Tears were shed, sea shanties sung and tales of stormy voyages exchanged as one of the UK’s most characterful ships set sail for the final time.

Scillonian III, also known as the “vomit comet” because in stormy weather it tended to rock a little too much for the comfort of those susceptible to sea sickness, has chugged between the British mainland and the Isles of Scilly, for just shy of half a century.

But all good things (or bad, depending on your sea legs) come to an end and on Sunday the grand old ship made one last 37-nautical-mile trip from the island of St Mary’s to Penzance in Cornwall .

Scillonian III prepares to leave St Mary’s for the last time.…