The SS (RMS) King Orry (I), with the registration No. 21923, was a notable wooden paddle-steamer operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Built in Douglas, she holds the distinction of being the only vessel in the company's history to be constructed there. Although the Douglas yard built her, it is believed that the construction was overseen by Aitken of Liverpool, with her engines later fitted in Glasgow by Robert Napier & Co., after being towed from Douglas. Launched in 1842, King Orry was the last wooden vessel in the Steam Packet fleet. She measured 140 feet in length, with a beam of 23 feet 3 inches and a depth of 14 feet 3 inches. Her gross register tonnage was 433 GRT. Powered by a single engine producing approximately 108 horsepower, she could reach speeds of about 9 to 10 knots. Her design featured a carvel-built hull, a standing bowsprit, and a square stern adorned with sham galleries. She was rigged as a schooner with two masts and bore a male figurehead, reflecting her era’s aesthetic. Upon entering service, King Orry demonstrated impressive performance, with her fastest recorded journey between Douglas and Liverpool taking 6 hours and 20 minutes, averaging around 7 hours. She played a vital role in passenger and mail transport across the Irish Sea. Notable incidents include a collision on 20 September 1845 with the steamship Prince in the River Mersey, which resulted in damage to her bows and required her to be beached for repairs. In 1847, she was re-boilered at a cost of £3,000. Further mechanical trouble occurred on 8 July 1856 when a crankpin on her intermediate shaft broke during a voyage, necessitating her return to Liverpool for towing by Tynwald. In 1858, King Orry was acquired by Robert Napier & Co. of Glasgow as part of the payment for the Douglas yard, valued at £5,000. Subsequently, she was sold to Greek interests and operated in the eastern Mediterranean, marking the end of her service in the Irish Sea. Her career reflects a transitional period in maritime technology and the declining use of wooden vessels in favor of iron and steel steamers.

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