towards the later stages of her career.

[@daffyduk77]

@@PZLeader12OS Yes, I noticed it had a ruddy great Sealink logo in some pictures of it, which is the obvious explanation 🙂

[@jamescarlson6723]

I am looking forward to watching this video. It is good it remains as it is as it reflects past history of ones nation and world. And illustrates much different attitudes of living and very much different in this new modern world.

[@nataliesmith303]

What a great adventure. They must get lots of people trespassing hence the reaction 😮

[@mccabesmemorials]

I visited over a decade ago. Security is tight