Pupils from Dhoon School swapped the classroom for the foyer of Ramsey Town Hall recently to view a Star of India presentation.

The children were spending a day in Ramsey and took the opportunity to look at images and memorabilia of the most famous ship to have been built in Ramsey shipyard. Launched on November 14, 1863 as the Euterpe, the ship’s name was changed in 1906 to Star of India after she was sold to US firm Alaska Packers, all of whose fleet had names prefixed with ‘Star’.

Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass said: ‘150 years on the Star of India continues to exert a fascination to young and old alike. We were delighted to welcome the pupils from Dhoon School to the town hall and I commend them for studying the ship’s history ahead of their visit as, given the boxes they were carrying bore the labels “Alaska Packers”  and “Salmon”, it was clear they had done their homework thoroughly.’

The Star of India display is in support of a photography and art competition organised by the Commissioners to mark the ship’s 150th anniversary.

Full details and entry forms for the Star of India art and photography competition are available on the Commissioners’ website, ramsey.gov.im, from Ramsey town hall and from selected retail outlets in the town.

Closing date for art entries October 9th, photography November 6th.