History
MV ''Keppel'' was the last of three sisters built for British Rail Eastern Region. Originally named ''Rose'', she was launched in 1961 and entered service on the Tilbury to Gravesend, Kent, Gravesend route. In 1967 ''Rose'' became surplus to the needs of B.R., and was transferred to the Caledonian MacBrayne, Caledonian Steam Packet Company on the Firth of Clyde, Clyde where she was renamed ''Keppel''. The ship then underwent some modifications, and was then placed onto the Largs to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Millport route, a service she carried out for almost 20 years. In 1980 she ran aground off Farland Point and sustained considerable damage. She became surplus to requirements on the Clyde and was sold in 1993. She operated independently as ''Clyde Rose'' (name never registered) for that summer but was laid up at the James Watt Dock, before being sold to Malta, Maltese interests.Service
Built for the Tilbury to Gravesend route on the Thames, she was used as the backup and relief vessel to her sisters. On transfer to the Clyde, she was placed on the Largs to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Millport crossing. From 1974, she berthed overnight at Rothesay, Argyll and Bute, Rothesay, giving a morning crossing to Wemyss Bay and serving the Sir Robert McAlpine, McAlpine yard at Ardyne. This ceased when the yard closed in 1977 and ''Keppel'' was laid up for most of the year. She gave afternoon cruises to Rothesay and round Cumbrae. Despite the introduction of , in 1977 on the Largs to Cumbrae Slip crossing, ''Keppel'' was retained for a further nine years, until the arrival of the new car ferries, and . Even then, she survived another seven years as a cruise vessel. Her Maltese owners have extended her career on cruises out of Valletta, and later for cruises to and from the island of Comino.References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Keppel Caledonian MacBrayne 1961 ships Ships of Malta