The SS Snaefell (IV) was a notable packet steamer with a distinguished service history, originally built as the Viper for the Irish Channel route between Scotland and Ireland. Constructed at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, she was launched on 10 March 1906. This steel-hulled vessel was a triple-screw turbine-driven ship, measuring 315 feet in length, with a beam of 39 feet 6 inches and a depth of 16 feet 6 inches. Her powerful engines produced 6,500 indicated horsepower, enabling her to achieve a service speed of 21 knots. Designed to accommodate 1,700 passengers and staffed by a crew of 61, Viper was a significant vessel for passenger and troop transport. Originally operated by G. and J. Burns, Viper served on the Ardrossan-Belfast route. During the First World War, she was requisitioned as a troopship, primarily used for troop movements between Kent ports, Southampton, and Le Havre, the main French port serving the British Expeditionary Force. Her high service speed rendered her less vulnerable, eliminating the need for escort protection. Little detailed information survives about her wartime service, but her role was critical in troop logistics. In 1920, the vessel was purchased by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for £160,000 and renamed Snaefell. She then became a vital part of the company’s fleet, serving routes connecting the Isle of Man with mainland ports such as Liverpool and Fleetwood. During World War II, she was again requisitioned as a troopship but was returned to civilian service after the war. Snaefell remained operational until 1945, after which she was withdrawn and sold for scrap in 1949, ending a 42-year career. Notably, her wooden staircase bannisters are preserved at HQS Wellington in London, underscoring her maritime and historical significance.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.