(11-11-2010, 01:10 PM)Tomcat Wrote: I remember Duke Line, that was supposed to provide competition to the Stem Racket's high monopoly fares but it was hit by all sorts of suspicious mechanical disasters and eventually folded. Since then the Irish Sea has been one of the world's most expensive stretches of water to cross and Manx people have been forced to pay higher prices in the shops just to fill the pockets of the shipper. The chickens are indeed coming home to roost. The Steam Racket's loss will be the Island's gain as supermarket prices fall and the extra money left in shoppers' pockets can be spent on other things, expanding the Island's economy.

Agree 100% Tom, and i'm bemused by the Manx Jobs comment, i think he meant Eastern European jobs may be in jeopardy? thats where 90% of the crew seem to be from in the last few years!! I havent heard many Manx or scouse accents in steam packet uniforms for a long time.