7 FEBRUARY 1981, Page 14

One hundred years ago

Sir — I cannot agree with your correspondent, Mr Stephen, that the landing arrangements in the Isle of Man are 'as satisfactory in every respect as possible,' and must adhere to my statement that they are bad. As soon as a steamer arrives, having on board 800 or 900 passengers, or more, a crowd of porters rush on board, and a scrimmage at once begins to get on shore. The luggage, which is piled up amidships, and that which may have been sorted by the owners, is turned topsy-turvy and scattered over the deck; whilst passengers, Porters, and portmanteaus are crowded and jammed together on the deck and in the gangways.

Spectator, 5 February 1881