The Sunderland Site Page 055

May I suggest that you navigate the site via the index on page 001.PRIOR PAGE / NEXT PAGE

On this page ... William Doxford Page 4, Doxford and Sunderland Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd., page bottom (starlings).

Copyright? (91 + 7 + 4 = 102) Test.

Miramar, images, mariners-l.co.uk, MNL,

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Corrections in any of the material which follows, however tiny, would be most welcome. And additions, of course!

WILLIAM DOXFORD (1840/1875?)
WILLIAM DOXFORD AND SONS (1875?/1890)
WILLIAM DOXFORD AND SONS LIMITED (1891/1957)
WILLIAM DOXFORD & SONS (SHIPBUILDERS) LIMITED (1957/ )

(OF COX GREEN, THEN PALLION, SUNDERLAND)

This is the 4th 'Doxford' page, made necessary by the increasing number of listings re 'Doxford' built vessels. The first page, with the first 106 vessels, is available here. And the 2nd & 3rd pages, each with 100 vessels, are here & here.

Build lists? A list of 'Doxford' built vessels is now on site, at page 143. Miramar lists, (highest hull number on page). It used to be that you could click on the links that follow & get to the relevant Miramar page. But no longer! The new procedure must be to go to Miramar (here) & log in (you must be registered to view any page). And once you are logged in, return to this page & all the following links should work for you:- 30, 60, 100, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 271, 300, 330, 363, 390, 420, 451, 496, 515, 547, 595, 628, 658, 688, 718, 758, 792, 820, 889, 881, 899. (899) And a list of all of the Doxford built vessels is here (including those built at the Doxford yard in its later years after it was taken over) thanks to Fred Gooch & John Bage.

Names of just a few more of the vessels constructed by William Doxford & Sons of Sunderland - as I happen to spot references to them. In a table in build date sequence. And alphabetic within a year. But just a start!

307	Moraybank 7307 tons Hull 729 169448 5022821 Ardrowan Tetrarch	1945	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Moraybank (1)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres long overall, 128.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 knots. Built for Bank Line Ltd., owned by Andrew Weir & Co., of Glasgow. In 1962, the vessel was sold to Mullion & Co. Ltd., of Hong Kong, & renamed Ardrowan. In 1967, the vessel was acquired by Tetrarch Shipping Company Limited, of Gibraltar, with no change of vessel name. Was renamed Tetrarch in 1968. On Dec. 03, 1969, the vessel arrived at the Hong Kong ship breaking facilities of 'Leung Yau Shipbreaking Co. Ltd.' to be broken up. Is there data about the vessel that you can add?
308	Pundua 7295 tons Hull 725 180569 5287108 Shun On	1945	A freighter. Per 1 (a diorama of Pundua, Bonhams, New York, Apl. 2010 auction, with detail image), 2 [British India, Pundua (2)], 3 (most modest image), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres long overall, 128.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 11 1/2 knots. WWW data about this vessel is most limited. Much of the data listed here came from a long expired eBay listing. 'Although a 'P' name this ship was a one off.' And a 'later development of the Doxford economy design'. Ordered by the Ministry of War Transport but delivered to 'British India Steam Navigation Company'. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, 4 times in 1957. Visited Australia also. 'Navigated the waters of the Eastern trade routes carrying passenger, mail and freight'. On Oct. 26, 1963 the vessel collided with Steel Admiral at Singapore. The vessel was sold to 'Jebshun Shipping Co.', of Hong Kong, in 1967, & renamed Shun On. The vessel was laid up at Singapore on Dec. 09, 1971 & broken up there in 1973. Need help.
309	Weybank 7368 (or 7268) tons Hull 724 169437 Silver Moon	1945	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Weybank (1)], 2 (Auckland, New Zealand), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.6 metres long overall, 128.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 431 ft., speed of 11 knots. Built for Bank Line Limited. Visited Auckland 7 times between 1947 & 1957. The vessel was sold, in 1962, to 'Pacific Overseas Nav. Corp.', of Liberia, (C. S. Koo the managers?), & renamed Silver Moon. On Apl. 08, 1968, the vessel arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to be broken up. Can you correct the above and/or add anything?
310	British Major 8564 (or 8650) tons Hull 734 180838	1946	A tanker. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.3 metres long overall, speed of 12 knots. A Google Books 'snippet' refers to her being the first vessel to be equipped with a Doxford engine with twin-lever scavenge pumps. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' No word about her service history but likely would have traded with the Persian Gulf, Cura�ao & Trinidad. A single visit to Auckland, New Zealand, on May 25, 1950. It would seem that the vessel was laid up at Falmouth, Cornwall, on May 05, 1959. The vessel was sold to 'BISCO' ('British Iron & Steel Corporation') for scrap, was towed to Cardiff (arrived there on Sep. 29, 1961) 'to be prepared for demolition', & left Cardiff in tow for the 'John Cashmore Ltd.' ship breaking facilities at Newport, Wales. She arrived there on Apl. 08, 1962 & demolition commenced immediately (Apl. 09). WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Anything you can add?
311	British Marshal 8582 tons Hull 737 180959	1946	A tanker. Per 1 (River Fal, 45% down), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.3 metres long overall, 490 ft. long, speed of 12 (or 11 1/2) knots. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' It would seem that the vessel, with cargo, was laid up in the River Fal at Falmouth, Cornwall, along with many other BP tankers. How long for? Held loaded in case of need re the 1956 Suez Canal crisis. No word about her service history but certainly traded with the Persian Gulf, Cura�ao & Trinidad. Arrived at Blyth, Northumberland (NE of Newcastle upon Tyne), on Nov. 06, 1961, to be broken up at the facilities of Hughes Bolckow Ltd. WWW data is most limited. Anything you can add?
312	Chulmleigh 2882/5349 (N/G) tons Hull 733 180814 Rugeley Madura laid down as Empire Northfleet	1946	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 429.0 ft. (130.76 metres) long perpendicular to perpendicular, 442.9 ft. long (135.00 metres) overall, speed of 10 1/2 knots, signal letters GDTC, 516 MN oil engines by William Doxford & Sons Ltd. of Sunderland. Sister to Empire Tilbury. Laid down as Empire Northfleet for the Ministry of War Transport, managed by 'Stephens, Sutton, Ltd.', of Newcastle. But the vessel was delivered, as Chulmleigh, to Atlantic Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd., of London, W. J. Tatem Ltd. the managers. In 1961, the vessel was sold to Whalton Shipping Co. Ltd., of Newcastle, & renamed Rugeley. It was sold again, three years later, in 1964, to Union Fair Shipping Co., of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Madura. The vessel had the misfortune to be at Hong Kong in late May 1964 undergoing repairs to her propeller & tail shaft. Immobile accordingly. A tropical depression from the south grew over a few days into 'Typhoon Viola', which made landfall, with high winds & seas, at Hong Kong on May 28, 1964. On that date, Madura broke her moorings during the storm & drifted onto rocks at Lantao, Hong Kong. The vessel was holed in three of her holds, causing her to take on water. Her engine-room was flooded & she developed a list of 30 degrees. Lengthy efforts were made to re-float her, accomplished on Jul. 10, 1964. Upon examination, the vessel was found to have severe bottom damage, was declared to be a constructive total loss, & on Aug. 10, 1964 the vessel arrived at Hong Kong ship breakers to be broken up. WWW data is quite limited. Wikipedia & many Wikipedia 'copycat' sites refer to the ship being of 7311 gross tons. I wonder why? It would seem that 5349 tons is correct, unless the vessel was lengthened. Anything you can add?
313	Cragmoor 5253 tons Hull 741 181624 Ratna Shobhana	1947	A cargo ship. Per 1 ('wrecksite.eu', sinking data, Ratna Shobhana), 2 (image, Cragmoor), 3 (history, Runciman, Moor Line), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.5 metres long overall, 444 ft. 9 in., speed of 12 1/2 knots. Built for Moor Line Ltd., of Newcastle, Walter Runciman & Co. Ltd., the managers. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, once, on May 17, 1953. In 1962, the vessel was sold to Ratnakar Shipping Co. Ltd., of Calcutta, India, & renamed Ratna Shobhana. On Jun. 05, 1966, while en route from Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar), to Calcutta, with a cargo of Burma bagged rice, the vessel ran aground & was wrecked off Muna Khali, 8 miles from Calcutta off Garden Reach. I have read no detail as to the circumstances. Can anybody tell us about them? The vessel ended up a total loss. WWW data is most limited. Anything you can add?
314	Eastbank 5947 (or 5928) tons Hull 745 182079 5095969 Bordazuri Pella Sierra Makedonia II	1947	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Eastbank], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for Bank Line Limited. 141.5 metres long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 435 ft., speed of 14 knots. Have read it was the first 'Compass-point' ship built by Doxford. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Aug. 07, 1958 & Mar. 04, 1961. The vessel was sold, in 1965, to 'Bordagain Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Monrovia, Liberia, managed by 'Ramon de la Sota Jr.' of France, of the Larringa Group, & renamed Bordazuri. Juan Uriagereka ('Juan') advises (thanks!) that in about 1965 thru 1968, Juan's father, 'Juan Uriagereka-Zorrotzua', was the vessel's captain. In the Apl/Oct 1966 period, Juan, then a young child, was aboard Bordazuri with his mother on a voyage from Mauritius to Liverpool with a cargo of sugar. In mid Aug. 1966, entering the Suez Canal, Bordazuri collided with Norina, an American tanker that had been converted to a bulk carrier, resulting in significant damage to both vessels but no loss of life. The U.S. vessel cut across the bow of Bordazuri, which hit it in the stern. The first officer was in command, & the captain rushed to the deck in his underwear, screaming orders when he got there. To find the vessel on automatic pilot with the engines in 'full ahead'. 'A naked man obeyed by his men, as they followed the Mayday protocol.' Quite a scene! It would seem that there was some kind of Inquiry into the collision with the blame being apportioned 75% to Norina & 25% to Bordazuri. Bordazuri's bow was temporarily repaired at Alexandria, & the vessel resumed its voyage to Liverpool. Permanent repairs were effected at South Shields. Juan adds that 'the owner (of Bordazuri) in the early seventies was Ramon de la Sota, the son of Sir Ramon de la Sota, the only Basque magnate who opposed Franco's dictatorship and was instrumental in evacuating children from war zones early in the Spanish Civil War. Franco confiscated the company (at the time called Sota & Aznar), the biggest one in Spain. Sota the younger was able to rebuild a fraction of it in England, due to his reputation in Britain. Bordazuri was one of his acquisitions when the company was beginning to function decently, and Franco still wouldn't allow Sota's ships to touch any Spanish port.' The vessel, in 1968, was sold or transferred to 'Bordazuri Trading & Shipping Co. Ltd.' ('BordazuriTS') of Liberia (with no change of vessel name) & in 1972, BordazuriTS sold the vessel to Toto Shipping Co. S.A., of Piraeus, Greece, who renamed it Pella. It was sold again, in 1974, to 'Annaba Shipping Co. S.A.', also of Piraeus, & renamed Sierra. In 1977, the vessel was sold to 'Krateros Maritime Enterprises S.A.', of Piraeus, & renamed Makedonia II. On Nov. 11, 1977, the vessel suffered a major engine failure in the south Adriatic. The vessel was en route from Split, Yugoslavia, to Apapa, i.e. Lagos, Nigeria, with a cargo of bagged cement. The vessel was towed to Patras, & in 1978 was further towed to Itea, (It�a, Gulf of Corinth, Greece?), where the vessel arrived on Apl. 03, 1978 & was laid up. Declared a constructive total loss. The vessel was later sold to 'C. N. Lotti' & on Jan. 18, 1980, the vessel arrived at La Spezia, NW Italy, to be broken up. Can you correct the above and/or add anything?
315	Herdsman 4016/6822 (N/G) tons Hull 739 181069 Hock Aun Kota Selamat	1947	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Herdsman), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 442.8 ft. long (134.97 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, 460.7 ft. long (140.42 metres) overall, speed of 14 knots, accommodation for 8 passengers & an additional deck under the bridge structure for those passengers, signal letters GPZX, 1088 HP oil engines by Wm. Doxford & Sons Ltd. of Sunderland. Interpreter & Factor were her sisters. Built for Thos. & Jas. Harrison (Charente Shipping Co.), of Liverpool, stated to be indeed their first motor ship. Lloyd's Register of 1952/53 lists Charente S.S. Co. Ltd. of Liverpool as the vessel's then owner with T. & J. Harrison Ltd., her managers. In 1960, the vessel towed disabled sister ship Interpreter into Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. The vessel was sold, in 1965, to 'Hwa Aun Co.' (or maybe 'Chip Hwa Shipping & Trading'), of Hong Kong, & renamed Hock Aun. And sold again, in 1969, to Pacific International Lines, of Singapore, & renamed Kota Selamat. The vessel arrived at Whampoa, (i.e. Huangpu, an outer port of Guangzhou, China), on Nov. 09, 1973, to be broken up. Can you add anything?
316	La Cordillera 6330 tons Hull 740 181593 5096133 Eastern Planet Virgo II	1947	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Buries Markes history), 2 (data, La Cordillera), 3 (laid up, Blackwater), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 141.6 metres long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 430 ft., speed of 14 knots (apparently did better), accommodation for 12 passengers. Why only 12? I had earlier advised in this spot that 12 passengers was the highest number of passengers a ship could have without carrying a doctor. Roy Martin, however, advises that any vessel with more that twelve passengers has to meet passenger ship construction rules, rather than cargo ship rules. This greatly adds to the costs. A ship which carries more than 100 passengers has to carry a ship's doctor, who must be a 'properly registered medical practitioner.' Thanks so much, Roy, for that interesting data! I am advised that at launch the vessel was described as the finest vessel Doxford had ever built. Complete superstructure type, & an 'orlop' deck in No. 1 hold. Built for Buries Markes Ltd., of London, the British subsidiary of 'Louis Dreyfus & Co.' ('Dreyfus') of France. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 01, 1950 & May 14, 1955. In 1958, the vessel was transferred to Dreyfus, (Buries Markes the managers), with no change of vessel name. I read that the vessel was unique in that she was the sole British ship which had an all female catering crew, all ex WRNS, accommodated in self contained living quarters at the forward end of the boat deck. It would seem that the unions were not happy about that. Was it a success? I read also that the passenger capacity was not a success, due to the un-predictable nature of her routes. The vessel was laid up, in 1962, in the River Blackwater (Mersea). The vessel was sold, in 1962 (or 1963), to Eastern Shipping Lines ('Eastern'), of Manila, Philippines, & renamed Eastern Planet. Philippine flag. The vessel was sold again, in 1971, to 'Cia. Pan Oriente S.A.' ('Oriente'), of Panama, managed by Eastern, & renamed Virgo II. Panama flag. Miramar refers to 'J. L. Chiongbian' re that sale. Can anybody explain the reference? A principal of Oriente, perhaps? On Oct. 21, 1972 the vessel arrived at the Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ship breaking facilities of Keun Hwa Iron & Steel Works Enterprises Ltd., to be broken up. Can you add anything?
317	Pelayo 2579 (or 2578 or 2589) tons Hull 744 181741 5018818 Annalisa Maria Susanna Geremia	1947	A dry cargo ship. Per 1 (1959 sinking, ref. 14/1 1959, Pelayo, 25% down), 2 [MacAndrews, Pelayo (2)], 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 107.3 metres long overall, 100.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 350 ft. or 330 ft. long, speed of 15 1/2 knots, with accommodation for 4 passengers. Built for the general cargo & Mediterranean fruit-carrying trade of MacAndrews & Co. Ltd., of London & Liverpool. Sister to Pinto. On Jan. 14, 1959, with a crew of 32 & 2 passengers aboard, while en route from Liverpool to Naples, Italy, the vessel ran aground on the outer breakwater at Leghorn, i.e. Livorno, Italy. The vessel sank in shallow water, was re-floated on Jul. 28, 1959 & beached 'for final tightening'. She was dry-docked on Sep. 14, 1959 & declared a constructive total loss. While I have not read about the detailed circumstances, a Court of Inquiry was held into the grounding, however, & a copy of the report would appear to be in the Liverpool Record Office. That was not the end of the story. The vessel was sold, in 1960, to "Atlantide" S.p.A. Compagnia Sarda di Navigazione, of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, & renamed Annalisa. Somewhere along the way it was presumably extensively repaired, though before or after that 1960 sale I cannot tell you. In 1963, the vessel was renamed Maria Susanna. In 1965, the vessel was sold again, to 'Tremari Nav S.p.A.', of Genoa, Italy, & renamed Geremia. It was sold again, in 1967, to "Garibaldi" Soc. Cooperativa di Nav. a Resp. Ltda, also of Genoa, with no change of vessel name. On Mar. 24, 1973, the vessel arrived at the La Spezia, Italy, ship breaking facilities of 'CN della Palmaria', to be broken up. Can you add anything? An image? The Court of Inquiry report?
318	Pinto 2579 (or 2576) tons Hull 743 181705 5278781 Panaghia P.	1947	A dry cargo ship. Per 1 [MacAndrews, Pinto (2)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 107.3 metres long overall, 100.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, accommodation for 4 passengers. Built for MacAndrews & Co. Ltd., of London & Liverpool. For the fast fruit trade from Spain to Liverpool & London. Sister to Pelayo. The vessel was sold, in 1965, to General Maritime Enterprises Corp. of Greece, T. A. Papagelopoulos, also of Greece the managers, & renamed Panaghia P. On May 28, 1978, the vessel arrived at the Vigo, Spain, ship breaking facilities of Jose Gomez Oliveira to be broken up. Bob Hughes advises (thanks, Bob!) Anything you can add?
319	Anunciada 5370 tons Hull 759 5419048 Beni Saf	1948	A cargo ship. Per A (e-Bay image, Anunciada, ref. as Annunciada), 1 (page in German with history, image (Fabre Line) low on page, WWW translation most difficult), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 134.96 metres (442 ft. 10 in.) long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots, crew of 36, accommodation for 12 passengers, signal letters HPDM. 1 states that the vessel was initially owned by 'Anunciada Shipping Co. Inc.' of Gen�ve (Geneva), Switzerland, & registered at Panama. And that the vessel was sold, on Apl. 13, 1949, to 'Transports Maritimes Suisse-Outremer S.A.' ('Transports'), of Geneva or possibly of Basel, Switzerland, & became Swiss registered. It should be noted, however, that Miramar refer to Transports as the initial owner. I do not have access to the applicable Lloyd's Registers to determine the issue. Managers? It would seem there were 3 until sold in 1963 - 1948/53 'Alpina Transports & Affretements S.A.', 1953/63 'Suisse-Outremer S.A. de G�rance et d'Affretement Maritimes' & in 1963 'Soci�t� d'Armement Maritime Suisse-Atlantique S.A., of Lausanne. The vessel was sold, on Jul. 09, 1963, to the Bulgarian state trading company 'Imextracom Etablissement Texim' of Varna, Bulgaria (northern Black Sea coast) & renamed Beni Saf. And was sold or transferred, in 1967, to 'Navigation Maritime Bulgare', also of Varna. The vessel was broken up, in 1974, in Bulgaria. Can anyone advise what happened in Oct. 1959, (2nd para in 1). And advise also why 'Fabre Line' is on the vessel. Was the vessel chartered to Fabre Line, perhaps? The above may well contain errors. Corrections are invited.
320	Borba 4455 (or 4457) tons Hull 762 5048253	1948	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Borba), 2 (Companhia Nacional de Navega��o, Borba), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 129.66 metres long overall, 122.1 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12.7 or 13 knots, crew of 33, with accommodation for 12 passengers, signal letters CSIY. Built for 'Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Ind�stria e Transportes', of Lisbon, Portugal, & registered there. It would seem that the vessel was laid up, on Oct. 23, 1971, in the Mar da Palha, Estu�rio do Tejo, i.e. at the 'Sea of Straw' in the estuary of the Tagus river, at Lisbon. The vessel was transferred to 'Companhia Nacional de Navega��o' in 1971 or 1972, when the companies merged. The vessel was still laid up in Jun. 1972. On Feb. 20, 1973, the vessel left under tow by Montsant, (a Spanish tug, perhaps) for ship breakers at Castellon, Spain. On Feb. 27, 1973, the vessel arrived at the Castellon ship breaking facilities of I. M. Varela Davalillo, to be broken up. The above may well contain unintended errors - the WWW translation of Portuguese into English appears to be most difficult. Anything you can add?
321	Braga 4455 (or 4403) tons Hull 760 5050103	1948	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Braga), 2 (Companhia Nacional de Navega��o, Braga), 3 (routes), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 129.56 metres long overall, 122.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular (400 ft.), speed of 12.8 or 13 knots, crew of 33. Built for 'Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Ind�stria e Transportes', of Lisbon, Portugal, & registered there. The vessel was transferred to 'Companhia Nacional de Navega��o' in 1971 or 1972, when the companies merged. The vessel served ports in W. Africa (Angola & Congo) & European ports north to Hamburg. On Jan. 15, 1977, or, per Miramar, on Jan. 14, 1977, while en route from Sao Tome, off Gabon, to Luanda, Angola, with a partial general cargo, the vessel suffered a fire & an explosion, when off the coast of Angola, between Ambrizete & Ambriz. Two crewmen died & 6 were injured. The 6 crewmen, together with the 32 remaining crew members, were landed at Luanda by a Spanish fishing vessel. The blazing vessel was taken in tow to Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. The vessel, essentially gutted by the fire, was determined to be beyond economic repair. She was accordingly later towed out to sea & scuttled on May 06, 1977, off Pointe Noire. Anything you can add?
322	Bragan�a 4455 tons Hull 758 5050115	1948	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Braganca), 2 (Companhia Nacional de Navega��o), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 129.57 metres long overall, 122.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12.8 or 13 knots, crew of 33. Built for 'Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Ind�stria e Transportes', of Lisbon, Portugal, & registered there. The vessel was transferred to 'Companhia Nacional de Navega��o' in 1971 or 1972, when the companies merged. On Nov. 11, 1974, the vessel arrived at the San Esteban de Pravia, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'Desguaces Aviles SA', to be broken up. And was scrapped in 1975. Anything you can add?
323	Interpreter 6815 tons Hull 747 182429 5162011 Taxiarchis Michael	1948	A cargo ship. Per 1 (reference 60% down, also 90% down, Interpreter), 2 (data, Herdsman 1960 tow), 3 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Interpreter), 4 (66 1/2 in. long builder's model, Interpreter, many images), 5 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 140.4 metres long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 461 ft. long, speed of 14 knots, accommodation for 8 passengers & an additional deck under the bridge structure for those passengers. Herdsman & Factor were her sister ships. Built for Thos. & Jas. Harrison (Charente Shipping Co.), of Liverpool, T. & J. Harrison Ltd., the managers. In 1960, the vessel, disabled, was towed by Herdsman into Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. The vessel was sold, in 1967, to 'Polina Armadora SA', of Piraeus, Greece, or perhaps of Panama, & renamed Taxiarchis Michael. Taxiarchis Michael Panormitis? A Byzantine monastery located on Symi Island, near the island of Rhodes, Greece. On Sep. 16, 1969, the vessel left Rotterdam bound for Singapore & suffered engine damage en route. The damage must have been major because on Nov. 28, 1969, the vessel left Singapore Roads bound for Whampoa, (i.e. Huangpu, an outer port of Guangzhou, China), where it arrived on or prior to Dec. 12, 1969, to be broken up. Can you add anything?
324	Westbank 5957 tons Hull 761 182096 5378972 Simba Santa Helena	1948	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 (Bank Line, Westbank), 2 & 3 (1952 grounding refs. Search for Westbank), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 464.3 ft. long (141.52 metres) overall, 444.0 ft. long (135.33 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, signal letters MAXW, 1090 MN oil engines by William Doxford & Sons Ltd. of Sunderland. Built for Andrew Weir & Co. Limited's 'Bank Line Limited', of Glasgow. In 1952, at a date that I have not yet read, the vessel ran aground on Juan De Nova Island, off the W. coast of Madagascar. Arusha, a tug, I read, came to her assistance. Westbank clearly was re-floated since temporary repairs were later carried out at Durban, South Africa, while permanent repairs awaited her return to Smith's Dock, North Shields. Can anybody tell us about the detailed circumstances of the grounding? At links 2 & 3 above & in this message to the webmaster, Alan Rawlinson tells us (thanks!) that, late in 1952 & at night, Westbank ran at full speed onto a beach at the island of Juan De Nova - fortunately onto a sandy beach. Bruce Carney was the Chief Officer on watch - later exonerated when his sight book was re worked at the Bank Line London Office, the cause being found to be 'an unusual current'. She was hauled off the island & temporarily repaired in Durban (big steel girders slapped fore & aft at the bilges) & the vessel sailed for Immingham with a fullish cargo of manganese ore. It was more than a big bump! The Indian lookout who had been on duty was asked if he had seen the island ahead, and he confirmed that he had. But his job was only to ring the forecastle bell if he saw lights, and there were none! In 1965, the vessel was sold to 'Katani Shipping Co. SA' ('Katani'), of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Simba. Katani renamed the vessel Santa Helena in 1969. In 1970, the vessel was sold to 'Oceanica Surena Nav. SA', also of Piraeus, with no change of vessel name. On Apl. 11, 1974, the vessel arrived at the Santander, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'Recuperaciones Submarinas', to be broken up. Anything you can add? Another image?
325	Belas 4448 tons Hull 764 5039381 Esperos V	1949	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio), 2 (Companhia Nacional de Navega��o), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 129.77 metres long, speed of 12.8 knots, crew of 32. Built for 'Sociedade Geral de Com�rcio, Ind�stria e Transportes', of Lisbon, Portugal, & registered there. Transferred to 'Companhia Nacional de Navega��o' in 1972, when the companies merged. The vessel was sold, in 1977, (or maybe in 1978) to S. C. Vazeos, of Piraeus, Greece, who may only be the managers, renamed Esperos V (or possibly Isperos V) & registered at Panama. In Jan. 1979, the vessel arrived at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, to be broken up. Anything you can add? A good late image which would likely resolve the name issue?
326	British Fortune 6108 tons Hull 763 182931	1949	A tanker. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 128.9 metres long, 423 ft., speed of 11 knots. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' No WWW word about her service history, indeed no WWW word whatsoever about the vessel. On Sep. 12, 1961, the vessel arrived at the Briton Ferry, Wales, ship breaking facilities of T. W. Ward Ltd., to be broken up. Anything you can add?
327	British Liberty 8589 (or 6138?) tons Hull 765 183009 505286	1949	A tanker. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.3 metres long overall, 141.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 11 1/2 knots. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (in 1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' WWW available data about this vessel is non-existent. And the available image (at left) has tonnage & length data which seems not to reconcile. Perhaps that data does not refer to this vessel after all, but it seems not to relate to any other vessel of the name either. On Jun. 27, 1964, the vessel arrived at the Hong Kong ship breaking facilities of 'Mollers' Ltd.', to be broken up. Anything you can add? No.1867

328		Trelawny 5414 tons Hull 768 183080 Jag Rahat Panagia Odigitria	1949	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres (443 ft.) long, speed of 12 1/2 (or 13) knots. Built for The Hain Steamship Co., Ltd., of London (company previously was of St. Ives, Cornwall, until purchased by P&O in 1917). The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, once, on Mar. 4, 1956. The vessel was sold, in 1963, to 'Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Mumbai (previously Bombay), India, & renamed Jag Rahat. And sold, in 1969, to 'Sotir Cia. Aseguratora y Maritima SA', of Famagusta, Cyprus, or maybe to 'Panagia Odigitria Shipping Co., also of Cyprus, & renamed Panagia Odigitria. In 1972, the vessel was sold to 'Pantocrator Cia Aseguratora y Maritima SA', also of Famagusta. On Aug. 09, 1974, the vessel arrived at the Karachi, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of 'Gujranwala Steel Industries Ltd.' to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Can you correct the above or add anything?
329		Trelevan 5386 tons Hull 770 183132 5367960 Sydney Breeze Global Envoy Baffin Bay	1949	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Hain Line, Trelevan (2)], 2 (Sydney Breeze, image, at Christmas Island), 3 (image, Sydney Breeze, but you must be registered to see it), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots. Built for The Hain Steamship Co., Ltd., of London (company previously was of St. Ives, Cornwall, until purchased by P&O in 1917). The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand ('NZ'), once, on Apl. 26, 1953 - the NZ site seems to refer to the vessel being then owned by Hain-Nourse Ltd. The vessel was sold, in 1964, to 'Cambay Prince Steamship Co. Ltd.', of Hong Kong, which company was presumably owned by John Manners & Co. Ltd., also of Hong Kong, & renamed Sydney Breeze. A 1966 ref. to the vessel loading phosphates at Christmas Island, S. of Java. In 1970, the vessel was sold to Global Navigation Ltd., of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, & renamed Global Envoy. In 1973, it would seem with no change of owner, the vessel was renamed Baffin Bay & registered at Nassau, Bahamas. The vessel was laid up at Sorel, Quebec, for several years. At 6:30 a.m. on Jul. 05, 1973, the vessel, carrying a cargo of grain, was bunkering at the Texaco Canada Ltd. dock at Texaco's Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, refinery. Baffin Bay suffered a serious fire in her engine room. It would seem that 3 Canadian Forces vessels, all with fire-fighting capability, fought the fire. The damage must have been considerable because the ship was declared a constructive total loss & on Oct. 04, 1973, the vessel arrived under tow at Valencia, Spain, to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Can you correct the above and/or add anything?

330		Trelissick 5386 (or 5388) tons Hull 769 183107 5424433 Kinross Zhe Hai 106	1949	A cargo ship. Per 1 ('pdf', P&O Heritage data, Trelissick), 2 (1972 sale to Yick Fung, see below), 3 (Zhe Hai 106), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres (443 ft.) long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 (or 13) knots. Built for The Hain Steamship Co., Ltd., of London (which company previously was of St. Ives, Cornwall, until purchased by P&O in 1917). The vessel was sold in 1963, for �112,000, to 'Chiao Mao Enterprises Limited', of Hong Kong, & renamed Kinross. I read that in 1967, 'Yick Fung Shipping & Enterprises Co. Ltd.' ('Yick Fung') of Mogadishu, Somalia, became Kinross's manager. Steve Cross has been in touch (thanks Steve!) with a newspaper cutting believed to date from Aug. 02/03 1968, possibly from the 'Daily Express'. It refers to Decoy, a Royal Navy destroyer, being sent from Gibraltar to intercept Kinross, then off the North African coast near Algiers. In circumstances where Kinross's captain anticipated a mutiny amongst the Chinese crew. Can anybody tell us what later happened? Mile Davies has told us - see lower in this listing. In 1972, Yick Fung bought the vessel - with no change of vessel name. And in 1974, again with no change of vessel name, the ship was sold to 'China Ocean Shipping Co.' of Shanghai, China. It would appear that the vessel later was renamed Zhe Hai 106 & served on the China coast for many years (thanks 'Ships Monthly'). The vessel was likely scrapped, in China, after 1997. Now Miramar advise that the vessel was deleted from the lists in 1992. WWW data about the vessel is still quite limited. Can you correct the above or add anything? Miles Davies, in the summer of 1968 a radio operator aboard HMS Decoy, has kindly been in touch with a first hand account of the 1968 'mutiny' situation referred to above. We thank you Miles! You can read his report here, at the bottom of this page.
331		Trelyon 5414 (or 5415) tons Hull 767 183048 5397094 Yunglutation Hua Shan	1949	A cargo ship. Per 1 (New Zealand), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres (443 ft.) long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 or 13 knots. There was an article about the vessel, I read, in Vol. 69 of 'Sea Breezes', in 1995. Built for The Hain Steamship Co., Ltd., of London (which company previously was of St. Ives, Cornwall, until purchased by P&O in 1917). The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, 3 times between Oct. 1950 & Jun. 1961. The ship was sold, in 1963, to 'Chiao Mao Enterprises Ltd.', of Hong Kong, & renamed Yunglutation. In 1974, the vessel was sold to 'Yick Fung Shipping & Enterprises Co. Ltd.' of Mogadishu, Somalia, with no change of vessel name. And sold again, later in 1974, to 'China Ocean Shipping Co.' (COSCO), of Shanghai, China, & renamed Hua Shan. Miramar used to indicate that Hua Shan was owned by the Chinese Government. The vessel was deleted from the lists in 1992. But where & when broken up I have not read. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Anything you can add?

332

British Defender
3335/6138 (N/G) tons
Hull 779

183298
5052553

El Flamingo

1950

Initially a tanker, the vessel was, in 1969, converted into a hopper/dredger. Per 1 (data at 'Ships Nostalgia'), 2 (data & image), 3 (data), 4 (data, search for El Flamingo), 5 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access).
422.87 ft. long (128.89 metres) overall, 406.0 ft. long (123.7 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, later 400.0 ft., speed of 11 knots, signal letters GCDD, 2250 BHP oil engines by William Doxford & Sons Limited, of Sunderland. Rated at 2500 BHP in 1969. No crew lists for the vessel seem to be available.
The vessel was launched on Feb. 02, 1950, for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London, & was christened by Mrs. Catherine Detchon, wife of the then Commodore Chief Engineer of Tanker, Mr. J. G. Detchon. Was first registered, at London, on Jul. 20, 1950. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (in 1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.'
In 1961, the vessel was in collision with Clan Maclennan (a cargo ship built in 1947 by Greenock D.Y. & Co. Ltd., of Greenock, Scotland, owned by Clan Line) when approaching Beira, Mozambique (East Africa).
In 1965, the vessel was sold for about �70,000, & became owned by Trustee Secretaries Ltd., of London (F. C. Strick & Company (Newcastle) Ltd., her managers), which company in 1965 renamed the vessel El Flamingo.
Was idle at the Tyne for quite a while.
Became registered at Monrovia, Liberia, in 1969. In which year the vessel was converted into a self-unloading suction/hopper dredger, equipped, I read, with bottom doors. So modified, I read, to be able to dredge sand & aggregrate for the Maplin Sands Airport project, which project, located on the N. side of the Thames Estuary off Foulness, Essex, was intended to be a 3rd London airport complete with rail connections & a deep-water harbour for container ships. The project was finally approved in 1973 but was cancelled in Jul. 1974, surely a major blow to the vessel's then owners. The converted vessel was clearly one of the most advanced vessels of its time, & featured a completely automatic shipboard treatment plant which, I read, extracted, washed & size sorted gravel products at sea.
I have read words which suggested that J. Murphy & Sons Ltd. of Charlton, London, did the conversion work (can anybody confirm that?). I have read also that they owned El Flamingo for a short time, which ownership is confirmed, by a 'Google' snippet ex Vol. 24 & 25 (1970) of 'Marine News'. I have read also that the vessel had many problems with her dredging gear & spent more time being repaired than working.
In 1970, then, the vessel became owned by J. Murphy & Sons Ltd. of London & later in that year became owned by Transworld Marine Trailers Inc. of Monrovia.
In 1972, the vessel became London owned again, owned by Marcon RMC Ltd. (J. Murphy & Sons Ltd., her managers).
I read that the vessel was, for a number of years, laid up at King George V Dock in London.
On Feb. 02, 1982, El Flamingo was sold to Belcon Shipping & Trading Company Ltd., of London, & was towed to Bruges (Brugge in Dutch), Belgium, arriving there on Feb. 10, 1982. To be broken up at the shipbreaking facilities of 'Brugse Scheepssloperij NV'.
Is there anything you can add? And/or correct? #2559

333	British Diplomat 6155 tons Hull 781 184275	1950	A tanker. Per 1 (image), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 128.9 metres long overall, 123.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 11 knots. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later (1956) restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand once, on Feb. 20, 1958. On Dec. 21, 1961, the vessel arrived at the Grays, Essex, ship breaking facilities of T. W. Ward Ltd., to be broken up. No WWW word about her service history indeed no WWW word about the ship at all! Anything you can add?
334	Dartmoor 7657 (or 5324) tons Hull 771 183156 5400920 Archon Serafim	1950	A cargo ship. Per 1 & 2 (images & data, Archon Serafim), 3 (history, Runciman, Moor Line), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.5 metres long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots, signal letters SVQR. Sister to Exmoor. Built for Moor Line Ltd., of Newcastle, Walter Runciman & Co. Ltd., the managers. It would seem that the vessel became uneconomic to operate, & in 1962 the vessel was sold to 'Panormitis Cia SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Archon Serafim. Have seen a reference to the vessel being a 'D. Lemos' ship. They were the managers perhaps? From Mar. 10, 1971, the vessel was laid up at Piraeus. On Jan. 22, 1973 the vessel left Piraeus under tow. And on Jan. 30, 1973, the vessel arrived at the Halic, Istanbul, ship breaking facilities of Avram Kohen Bozmacilik Sirketi, to be broken up. WWW data is limited. Anything you can add?
335	Exmoor 5324 (or 7633) tons Hull 773 183199 5027522 Astir	1950	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Moor Line), 2 (1953 tow of Essex Trader), 3 (launch image, Exmoor, as it was shown (no longer) in 2014 in 'Sunderland Tugs and Shipbuilding in pictures'), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 136.4 metres long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots. Sister to Dartmoor. Built for Moor Line Ltd., of Newcastle, Walter Runciman & Co. Ltd., the managers. In early 1953, the vessel towed Essex Trader to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when she had lost her propeller & was drifting helplessly. A data 'snippet' advises that early in its life the vessel was chartered by the Nuffield Organization. Dartmoor, the vessel's sister, became uneconomic to operate, & was sold in 1962. It is likely that the same situation applied to Exmoor, which also was sold in 1962, to 'Astir Cia Naviera SA', of Beirut, Lebanon, & renamed Astir. On Apl. 17, 1972, the vessel left Singapore Roads for its final voyage to Chinese ship breakers. And on May 13, 1972, the vessel arrived at Shanghai, China, to be broken up. WWW data re the vessel is most limited. Anything you can add?
336	King City 5593 tons Hull 776 181154 5187516 Panagiotis Xilas Leon	1950	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 132.9 metres long overall, 126.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots. Built for Leeds Shipping Co. Ltd. ('Leeds'), of Bideford, Devon, & registered there. Leeds was owned by Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons Ltd., of Cardiff. A good ship in which to serve, it would seem. Malcolm Scott advises. The vessel was sold, in 1966, to 'Rimnes Cia Naviera SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Panagiotis Xilas. Miramar used to reference 'J. P. Xilas' (Xilas Shipping), the owner/manager perhaps? In 1971 or 1972, the vessel was sold to 'Vigli Maritime Co. Ltd.' ('Vigli'), of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Leon. On Oct. 23, 1978, the vessel arrived at the Villanueva y Geltru, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'Salvamento y Demolicion Naval', to be broken up. Can you help with more data.
337	La Sierra 3409/6189 (or 6183) tons Hull 775 183247 5085873 Dan Fodio Fos Kronos II Kronos I	1950	A cargo ship with bridge amidships. Per 1 (data, 55% down), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 464 ft. 4 in. (141.53 metres) long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, signal letters MFRF, oil engines by William Doxford & Sons Ltd., of Sunderland (have read of 5150 BHP). Owned by Buries Markes Ltd. & registered at London. More than one fleet vessel of that name however & data most limited. The vessel was sold, in 1959, to Nigerian National Shipping Line Ltd., of Lagos, Nigeria, & renamed Dan Fodio. In 1974, the vessel was sold to Exeter Navigation Co. Ltd. ('Exeter'), of Limassol, Cyprus, & renamed Fos. The vessel, still owned by Exeter it would seem, was renamed Kronos II in 1978 & later that same year Kronos I. I think that is the sequence as at Miramar, but the sequence may be reversed. How strange! Maybe related to this vessel? And to S. C. Vazeos, of Piraeus, Greece, the manager? The vessel was broken up, at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, in Oct. 1978. Can anybody help with more data?
338	Polamhall 5507 tons Hull 772 180090 5333268 Sokorri Panaghia Grigoroussa Buena Ventura II	1950	A cargo ship, 'of the complete superstructure type, with forecastle, cruiser stern and soft nosed stem'. Per 1 (1961 grounding ref.), 2 [West Hartlepool Polamhall (3)], 3 (ref. 'newcastle steam ship', 02/06/2008), 4 (image, Polamhall, but you must be registered to see it), 5 (image, Panaghia Grigoroussa), 6 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 136.5 metres (447 ft. 9 in.) long overall, 128.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 knots. Built for West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. ('Hartlepool'), of West Hartlepool. The 3rd fleet vessel of the name. Ken Bromley, who served aboard the ship in 1956, refers to the vessel being 'newcastle steam ship co'. Can anybody explain that reference? Was 'Newcastle' associated perhaps with Hartlepool or maybe was a subsidiary of Hartlepool? Dry-docking & general repairs, in 1952, at 'Harland & Wolff Ltd.', of Belfast. In 1961, Brian Joyce, 5th engineer, & Peter W. (William) Finnie, 3rd officer, both aged 23, were fined �50 each for stealing 25 bottles of whisky from the ship, when at New Orleans. The ship really carried 25 or more bottles of whisky? Doubtless used for medicinal purposes! In Dec. 1961, the vessel suffered an engine failure & was grounded off Walvis Bay, S. Africa. The vessel was re-floated & towed to Walvis Bay for repairs. The vessel was sold, in 1962, to 'Socoa Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Sokorri. In 1971, the vessel was sold to 'Virgo Shipping Co. Ltd.' of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Panaghia Grigoroussa. Had engine trouble off Cowes on Oct. 14, 1972. The vessel was sold again, in 1975, to 'Manites Cia. Naviera S.A.', of Panama, & renamed Buena Ventura II. In Feb. 1977, the vessel arrived at the Gadani Beach, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of 'Indus Importers', to be broken up. A Google books 'snippet' reads, however, that the vessel was sold to Taiwanese ship-breakers for about $103 per Ltd. Can you add anything?
339	Treloske 5386 (or 5388) tons Hull 774 183219 Yungfutary	1950	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 135.0 metres (442 ft. 11 in.) long overall, 128.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, (419 ft. 7 in.), speed of 12 1/2 knots. Built for The Hain Steamship Co. Ltd., of London. Who had earlier owned 3 ships of the identical name. The vessel was engaged, in part at least, in the transport of grain from Australia to Japan. In 1963, the vessel was sold to 'Chiao Mao Enterprises Ltd.', of Hong Kong, 'Yick Fung Shipping & Enterprises Co. Ltd.' the managers, & renamed Yungfutary. On Jul. 26, 27, or 28, 1968, (have read all three dates), the vessel, en route from Shanghai to Singapore with a general cargo, with a crew of 42 all told, ran aground in high seas at Breaker Rock, off the coast of Fukien Province, China. 300 miles NE of Hong Kong. The vessel both burned & was wrecked there. I have not read the detailed circumstances. There was no loss of life, all 42 aboard being rescued by Chinese patrol boats. WWW data about the vessel is most modest. Can anybody help with more data?
340	British Builder 8699 tons Hull 782 184397	1951	A tanker. Per 1 (1954 tow details, 30% down), 2 (image, but you must be registered to see it), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.3 metres long overall, 143.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 11 1/2 knots, launched on Jun. 14, 1950 & christened by Mrs. J. M. Wilson. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd., later restyled as BP Tanker Co. Ltd., of London. I read that the vessel broke her crankshaft on Aug. 18, 1954 off Albany, Western Australia. She was towed back into Albany & was towed from there to Aden by British Merit. There she loaded a full cargo of crude for the U.K. & was towed all the way home (except for passage of the Suez Canal handled by tugs) by British Baron, which was equipped with a towing winch. She reached the Isle of Grain, Kent, on Nov. 28, 1954 & after the discharge of her cargo, was towed to Doxford's at Sunderland for repairs. The distance covered during the tow was about 9,700 miles & is one of the longest on record by tankers. It would appear that the ship's engine was designed to be naturally aspirated, & upgrading the engines to charged or blown likely increased stress on the crankshaft. On Sep. 01, 1963, the vessel arrived at the Bruges, Belgium, ship breaking facilities of 'Brugse Scheepssloperij' to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is most modest. Can anybody help with more data?
341	British Craftsman 8697 tons Hull 783 184438	1951	A tanker. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 490 ft. 0 in. long (149.35 metres) overall, 143.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 11 1/2 knots, signal letters GCCZ. The vessel was initially powered by a Doxford four-cylinder engine, but later, in 1953, it was converted by the installation of a 'Doxford Accumulator Fuel Injection System'. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd., of London, later restyled as BP Tanker Co. Ltd. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Sep. 05, 1951. I read, in a snippet of data, that the vessel ran aground near Stockholm in or before 1955. It would seem that the vessel was, in 1958, anchored for 6 months off the south coast of England. The vessel was sold to German ship breakers 'at the good price of �15 per ton light displacement' & on Sep. 02, 1964 arrived at the Hamburg, Germany, facilities of 'Eisen u.Metall AG', to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is almost non-existent. Can anybody help with more data?
342	Charlton Venus 11382 (or 11022) tons Hull 792 184550 5225617 Marivenus Manuella	1951	A tanker. Per 1 ('Charlton Steam Shipping' but passenger vessels only listed), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.3 metres long overall, 153.9 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for Charlton Steam Shipping Co. Ltd., of London, a subsidiary of Chandris Lines since 1945. Ray Christie, a site visitor advises (thanks!), that Richard Purvis, Ray's uncle, was the Captain of Charlton Venus until her sale in 1961 & indeed was present, representing the future owners, during her construction at Sunderland. Now there were, I know, periods when cargoes of oil products were scarce & during those periods tankers would be laid up or forced to seek other cargoes. Ray advises in this regard that Charlton Venus carried grain from Texas to both Rotterdam & Antwerp & in 1958 carried cargoes of wine from Chile to Rouen, & also to S�te, both in France. Wine to France? How extraordinary! The vessel was sold, in 1961, to 'Armadores Internacional SA', of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Marivenus. The vessel was sold again, in 1966, to Nicos J. Vardinoyannis (1931/1973), of Greece (Crete probably), & renamed Manuella, Varaima Shipping Agency Ltd., or Varnima Corp., the managers? Along with Ioanna V, the vessel was used, in 1966, to break the Rhodesian oil blockade, carrying (or maybe trying to carry) Iranian crude oil to Beira, Mozambique, for onward shipping by pipeline to Rhodesia. Can anyone tell us exactly what happened? A boarding party from British frigate HMS Berwick boarded her on Apl. 10, 1966, 150 miles SE of Beira, the boarding being permitted by a United Nations resolution. The vessel was diverted away from Beira, I read, & had its Greek status revoked. The cargo maybe was landed at Durban? What then happened to the vessel & her captain? On Apl. 20, 1979, the vessel arrived at the Castellon, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'I. M. Varela Davalillo' to be broken up. Can anybody help with more data?
343	Wanderer 8150 tons Hull 790 183818 5385900 Cleopatra Chung Thai	1951	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Wanderer (3)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for Charente Steamship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool (Harrison Line). 140.3 metres long overall, 132.8 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 or 13 knots, built on the shelter deck principle with raised forecastle, crew housed amidships, & some passenger capacity, (likely 12). Sister to Arbitrator & Wayfarer. A builder's model of the vessel was sold at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, for �6,200, on Jan. 21, 2003. In 1970, the vessel was sold to Tricia Shipping Co. Ltd., of Famagusta, or maybe of Nicosia, Cyprus, & renamed Cleopatra. In 1974, the vessel was sold again, to 'Chung Lien Nav. Co. SA', of Panama, (have also read of Monrovia, Liberia) & renamed Chung Thai. On Sep. 09, 1974, the vessel arrived at the Masan, South Korea (now part of Unified Changwon City), ship breaking facilities of Dongkuk Steel Mills Co. Ltd., to be broken up. There really is very little WWW available data about such a relatively recent vessel. Anything you can add?
344	Wayfarer 8150 (or 8032) tons Hull 786 183811 5386980 Mitera Zafira	1951	A freighter. Per 1 (data), 2 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Wayfarer (3)], 3 (data, images, Mitera Zafira), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for Charente Steamship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool (Harrison Line). 140.3 metres long overall, 460 ft. 5 in., 132.8 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 or 13 knots, built on the shelter deck principle with raised forecastle, crew housed amidships, & some passenger capacity (likely 12). Sister to Arbitrator & Wanderer. In 1972, the vessel was sold to 'Cassiopeian Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Famagusta, Cyprus, (A. & G. Kyrtatas the manager?) & renamed Mitera Zafira. On Mar. 07 or 08, 1973, while en route from Ashod, Israel, (S. of Tel Aviv), to Romania with a cargo of iron ore, the vessel grounded & caught fire 2 miles off Costinesti, near Constanza, on the Black Sea coast of Romania. The vessel was abandoned & sank on Mar. 16, 1973. But.... I have also read a) that it ran aground & simultaneously caught fire only on Mar. 15/16, 1973, & b) it was carrying phosphates, which ex Ashod seems to be more likely than iron ore. Anything you can add?
345	Caltex Calcutta 8523 (or 8527) tons Hull 789 184703 5505833	1952	A tanker. Per 1 (data, Caltex Calcutta), 2 (image, Caltex Calcutta, but you must be registered to access it), 3 ('Overeas Tankship' history), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for 'Overseas Tankship (U.K.) Ltd.' ('Tankship'), of London, part of a company which began in 1936 as a joint venture between the Texas Company (Texaco) & Standard Oil of California (Chevron Corporation), under the name of the California Texas Oil Company. Tankship later became Texaco Overseas Tankship Limited. Designed for trading in the Indian Ocean, transporting petroleum products from Bahrein, to India, Pakistan, Ceylon & East Africa with a native crew. One of 4 similar vessels built by Doxford. 149.5 metres long overall (491 ft. 0 in.), 141.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 (or 13 1/2) knots, 'designed for refined products but more importantly .. fitted with heating coils to enable them to carry lube oils.' A long list of ports visited (mainly from 1, but the data seems no longer to be there) - U.S. Gulf ports, Fiji, Melbourne, (6 months on Australian coastal service based at Botany Bay), Auckland etc., New Zealand, (visited Auckland 3 times between Dec. 23, 1954 & Jun. 03, 1956), Port Elizabeth, East London & Cape Town in S. Africa, Bahrein & Abadan, Mombasa, Colombo, Madras, & (yes!) Calcutta in the Indian Ocean. Thru the Suez canal many times. At Galveston, Texas, in Mar. 1966 to repair damage that resulted from a hurricane. It sounds like it was a happy ship in which to serve. On Jan. 15, 1967, the vessel arrived at the Mihara, Japan, ship breaking facilities of Matsukura, to be broken up. WWW data re the vessel is really quite modest. Jeff Stokes served aboard the vessel & has written (thanks!) as follows - 'My 1st ship as engineer cadet, joined Avonmouth late 1961 with another cadet, both from Eastbourne. Sailed for American Gulf ports for full load of lube oils, but smashed up badly in Atlantic (Sargasso) & spent 6 weeks in ship yard at Port Arthur, Texas. I sailed on her a 2nd time later as a Junior Engineer. The timing chain broke on my 8-12 watch, the Chief & 2nd would not believe I could hear a noise in the timing chain casing - they believed me when they saw the chain wrapped around the crankshaft when sailing thru� the Strait of Hormuz. Sailed on 3 of these little Doxford tankers, good old engines & auxiliaries (Mirrlees). Pity Doxford lost it�s way, great memories.' Can you add to or correct the above?
346	Caltex Kenya 8523 tons Hull 784 184594 5058521 Texaco Kenya	1952	A tanker. Per 1 (A fine painting of Caltex Kenya at sea. Have not spotted who painted it.), 2 (data, Caltex Kenya) 3 ('Overeas Tankship' history), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for 'Overseas Tankship (U.K.) Ltd.' ('Tankship'), of London, part of a company which began in 1936 as a joint venture between the Texas Company (Texaco) & Standard Oil of California (Chevron Corporation), under the name of the California Texas Oil Company. The first of 4 similar vessels built by Doxford. 149.5 metres long overall (490 ft. 6 in.), 141.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 (or 13 knots, 13 3/4 knots at trials). Launched by Lady Gilmour Jenkins. Designed for trading in the Indian Ocean, & specifically transported petroleum products from Bahrein, Persian Gulf, to East Africa it would appear. With a native crew. Tankship later became Texaco Overseas Tankship Limited & ownership passed to that name in 1967. The vessel ran into heavy weather & sustained substantial damage, I read in a 'snippet', while en route in 1967 from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines. In 1968, the vessel was renamed Texaco Kenya. And in 1969 the vessel was transferred to Texaco Panama Inc., of Monrovia, Liberia, with no change of vessel name. On Oct. 30, 1971, the vessel arrived at the Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ship breaking facilities of 'Ta Zong Steel & Iron Co. Ltd.', to be broken up. WWW data re the vessel is modest. Can you add to or correct the above?
347	Caltex Tanganyika 8523 tons Hull 787 184642 5505877	1952	A tanker. Per 1 (data, Caltex Tanganyika), 2 ('Overeas Tankship' history), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for 'Overseas Tankship (U.K.) Ltd.' ('Tankship'), of London, part of a company which began in 1936 as a joint venture between the Texas Company (Texaco) & Standard Oil of California (Chevron Corporation), under the name of the California Texas Oil Company. Tankship later became Texaco Overseas Tankship Limited. Designed for trading in the Indian Ocean, transporting petroleum products from Bahrein, to India, Pakistan, Ceylon & East Africa with a native crew. One of 4 similar vessels built by Doxford. 149.5 metres long overall (490 ft. 6 in.), 141.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 (or 13 or 13 1/2 knots, 13 3/4 knots at trials). In Oct. 1966, the vessel arrived at the Hirao, Japan, ship breaking facilities of Matsukura, to be broken up. WWW data re the vessel is modest. Can you add to or correct the above?
348	British Envoy 11349 tons Hull 798 185985 Clyde Envoy British Envoy	1953	A tanker. Per 1 (ref. Avocet Rock, 60% down, '3rd January 2009' #4), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 166.7 metres long, 525.5 ft., speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for British Tanker Co. Ltd. ('Tanker'), of London. Tanker, the ship owning & operating subsidiary of British Petroleum Company, Ltd., was later restyled as 'BP Tanker Company Ltd.' ('Tanker2'). I presume that the vessel would have carried petroleum products from the Persian Gulf. In 1958, the vessel was transferred? to 'BP Clyde Tanker Company Ltd.' & renamed Clyde Envoy. In 1963, the vessel became owned by Tanker2 & the name reverted to British Envoy. It would seem that in 1964, the vessel ran onto Avocet Rock, off Yemen, 18 miles NNW of Abu Ali islands at the S. end of the Red Sea. At 14.22.8N/42.41.32E. And 'sustained serious bottom damage and had to go back to a drydock (Genoa) for repairs.' No data available however, about the circumstances. The vessel arrived at Inverkeithing, Firth of Forth, Scotland, on Apl. 04, 1970, to be broken up. As you can see from the scarcity of links above, the WWW record for the vessel is most limited. Anything to add? There are, in Jun. 2024, images of British Envoy e-Bay available. Forgive me when I invite you to find them for yourself - most of them have what I consider to be excessive logos across the images & I prefer not to reward the vendors with links to their items.
349	Diplomat 8202 (or 8200) tons Hull 794 185463 5090488 Antonios	1953	A freighter. Per 1 [Harrison, Diplomat (3)], 2 (Harrison, data, image Diplomat) & 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Turbine powered. 141.3 metres long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 knots, 4 masts. Built for Charente Steamship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool (Harrison Line). Registered at Liverpool. The vessel was sold, in 1972, to Dioskouri Shipping Co. Ltd., of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Antonios. And was sold again, in 1976, to Tamassos Shipping Co. SA, also of Famagusta, with no change of vessel name. On Aug. 08, 1980, the vessel arrived at the Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ship breaking facilities of Mao Chen Iron & Steel Co. to be broken up. Can anybody tell us more?
350	Jersey Spray 4421/7829 (N/G) tons, have also read 5488 tons Hull 797 185913 5167695 Lake Pennask Jag Rakshak Dimitrakis Kim Lita Lita 1 Rita 1	1953	A diesel freighter. Per 1 (Morel, Jersey Spray), 2 & 3 (images, Lake Pennask), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 447 ft. 10 in. (136.50 metres) long overall, 128.0 metres (420 ft. 0 in.)perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 12 1/2 or 13 knots, signal letters GQLY, 3,300 or 3,830 BHP oil engines by William Doxford & Sons Ltd., of Sunderland. A vessel which had many names thru its lifetime. Built for Morel Limited, of London & Cardiff. The 'Morel' family originated in Jersey, Channel Islands, hence 'Jersey' in the name. In 1956, the 'Morel' fleet of 3 vessels was sold & the company was wound up, (Jersey Dawn & Jersey Mist were the other two vessels), Jersey Spray being sold, on Mar. 25, 1956, to Canadian interests, for about �840,000. The new owners would seem to have been 'Lake Pennask Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Glasgow & Vancouver, Canada, a subsidiary of 'Western Canada Steamship Co. Ltd.' ('Western'), also of Glasgow, & renamed Lake Pennask. 'Lyle Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Glasgow & Canada, were the managers. Early in 1958, the vessel was converted by the addition of adjustable wooden decks in each of her 5 holds, which permitted her to carry 900 cars from U.K. to U.S.A., where previously she could carry 250-300 only. Engine repairs in 1960. It would seem that she was transferred, in 1960, into the direct ownership of Western, with no change of name. Later, in 1963, the vessel was sold to 'Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Bombay (now Mumbai), India, & renamed Jag Rakshak. In 1965, the vessel was sold to 'Compa��a Maritima Halki SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Dimitrakis. In 1968, the vessel was sold to 'General Navigation S.A', of Mogadishu, Somalia, J. D. Criticos the manager?, with no change of name. In 1973, the vessel was sold to 'Travery S.A', also of Mogadishu, no change of manager, & renamed Kim. In 1975, the vessel was acquired by 'Li-Ta Shipping Co. (Pte.) Ltd.' ('Li-Ta'), of Singapore, & renamed Lita. Li-Ta renamed the vessel Lita 1 in 1977, registered at Panama. From Feb. 07, 1978, the vessel was laid up at Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1979, the vessel was sold to 'Bective Shipping Corp.', of Panama, & renamed Rita 1. In 1983, the vessel was broken up by unnamed ship breakers at Jakarta, Indonesia. Can anybody tell us more?
351	Sylvafield 11243 tons Hull 796 169249 5347219 Georgian Valour	1953	A tanker. Which would seem to have had quite a short life. Per 1 (ref. to 1963 refit, Sylvafield, 1st item), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 166.7 metres long overall, 157.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for Northern Petroleum Tank Steamship Co. Ltd., of Newcastle, owned by 'Hunting & Son Ltd.'. On Dec. 19, 1963, the vessel arrived for a refit at Smiths Docks, Tyneside. In 1965, the vessel was sold to 'Pantheon Corporation', of Liberia, & renamed Georgian Valour. On Aug. 18, 1967, (I think that is the correct year), John Panthos, Captain of Georgian Valour, was fined $500 in a Sorel, Quebec, Canada, court for discharging oil into the St. Lawrence River. On Sep. 16, 1971, Miramar advises me, the vessel arrived at the Bilbao, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'Hierros Ardes' to be broken up. WWW data is, as you can see from the above, essentially non-existent re this vessel. Can anybody tell us more?
352	Aghia Marina 6498 tons Hull 803 5004661 Brazen Eagle	1954	A cargo ship. Per 1 (data & image), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 147.5 metres long overall, 137.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots. Owned by 'Porto Blanco Cia. Nav. S.A.' of Syros, Greece, but registered at Panama. The vessel was sold, in 1964, to 'Cia de Nav. Golfo Azul SA', of Syra, Greece, with no change of vessel name. The vessel was sold again in 1971, again with no change of vessel name, to 'Aghia Marina Maritima SA', also of Syra. In 1979, the vessel was sold again, to Eagle Star Maritime Co. Ltd., of Panama City, Panama, & renamed Brazen Eagle. On Jun. 15, 1980. the vessel arrived at the Gadani Beach, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of Alam Trading Co. Ltd., to be broken up. Demolition commenced on Aug. 20, 1980. WWW data is most limited. Can you add anything more?
353	Barrister 8366 (or 8365) tons Hull 802 185501 5037371 George Georgy	1954	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Barrister (5)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 141.4 metres long overall, 463 ft. 10 in., 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 knots, signal letters MSFP. Built for Charente Steam Ship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool, ('Harrison Line') owned & managed by Thos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., of Liverpool. In 1974, the vessel was sold, for about �510,000, to Empire Maritime Ltd. ('Empire'), of Monrovia, Liberia, delivered at Manchester & renamed George. Empire, it would seem was Greek owned. It was sold again, in 1976, to 'Panormitis Marine Co. Ltd.', of Limassol, Cyprus, & renamed Georgy. The vessel was laid up, at Piraeus, Greece, from Feb. 19, 1977 to May 06, 1984. And then was sold to Spanish ship breakers to be broken up. The vessel arrived, prior to Jun. 02, 1984, at the Castellon, Spain, ship breaking facilities of 'Isaac Manuel Varela Davalillo'. Actual break up is said to have commenced on Jun. 01, 1984. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Can you add anything?
354	Border Lass 11344 (or 11343) tons Hull 800 169255 5048409 Mikrasiatis Juanita 1	1954	A tanker. Per 1 (30% down), 2 (image), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 166.7 metres long overall, 157.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots, signal letters GRBC. Owned by 'The Lowland Tanker Company Limited' ('Lowland'), of Newcastle, Common Brothers Management Ltd., or Common Bros. Ltd., the managers. A 'BP' tanker, it would seem, since Lowland was 50% owned by The British Petroleum Company (with the other 50% being split equally by 'Jardine Matheson' & 'Common Brothers Ltd.'), Lowland being formed to operate 10 chartered tankers, presumably including Border Lass. In 1970, the vessel was sold to 'Eretria Development Corp SA', ('Eretria'), of Chios, Greece, 'Vlassopulos Shipping Enterprises' of Greece the managers?, & renamed Mikrasiatis. In 1974, Eretria renamed the vessel *Juanita 1*. On Aug. 29, 1974 the vessel arrived at the Split, Yugoslavia, ship breaking facilities of 'Brodospas' to be broken up. Need more data!
355	Dona Evgenia 6611/11209 (N/G) tons (or 11208) tons Hull 804 5110331 Evgenia Evgenia I	1954	A tanker. Per 1 (Dona Evgenia, at right, fitting out in Oct. 1954), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 538 ft. 11 in. long (164.26 metres) long overall, 153.93 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots, signal letters HPQI later 5MMO, 6,450 BHP oil engines by Wm. Doxford & Sons Limited of Sunderland. Built for 'Compania Panamena Europea Navegacion Limitada', of Panama, (Chandris Limited, the managers or maybe the owners). In 1960, the vessel was sold to 'Prometheus Nav. Co. Ltd.' ('Prometheus'), of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Evgenia. Chandris still the managers. While still owned by Prometheus, the vessel was registered at Monrovia, Liberia, in 1963, & in 1979 was both renamed Evgenia I & registered at Panama. On Feb. 19, 1983 the vessel arrived at the Gadani Beach, near Karachi, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of 'Zulfiqar Metal' to be broken up. Actual break up commenced on Mar. 27, 1983. WWW data is non-existent. Can you add anything? An image?
356	Journalist 8366 tons Hull 801 185487 5176294 Aghia Thalassini Elissar	1954	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Journalist), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 141.4 metres long overall, 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for Thos. & Jas. Harrison's Charente Steamship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool. Was on West Indies service in 1969, but was transferred to East Africa service from Jan. 1970. In 1973, the vessel was sold to Neptune Shipping Co. Ltd., of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Aghia Thalassini. The vessel sailed between Cuba & Mediterranean & N. European ports, before transfer to Asian routes in 1976. In 1976, the vessel became owned by 'Lamyra Cia. Naviera SA', of Panama City, Panama. Served Kuwait, Bedi & Piraeus. Dates here. Became Greek registered in 1979. In 1981, the vessel was sold to Lebanese owners, registered at Beirut, renamed *Elissar* & traded in the Mediterranean. Dates here. On Jan. 28, 1982, the vessel left Beirut, Lebanon, for Gadani Beach, Pakistan, & on Feb. 18, 1982 it arrived at the 'Karim Shipbreaking Industries Ltd.' ship breaking facilities there to be broken up. Actual demolition commenced on Apl. 11, 1982. Much of the above data is presented courtesy of Peter Hadfield, whom we sincerely thank. Anything you can add?
357	Defender 8367 tons Hull 809 187116 5087572 Euromariner	1955	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Defender (2)], 2 (fine image & data, Euromariner), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 141.3 metres long overall, (463 ft. 10 in.), 132.7 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 knots, with a shortened forecastle, signal letters GTRT. Built for Thos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., (Charente Steamship Co. Ltd.). In 1975, the vessel was sold to 'Polimaris Maritime Corp.', of Greece, with 'Thenamaris Maritime Inc.', the managers & renamed Euromariner. Later (when I wonder?) the vessel was sold to 'Euromaris Maritime Corporation' ('Euromaris'), of Panama, (Thenamaris Maritime Inc., stayed as managers). On Jul. 20, 1977, the vessel suffered engine damage off Barranquilla, Colombia, & was scrapped at nearby Cartagena, Columbia, later that year. Indeed Euromaris sold the vessel in 1977 to be broken up & on Sep. 23, 1977, the vessel arrived at Cartagena, for that purpose. This listing is incomplete. Limited data has so far been located. Anything you can add?
358	Dona Myrto 11209 (or 11378) tons Hull 810 5092266 Al Nabila	1955	A tanker. Per 1 (brief New Zealand ref.), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.3 metres long overall, 153.9 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for 'Compania Panamena Europea Navegacion Limitada', of Panama, (Chandris Limited, the managers or maybe the owners). While I have not spotted the date (likely in 1956 or thereabouts however), the vessel was in collision, at night, with World Sea, off Willemstad, Cura�ao, off the coast of Venezuela. A court case resulted, but the available data 'snippets' provide no detail. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, once only, on Aug. 23, 1959. In 1972, the vessel was sold to 'Armadores Dona Myrto SA', also of Panama, with no change of vessel name. In 1979, the vessel was sold again, to 'Pyramids Navigation Co. ESA' of Alexandria, or of Cairo, Egypt, & renamed Al Nabila. On Sep. 08, 1983 the vessel arrived at the Gadani Beach, near Karachi, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of 'Bagasara Silk Industries' to be broken up. WWW data for the vessel is most limited. Can you add anything additional? Another image?
359	Leeds City 6162 tons Hull 807 181159 5205382 Ellispontos Georgetta Osia Irini Chrysovalandrou Stelitsa	1955	A cargo ship. Per 1 (image Georgetta), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 141.5 metres long overall, 133.0 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters GSZD. Built for Leeds Shipping Co. Ltd., owned by Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons. (Reardon Smith Line). In 1967, the vessel was sold, for approx. �390,000, to 'Cia Nav. Kanaris S.A.', of Piraeus, Greece, (but Panama mentioned also) & renamed Ellispontos. In 1970, it was sold to 'Navegadora Galante S.A.', of Piraeus, & renamed Georgetta. Chartered to Thai National Shipping Lines while so named but the dates of charter are unknown to the webmaster. Can anyone read/translate the port of registry at 1? It is probably Piraeus. The vessel was sold again, in 1975, to 'Astro Navios Oce�nicos SA', 'Rosalinda Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Greece, likely the managers, & renamed Osia Irini Chrysovalandrou. And sold, in 1979, to 'Suncap Maritime Co. SA', of Piraeus, 'Ayios Efthimios Shipping Co.', likely the managers, & renamed Stelitsa. Am not totally sure of the complete accuracy of those manager names. A period of lay up at Piraeus. In Jul. 1985, the vessel arrived at the Aliağa, western Turkey, ship breaking facilities of 'Gursoy Gemi Sokum' to be broken up. Actual break up commenced on Aug. 08, 1985. Anything you can add?
360	Tyria 5869 tons Hull 808 185025 5187578 King Jaja Esperos	1955	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Anchor Line, Tyria), 2 (data & image, *Tyria, 80% down), 3 (7 images, King Jaja), 4 (a Michael Cranfield image of King Jaja), 5 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 137.5 metres long overall, 129.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 425 ft., speed of 12 knots, signal letters GTMD. Built for Anchor Line Ltd., of Glasgow, which company was owned by United Molasses Co. (Athel Line). The vessel was initially engaged on the company's India service, but in 1956 the vessel was placed in service on their New York route. On Oct. 15, 1959, the vessel was sold, for about �450,000, to 'Nigerian National Line Ltd.' later 'Nigerian National Shipping Line Ltd.' ('Nigerian'), of Lagos, Nigeria, 'managed initially by Elder Dempster & Palm Line Ltd.', who were 49% shareholders of Nigerian, & renamed King Jaja. In 1975, the vessel was sold again, for about $500,000, to 'Ingramar Navigation Co. Ltd., of Limassol, Cyprus (have also read of Singapore), & renamed Esperos. 2 refers to 'Ingram Navigation Co's Primula Shipping Co. of Limassol'. Can anybody clarify? On May 09, 1976, the vessel was sold 'at Shahjah*' for scrapping at Gadani Beach, Pakistan. In May 1978, the vessel arrived at Gadani Beach, to be broken up. Anything you can add?

361	Dona Margarita 8716 (or 8854) tons Hull 813 5421302 Maririta Dona Margarita	1956	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 147.3 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 1/2 knots, signal letters ELZF. Built for 'Compania Panamena Europea Navegacion Limitada', of Panama, (Chandris Limited, the managers or maybe the owners), registered at Monrovia, Liberia. The vessel travelled to Bunbury, Western Australia, in 1962. In 1963, the vessel was sold to 'European Grain & Commodities Corp. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Maririta. In 1966, the vessel was sold to 'Irodotes Nav. SA', of Piraeus, & the vessel's name reverted to Dona Margarita. In 1972, the vessel was registered at Monrovia. In 1966, the vessel was acquired by 'Fifth Chandris Shipping Corp.', also of Monrovia. The vessel travelled much of the world - in time sequence to Bunbury, Osaka, Fushiki (Japan), Cadiz, New Orleans, Shuaiba (Kuwait), Marseilles, Singapore, Bangkok, Tarragona, Lagos, Abidjan, Buenos Aires, Tarragona, Basrah, Colombo, Abidjan, Genoa, Gibraltar, Rijeka, Bandar Abbas. Dates are here. On Jun. 26, 1981, (or perhaps on Jul. 07, 1981), the vessel arrived at Bombay, India, to be broken up. With actual demolition commencing in Jan. 1982. Much of the above data is presented courtesy of Peter Hadfield, whom we thank (yet again). WWW data is non-existent. Can you add anything? An image perhaps?
362	Kepwickhall 5779 (or 5568) tons Hull 816 180101 5185491 Fidentia Premier Arctic	1956	A cargo ship. Per 1 [West Hartlepool, Kepwickhall (4)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Built for 'West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company' ('WHart'). The 4th fleet vessel of the name. 143.0 metres long overall, 132.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular (435.0 ft.), speed of 13 1/2 knots, signal letters MXDG. Registered in 1961 in the name of Kepwick Shipping Co. Ltd. & possibly managed by WHart. A WHart company perhaps? The vessel was sold, in 1966, to Metcalfe Shipping Co., of Hartlepool, for about �410,000 & renamed Fidentia. The vessel was chartered to 'Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot Maatschappij' (Royal Netherlands Steamship Co.), of Amsterdam, Holland. It was sold again, in 1972, to 'Premier Shipping Corp. Inc.', of Singapore, & renamed Premier Arctic, (Singapore flag, later, in 1977, changed to Panama flag). In 1974, the vessel went aground on a Red Sea reef during a sandstorm. On May 30, 1979, the vessel was beached at the Gadani Beach, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of Indus Steel Trading Co. to be broken up. Can you add anything and/or correct the above?
363	New Westminster City 6159 (or 8136) tons Hull 814 187261 5250193 Protoapostolos Agios Andreas	1956	A cargo ship. Per 1 (image, Protoapostolos), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). The vessel was built for Reardon Smith Line Ltd., of Bideford (or perhaps of Cardiff). 141.5 metres long overall, 133.1 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters MWQD. The vessel was sold, in 1970, to Protoapostolos Shipping Co. Ltd., of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Protoapostolos. It was sold again, in 1976, to Agios Andreas Cia. Naviera S.A., of Panama, & renamed Agios Andreas. The vessel became Piraeus, Greece, based in 1978. The vessel was sold for scrap in the region of '$1.32 per l.t.d.' On Jun. 16, 1979, the vessel arrived at the Pohang, South Korea, ship breaking facilities of Kang Won Industrial Co. to be broken up. There is not a lot of data WWW available. Can you help?
364	Welsh City 5985 & 7974 tons (later 6160 & 8136) tons Hull 815 187262 321105 5387465 Aftadelfos	1956	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Owned by Reardon Smith Line Ltd. In 1968/69 at least, Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons Ltd. of Bideford were the vessel's managers. 436 ft. 6 in. long (133.045 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, 464 ft. 3 in. long (141.5 metres) overall, speed of 15 knots, signal letters MWPR later 5BGG. A now expired website advised that the vessel was fitted with 2 nine cylinder in-line 'Ruston' engines. The vessel was sold in 1968 to Apostolos Andreas Shipping Co. Ltd., of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Aftadelfos. On Apl. 21, 1979, the vessel arrived at Whampoa, (i.e. Huangpu, an outer port of Guangzhou, China), to be broken up. Not a lot of data is WWW available. Can you help?
365	Dona Edie 9746 tons Hull 821 5165063 Isobel Intra Tradition	1957	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 155.2 metres long overall, 143.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 knots. Built for 'Compania Panamena Europea Nav., Ltda.', of Piraeus, Greece, (Chandris Lines, of London, the managers?). Registered Liberia. There are many WWW pages about Chandris Lines, but all seem to relate to passenger & cruise services. Have found, so far, no page that deals with their merchant fleet of 30/40 vessels. The vessel was sold, in 1961, to Armadores International SA, of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Isobel. And sold in 1964, with no change of vessel name, to 'General Carriers SA', also of Piraeus. In 1981, the vessel was sold to 'Intercon Transport Management', of Panama, (maybe the managers rather than the owners?) & renamed Intra Tradition. On Feb. 21, 1982, the vessel arrived at the Bombay, India, ship breaking facilities of 'Akberali & Sons', to be broken up. WWW data is non-existent. Can you add anything?
366	Dona Katerina 9746 (or 9953) tons Hull 822 5092230	1957	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 155.2 metres long overall, 143.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 13 knots. WWW data is most limited. Built for 'Compania Panamena Europea Nav., Ltda.', of Piraeus, Greece. Registered at Monrovia, Liberia, but the vessel became Piraeus, Greece, registered in 1961. A Chandris Lines company, it would appear. In 1974, the vessel was sold or transferred to 'Sercond Chandris Shipping Corp.' of Monrovia. And in 1977, the vessel was sold to 'Democritus Navigation Ltd.' also of Monrovia. The vessel went through its entire life with its initial name. On Oct. 12, 1981, the vessel arrived at the Bombay, India, ship breaking facilities of 'Vishvanath Rooda & Co.' to be broken up. Can you add anything?
367	Firbank 6318 & 8351 tons Hull 817 185053 511541 5115410 Aegis Beauty Maldive Seafarer	1957	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Firbank (1)], 2 (image, Firbank), 3 (image, Aegis Beauty), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 487 ft. 0 in. long overall (148.4 metres), 350 ft. 0 in. long perpendicular to perpendicular (137.2 metres), speed of 13 or 14 knots, signal letters GVLS. The vessel was designed to carry vegetable oil, hence two gross tonnages reported by Lloyd's Register. Built for Bank Line Ltd., 'Andrew Weir Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd.' the managing owners. The vessel visited New Zealand 3 times between Feb. 1962 & May 1968. And visited New Orleans & Takoradi. Dates are here. Bob Parnell, of Australia, served aboard the vessel in 1965 & advises (thanks Bob!) as follows. The vessel was sold, in 1973, to 'Faith Maritime Co. Ltd.', of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Aegis Beauty, (N. D. Papalios, the owner of the Aegis Group). The vessel visited New Zealand once, as Aegis Beauty, on Jul. 23, 1975. And visited many other places, such as Aqaba, Helsinki, Karachi, Kuwait, Hong Kong & Sydney. And many other ports. Details here. In 1976, the vessel was sold to Elicon Shipping Enterprises Ltd., of Piraeus, Greece, with no change of vessel name. In 1978, the vessel was sold to 'Maldives Shipping Ltd.', of Male, Maldives, & renamed Maldive Seafarer. On Jun. 14, 1981, the vessel arrived at the Howrah, Calcutta, India, ship breaking facilities of 'Salim Abbas Bhai', to be broken up. Much of the above data is presented courtesy of Peter Hadfield, whom we thank. WWW data is most limited. Can you add anything?
368	Riverbank 6410 (have also seen 6318 & 8351) tons Hull 818 300166 5297191 Golden Season	1957	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Riverbank (1)], 2 (image, Riverbank), 3 & 4 (images, Golden Season), 5 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.4 metres long overall (487 ft.), 137.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots. Christened by Mrs. Jean Gilfillan, wife of the Chairman of Sunderland Shipbuilders. Built for Bank Line Ltd., of Glasgow, 'Andrew Weir Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd.' the managing owners. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Nov. 20, 1957. The vessel was sold in 1974, for about �600,000, to 'Guan Guan Shipping Pte. Ltd.' (or S.A.), of Singapore, & renamed Golden Season. On Jul. 20, 1985, the vessel arrived at Huangpu, an outer port of Guangzhou, China, to be broken up. WWW available data about the vessel is most limited. Can you add anything? #1888
369	Administrator 8627 became 8714 tons Hull 826 187193 5002871 Tyne Oriental Sea	1958	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Administrator), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.0 metres long overall, 489 ft., 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots. Built for 'Ruthin Steamship Co. Ltd.', of Hamilton, Bermuda, which company was a subsidiary of Charente Steamship Co. Ltd. ('Charente') i.e. Harrison Line, of Liverpool. The vessel was, however, registered at Liverpool. In 1966, the vessel was transferred to Charente. The vessel was sold, in 1978, to 'Stena Atlantic Line Ltd.', of Hamilton, Bermuda, & renamed Tyne. And sold again, later that year, to 'Oriental Maritime Pte Ltd.' of Singapore, & renamed Oriental Sea. On Dec. 29, 1978, the vessel arrived at the Chittagong, Bangladesh, ship breaking facilities of 'Trans Overseas' to be broken up. The WWW record for this vessel is truly minimal. Do you have anything to add?
370	Harpalyce 6803 or 6810 tons (later 9114 or 9963 or 10153 or 10296) tons Hull 824 187732 5143132 Patagonia Efcharis Intra Trophy	1958	A cargo ship. Per 1 [J. & C. Harrison, Harpalyce (6)], 2 (image, Harpalyce), 3 (summary history, source unknown, ex eBay), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.1 metres long overall, 137.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 450.0 ft., speed of 13 1/2 knots. Built for 'J. & C. Harrison Ltd.', of London. In 1967, the vessel was lengthened, to 164.9 metres long overall, 153.9 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 540 ft. 10 in., & became of 9114 or 10153 or 10296 gross tons - the reported tonnages for this vessel are confusing indeed. The vessel must have been extensively rebuilt, judging by an image of Efcharis now WWW unavailable. The vessel was sold, in 1972, for a price in excess of �400,000, to 'Cia Navegadora Tropica S.A.', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Patagonia. Was renamed Efcharis in 1974. And sold again, in 1983, to 'Intra Trophy Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Valetta, Malta, & renamed Intra Trophy. On May 15, 1983, the vessel arrived at the Alang, Gujarat, India, ship breaking facilities of 'N.C.K. & Sons Exports Private Ltd.' to be broken up. The WWW record for this vessel is modest. Do you have anything to add? Some good tonnage numbers ex Lloyd's Register?
371	Teakbank 6303 (or 8313 or 8374 or 8474) tons Hull 829 301381 5354224 Newton	1958	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Bank Line, Teakbank), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.6 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots. Built for Bank Line Ltd. The vessel's maiden voyage, in Dec. 1958, was to South Africa. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, 4 times between Mar. 1961 & Aug. 1970. Michael Smith served aboard the vessel as 6th Engineer during�the years from 1964 to 1968. In that period, he�travelled much of the world - as you can read�in his extensive message. Michael says he has never been successful in contacting his Teakbank shipmates - any messages received will be gladly passed on to him. In 1965, the vessel carried potash & sulphur to Fremantle, Western Australia, ex Nauru, Republic of Nauru, S. Pacific. The vessel was sold, in 1975, to 'Mid East Shipping Inc.', of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Newton. In 1976, the vessel was sold to 'East Seas Shipping Inc.', also of Monrovia, who sold it in 1979 to 'Sri Saibaba Ship Breaking Co.' of Calcutta, India, to be broken up. On Aug. 25, 1979, the break up commenced. Can you add anything?
372	Miss Chandris 9855 tons Hull 830 5237115 Genie	1959	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Chandris Lines but passenger vessels only listed), 2 (image & data, Genie), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). WWW data is most limited. The vessel was launched, on Mar. 13, 1959, by Miss Eugenia Chandris, daughter of Demetrius Chandris, 'partner of the shipping company's London agents'. Eugenia was just 20 months old, was said to be the youngest person ever to launch a ship at Sunderland. There are many websites about Chandris Lines, of Piraeus, Greece, but they all seem to focus on cruise & passenger ships, with zero data about their freighter operations. An eBay listing referred to Miss Chandris being a Chandris Lines vessel. A now dead site used to refer to its being built for 'Eumyrania Navegacion S.A.', with Chandris (England) Ltd., the managers. Miramar indicate that the vessel was initially owned by 'Pythagoras Nav. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, who in 1969 renamed the vessel Genie. The webmaster cannot clarify what Lloyd's Register indicated, absent availability of such register. In 1975, the vessel was sold or transferred to 'Third Chandris Shipping Corp.', of Monrovia, Liberia, with no change of vessel name. In 1981, the vessel was sold to 'Third Kambos Shipping Corp.', also of Monrovia, again with no name change. The vessel was laid up, in the Seychelles, from Nov. 22, 1981. On Dec. 08, 1982, the vessel suffered an explosion & fire in her engine room, when at Seychelles. On Jan. 26, 1985, or Feb. 01, 1985, the vessel arrived under tow at the Gadani Beach, Karachi, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of Jamal Enterprises, to be broken up. Need help! Can you add anything?
373	Plainsman 8732 tons Hull 835 301313 5279462 Evlalia	1959	A general cargo ship with heavy lift derricks. Per 1 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 149.0 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots. Equipped with two 70 ton heavy lift derricks. The image at the 1st thumbnail states 'built for Charente S.S. Co. Ltd. who operate regular services between U.K. ports and East Africa, the West Indies and South America'. An artwork by Harry Hudson Rodmell, which was published, I see, as a postcard. In 1979, the vessel was sold to 'Motivo Cia Naviera SA', of Panama, & renamed Evlalia. In 1981, the vessel was sold again, to 'Ierax Maritime Co. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, with no change of vessel name. On Jan. 15, 1985, the vessel arrived at the Aliaga ship breaking facilities of 'Nigdeliler AS' to be broken up. Aliaga is, I believe, 30 miles south of Izmir, Turkey. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Can anybody tell us more? I am advised that a book entitled 'Harrisons of Liverpool' by Graeme Cubbin would provide more data ('Thos. & Jas. Harrison' owned Charente Steamship Co. Ltd.).
374	Adventurer 8971 tons Hull 834 301316 5003576 Eleftheria	1960	A dry cargo ship equipped with a heavy lift derrick. Per 1 (Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Adventurer), 2 (posts re Adventurer), 3 & 4 (images, Adventurer), 5 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). A builder's model of the ship was sold in 2003 at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London. 149.4 metres long overall (490 ft. 3 in.), 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 or 16 knots, machinery aft & bridge well forward of the superstructure, especially built to handle heavier & bulkier cargoes. Built for Charente Steamship Co. Ltd. ('Charente') which operated regular services between U.K. ports & East Africa, the West Indies & South America. Adventurer was the first vessel to be fitted with a 'Stulcken' heavy lift derrick of 180 tons lifting capacity, then the heaviest in the world. A data snippet advises that the 'Stulken' equipment was manufactured in Germany & fitted to Adventurer at Hamburg, Germany, when she was being fitted out. Eric Parkin advised in 2006: 'It was amazing to see the whole ship heel over when she was Heavy Lifting with the Stulken and the Chief Officer orchestrating the men operating it.' On Apl. 26, 1963, the vessel suffered a fire when at Assab, Eritrea, a fire which broke out in chemicals stored in No. 5 hold - the fire took 30 hours to extinguish using CO2. In 1980, the vessel was sold to 'Prospel Maritime Ltd.', of Piraeus, Greece, 'European Navigation Inc.' the managers, & renamed *Eleftheria* (translates as 'freedom'). In 1985, the vessel was sold to 'Eleftheria Navigation Co. Ltd.', of Malta, solely for the voyage to the ship breakers, it would appear. On Apl. 20, 1985, the vessel arrived at the Gadani Beach, Pakistan, ship breaking facilities of 'Haji Abdul Karim & Co.' to be broken up. Actual break up commenced on May 11, 1985. WWW available data re the vessel is really quite limited. Can anybody tell us more? I am advised that a book entitled 'Harrisons of Liverpool' by Graeme Cubbin may well provide more data ('Thos. & Jas. Harrison' owned Charente).
375	Devon City 10300 tons Hull 838 187267 5089336 Executive Venture Tong Beng Penta Y.	1960	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Reardon Smith, Devon City (3)], 2 (3 images, Devon City), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 155.4 metres long overall, 143.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots. Built for Reardon Smith Line Ltd., of Bideford (or perhaps of Cardiff), 'Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons' the owners/managers. The vessel was sold, in 1972, to 'Executive Trader Marine Ltd.', of Famagusta, Cyprus, & renamed Executive Venture. Note that Miramar rather refer to 'Executive Venture Marine Ltd.' In 1974, the vessel was sold, to 'Kie Hock Shipping (1971) (Private) Ltd.', of Singapore, & renamed *Tong Beng. In 1977, the vessel was sold to 'Keck Seng International Pte Ltd.', also of Singapore, with no change of vessel name. In 1978, the vessel was renamed Penta Y*. In 1960, the vessel was sold, without further change of vessel name, to 'Pentay Pte Ltd.', also of Singapore. On Apl. 25, 1986, (have also read Apl. 03, 1986), the vessel arrived at the Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ship breaking facilities of 'Han Tai Iron & Steel Co.', to be broken up. WWW data about this ship is quite limited. Can anybody tell us more?
376	Montcalm 6950 (or 4762 or 4999 or 5006) tons Hull 837 301143 5240186 Capo San Marco Siba Edolo	1960	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 & 2 (images, Montcalm), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 134.1 metres (440 ft. 1 in.) long overall, 128.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 1/2 knots. Built for Montship Lines Ltd., of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, (Buries Markes Ltd., the managers). Was operated, it would appear for 'Montship-Capo Lines', a joint venture of Buries Markes & 'Compagnia Gestioni Esercizio Navi Sicilia', ('Gestioni') of Palermo, Sicily, serving Canada & the Mediterranean. The vessel was sold, in 1971, or 'transferred to Italian subsidiary', to Gestioni, & renamed Capo San Marco. Miramar advise that in 1973, the vessel was converted to a livestock carrier, & became of 4762 gross tons. It looks as though that conversion was rather in 1971. The vessel was sold again, in 1979, to 'Soc. Italiana pA di Armamento e Gestion', without change of vessel name. The vessel was sold in 1983, to "SIBA" Soc Importazione Bestiame, Allevamento di Balzarini, Corvi & C., of Bari, Italy, & renamed Siba Edolo. On Aug. 08, 1988, arrived at the Chittagong, Bangladesh, ship breaking facilities of 'Mobarak Re-rolling Mills', to be broken up. WWW data is most limited. Can anybody tell us more?
377	Custodian 8850 (or 8847 or 8701) tons Hull 844 301366 5083136 Sea Pearl Mighty Pearl	1961	A general cargo ship. Per 1 (data & image, 70% down, Custodian), 2 (Doxford booklet page re Custodian), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.8 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 knots. Designed with low masts & superstructure to permit transit of the Manchester Ship Canal. Built for Charente Steamship Co. Ltd., of Liverpool (Harrison Line). In Apl. 1963, while en route to Durban, South Africa, the vessel suffered a fire in its cargo. The vessel anchored in Walvis Bay while it put out the fire. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Petralia Navigation Co.', Patmos Navigation Co. Ltd. the managers, of Limassol, Cyprus, & renamed Sea Pearl. And sold again, in 1982 (or maybe 1981), to 'Cactus Shipping Co. Ltd.', also of Limassol, & renamed Mighty Pearl. On Feb. 02, 1982, while en route from Montreal, Canada, to Kingston, Jamaica, with a mixed cargo that included woodpulp, asbestos, food & provisions, the vessel went aground SE of Inagua Island, Bahamas. At 20.59N/73.07W. Fairplay IX, a tug, attempted to pull her off. But the vessel was badly holed & was abandoned where she lay, a constructive total loss, though its cargo was recovered. Might you have anything to add?
378	Larchbank 8472 (or 6354 or 8380 or 8543) tons Hull 880 301455 5203592 New Lark	1961	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, *Larchbank* (2)], 2 (fine image, New Lark), 3 (Ted Mitchell in the Larchbank engine room, in a 1972 image, but you must be registered to see it), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.7 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 498 ft., speed of 14 knots, signal letter GHDN. Built for Bank Line Ltd., of Glasgow, & launched by Captain Henry J. Smith, former marine superintendent of the owners. From the data snippets available, the vessel would seem to have traded all over the world. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, 'twice between 5 Jan 1968 and 17 Dec 1971'. In 1978, the vessel was sold, for about $735,000, to 'Nan Gas Shipping (Pte.) Ltd.', of Singapore, & renamed New Lark. And in 1980, the vessel was sold again, to 'Nan Chiao Shipping (Pte.) Ltd.', also of Singapore, with no change of vessel name. On Nov. 14, 1983, the vessel arrived at Beihai, China, to be broken up. Not a lot of data is WWW available. Can anybody add anything?
379	Lindenbank 4854/8379 (N/G) or 3503/6234) (N/G) tons Hull 883 301460 5208853	1961	A cargo ship, which was launched on May 30, 1961. Per 1 [Bank Line, *Lindenbank* (2)], 2 (account of wreck, 55% down), 3 (Report of Official Inquiry into the vessel's 1975 loss), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Now, images used to be available of the evacuated Lindenbank crew aboard USS Bolster & of the vessel aground, both made available by the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors (NAFTS). But I cannot find them any more. 487 ft. 9 in. long (148.67 metres) overall, 451 ft. 1 in. long (137.49 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, signal letters GHDP, 4800 BHP oil engines by Wm. Doxford & Sons (Engineering) Ltd. of Sunderland. Built for Bank Line Limited, of Glasgow. The vessel was fitted (I believe not initially) with six deep tanks for the carriage of palm oil & coconut oil from the Pacific Islands & known thereafter as a 'copra boat'. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, twice, on Aug. 17, 1966 & Oct. 14, 1967. I read that the vessel was regularly engaged on the U.S. Gulf to Australia service outwards & the South Pacific service homewards. On Aug. 17, 1975, the vessel, carrying copra (the dried 'meat' or 'kernel' of the coconut) & vegetable oils, en route from Kimbe, Papua New Guinea, to Liverpool, ran aground, on Fanning Atoll (Tabuaeran), in the S. Pacific, about 1,000 miles S. of Hawaii. At 3.51N/159.21W. The vessel had a crew of 59 & was under the command of A. V. (Alistair Vass) McKay. No lives were lost. The vessel was taking on bulk copra at Fanning Island (taken onboard off shore from surf boats), but had to lay off the atoll at night since no other anchorage was possible. In the early hours of Aug. 17, 1975, the vessel was driven onto a coral reef by modest winds & unusually strong Equatorial Counter Currents. USS Bolster (ARS-38, a 'Diver class' rescue & salvage ship) & USS Brunswick (ARS-3, as Bolster, but 'Edenton class', a seagoing tug), were sent to her assistance but in the time it took for them to arrive from Pearl Harbour, Honolulu, Hawaii, the vessel was driven hard onto the reef. Strenuous attempts were made to tow her off, but all were unsuccessful. The vessel was 'pivoting' on a coral outcrop located 'just under the after deeptanks area'. To lessen the load, almost 18,000 tons of cargo were jettisoned, but to no avail. While the cargo was non-toxic, major pollution did result, with an effect similar to that of an oil spill. Fish, crustaceans, etc. died & vegetation excessively blossomed. The vessel, her back broken, was abandoned, a constructive total loss, a month later with a storm 'brewing'. And likely has since broken up in situ. The crew was evacuated, taken aboard USS Bolster & USS Brunswick & landed at Pearl Harbour. An Inquiry into the vessel's loss was held in London in Mar. 1977. The court found Captain A. V. McKay to be responsible for Lindenbank's loss by his not regularly checking the vessel's position & failing to properly instruct his crew members in such matters. S. C. (Stephen Clifford) Braund, then just 20 years old & acting 3rd mate, was on watch at the time. He was censured by the court 'for his lamentable failure to keep his navigational watch properly'. Can anybody add anything?
380	Tactician 8844 tons Hull 845 303169 5348419 Sea Luck Kero	1961	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Tactician (3)], 2 (data & image, Tactician, 80% down), 3 (Doxford booklet page, bottom right, re Tactician), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.8 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 488 ft. 2 in., speed of 16 knots. Fitted with a crane on her aft deckhouse. Built for 'Charente Steamship Co. Ltd.', of Liverpool, which company was a subsidiary of Thos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., the managing owners. I read that on Oct. 31, 1961, Hattie, a category 4 or 5 hurricane, hit Belize City, British Honduras (now Belize). Tactician was on hand & provided medicine, food & other assistance until relieved by rescue ships of the Royal & U.S. Navies. In Jul. 1968, the vessel 'suffered an engine room fire which disabled the ship'. While I have not been able to read the circumstances & detail, the silver medal of the Royal Society of Arts was awarded to F. Metham, Captain of Rapallo, for his skill & seamanship in towing & berthing the disabled Tactician at Ponta Delgarda, S�o Miguel island, Azores. Early on Aug. 06, 1972, Graeme Cubbin in command, the ship suffered an engine room explosion when off SW Africa. Two engineers [Brian Challenor (chief), & Michael Ford (3rd)], were severely burned & in shock & help was requested. Dr. Vaycheslav Starkov, of Rikhard Zorge, a Russian tanker, tried to save the men but both died & were buried at sea. The disabled vessel put into (maybe was towed into?) Walvis Bay, Namibia, for repairs. Another Tactician chief engineer (Tait) died in an accident, at Beira, in 1975. Also in 1975, the vessel ran aground at Nacala, Mozambique. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Petralia Navigation Co. Ltd.', of Limassol, Cyprus, Patmos Navigation Co. the managers, & renamed Sea Luck. And sold again, in 1980, to 'Naviera Neptuno S.A.', of Callao, Peru, & renamed Kero. On May 15, 1987, the vessel arrived at the Pisco, Peru, ship breaking facilities of 'General San Martin', to be broken up. Do you have anything to add?
381	Testbank 8515 tons (or 8426 or 8592, or 6313) Hull 889 301463 5356521 Bessie Georgia F. Emi	1961	A dry cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Testbank (2)], 2 (image, Testbank), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.5 metres long (487 ft.) overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 or 14 1/2 knots. Built for Bank Line Limited, of Glasgow & London. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Feb. 14, 1966. The vessel was sold, in 1978, to 'Convington Shipping Co. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Bessie. In 1980, the vessel was sold again, to 'Sea Freight (SF) Ltd.', also of Piraeus, 'Lychnis Maritime Inc.' likely the managers, & renamed Georgia F. In 1987, 'Fairplay' reported (in a Google snippet) that the vessel was reportedly sold to Indian ship breakers for a price in the region of $126.0 per ldt. But that actually happened only a bit later after, in 1987, the vessel was sold to 'Toledo Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Valetta, Malta, & renamed Emi. On Jun. 12, 1987, Emi arrived at the Alang, Gujarat, India, ship breaking facilities of 'Vikas Shipping Corporation', to be broken up. There is really very little data WWW available about this recent ship. Anything you can add?
382	Forresbank 8582 (or 6310 or 6357) tons Hull 851 304132 5117846 Veesky Admiral	1962	A dry cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Forresbank (2)], Forresbank), 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.6 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 knots. Built for Bank Line Limited, of Glasgow. A 'copra' boat. See Lindenbank re some words about the meaning of the term. Martin Moore has been in touch (thanks!) to advise that he served as 3rd Mate aboard the vessel from Jan. to Jul. 1976, joining the vessel at Shields & leaving at Singapore. The vessel was sold, in 1978, to 'Hertford Nav. Co.' ('Hertford'), of Cyprus, & renamed Veesky. In 1981, Hertford renamed the vessel Admiral. On Jun. 01, 1983, the vessel arrived at the Alang, Gujarat, India, ship breaking facilities of Shirchi Steel, to be broken up. Anything you can add?
383	Apsleyhall 7466 (or 10200 or 10299) tons Hull 849 301544 5400865 Wenduyne Angelina	1963	A cargo ship, possibly a refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 [West Hartlepool, Apsleyhall (4)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 162.16 metres long overall, 149.8 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 532 ft. 1 in. & 490 ft., speed of 17 knots. Built for 'West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.', of West Hartlepool. In 1963, the vessel was chartered by Pacific Star Line, an Israeli shipping line. The vessel was sold, in 1969, to 'Wenduyne Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Gibraltar, & renamed Wenduyne. But still registered at West Hartlepool. It was sold again, in 1973, to 'Marvel Shipping Co. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed Angelina. On Jun. 04, 1981, while en route, fully loaded, from Durban, South Africa, to South American ports, the ship sprang a leak in her cargo holds when about 240 miles off Mar Del Plata, Argentina. The vessel anchored about 48 miles off Montevideo, Uruguay, & there, on Jun. 05, 1981, she suffered a fire in her accommodation areas. The fire must have been most severe, because the crew of 26 soon abandoned the ship, which sank on Jun. 07, 1981 at 35.12.15S/ 55.16.42W. The WWW record for this ship is most limited. Anything you can add?
384	Houston City 10089 (or 10335) tons Hull 854 187276 5405255 Maria Elisa Alpac Africa	1963	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Reardon Smith Line), 2 (image, Houston City), 3 & 4 (Maria Elisa), 5 (image, Houston City), 6 (image, Maria Elisa), 7 (image, Alpac Africa), 8 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 152.3 metres long overall, (499.5 ft.), 142.6 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 1/2 knots. Built for Leeds Shipping Co. Ltd., of Bideford, with 'Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons' of Cardiff, the managers, collectively 'Smiths'. On her maiden voyage, the vessel had 2 passengers, Mr. & Mrs. Kemp. Now Mr. Kemp was the chief accountant for 'Smiths' & the voyage was his retirement gift. I do hope the maiden voyage was to somewhere exotic! The vessel was sold, in 1972, to 'Transportacion Maritima Mexicana S.A.' of Mexico, with Smiths staying as manager, (however Miramar refer to 'Wm Brandts (Fourth Leasing) Ltd., of Bideford), & renamed Maria Elisa. In 1977, the vessel was sold to 'Venus Ltd.', also of Bideford, with no change of vessel name. Were those last two owners really financing arrangements, perhaps? The vessel was sold again, in 1980, to 'Hi Star Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Hong Kong, John McRink & Co. Ltd. the managers, & renamed Alpac Africa. Hong Kong registered. The vessel was sold to Chinese ship breakers & on Jul. 01, 1984, it arrived at Shanghai, China, to be broken up. Anything you can add?
385	Laurelbank 6308 & 8566 (or 6167 or 8432) tons Hull 857 304166 5416383 Vali Pero	1963	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Laurelbank (2)], 2 (brief ref. 65% down), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.4 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters GKKA. Designed to carry vegetable oil hence two Lloyd's register gross tonnages. Built for Bank line Ltd., with Andrew Weir & Co. of Glasgow the managers. The vessel travelled much of the world - in time sequence to Cochin, Cape Town, Bunbury, Rio, Auckland, Chittagong, Apia, Nagoya, Mombasa, Keelung, London, Barbados, Osaka & Manila. Dates are here. In Dec. 1978, the vessel was sold to 'Brethelmans Shipping Co.', (Lendoudis?), of Athens, Greece, & renamed Vali Pero. As Vali Pero, it arrived at Hamburg, Germany, on Dec. 18, 1978, & then visited, in sequence, Piraeus, Lisbon, Gothenburg, Luanda. Dates are here. On Apl. 20, 1985, the vessel was laid up at Calcutta, India, & in 1990, the vessel was broken up there. Much of the above data is presented courtesy of Peter Hadfield, whom we thank. Very little WWW data is available for a most recent ship. But we are doing well with images! Can you provide more info?
386	Pearl Merchant 10868 (or 10687 or 10926) tons Hull 858 5417117 Grace Five	1963	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.4 metres long overall, 152.4 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, signal letters 5MQD. Built for 'Monrovia Tramp Shipping Co.' (Livanos Group). Registered at Monrovia, Liberia. In 1972, the vessel was registered at Chios, Greece. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to Glory Marine Shipping Corp., of Panama, & renamed Grace Five. In Oct. 1982, the vessel arrived at Gadani Beach, Pakistan, to be broken up. WWW data re the vessel is most limited. Can you provide more info?
387	Rowanbank 6308 & 8567 (or 6169) tons Hull 856 304159 5417442 Lendoudis Kiki	1963	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Rowanbank (3)], 2 (image, Rowanbank), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.5 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 450 ft., speed of 14 1/2 or up to 16 knots, signal letters HPCV & GKJU. Designed to carry vegetable oil hence two Lloyd's register gross tonnages. Built for Bank Line Limited, Andrew Weir & Co. Ltd., of Glasgow, the managers, & launched during a snow storm. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand, 3 times between Apl. 27, 1965 & Mar. 09, 1968. In 1979, the vessel was sold to 'Ladyflora (or maybe Lady Flora) Shipping & Commercial Co. SA', of Piraeus, Greece, likely owned by 'Lendoudis', a Greek ship owner, & renamed Lendoudis Kiki. Registered at Piraeus. The vessel became Panama City, Panama, registered in 1983. Her last voyage was from Santos, Brazil, to Colombo, Sri Lanka. She then left for Huangpu, an outer port of Guangzhou, China, to be broken up, & arrived there on Dec. 13, 1984. There is not a lot of WWW data is available for this most recent ship. Can you provide more info?
388	Yannis 6923/11194 (N/G) tons Hull 843 5425944	1963	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 539 ft. 5 in. long (164.41 metres) overall, 500.0 ft. long (152.40 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 knots, signal letters SYTD, 10,000 BHP oil engines by Wm. Doxford & Sons (Engineering) Co. Ltd. of Sunderland. Built for 'Humanitas Compania Naviera S.A.', of Syros, Greece. In Dec. 1984, the vessel was broken up in China. Data is most limited. Can you provide more info?
389	Hollybank 6310 & 8559 tons Hull 862 304174 6405549 Nikitas F. Nonas	1964	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Hollybank (2)], 2 (Vietnam), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 148.5 metres long overall, 137.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters GMHV. The vessel was designed to carry vegetable oil, hence two Lloyd's Register gross tonnages. Built for 'Bank Line Limited', of London, Andrew Weir & Co. Ltd. the managers. On her 2nd voyage, from Hull to Australia & New Zealand, the vessel made it only as far as Amsterdam or Rotterdam & when it left port there it broke down & limped back to Hull for repair. Visited Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 23, 1975. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Atticksky Cia. Maritime S.A.', of Panama, (of Greek ownership), & renamed Nikitas F. The vessel was detained for 8 days in Vietnam in 1979 because stowaway refugees seeking to escape were found in the ship's engine room. The Chief Engineer was forced to confess to people smuggling and the ships' Greek owners were also fined. At Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The ship's master at the time was Samothrakitis Komniwos. In 1987, the vessel was sold to 'Newport Marine Ltd.' of Valetta, Malta, & renamed Nonas. On Mar. 02, 1990, the vessel arrived at the Alang, Gujarat, India, ship breaking facilities of 'R. I. Kalathia & Co.', to be broken up. Data is most limited. Can you provide more info?
390	Katherine 10864 (or 11198) tons Hull 861 6410037 Nephele Anthia Anthi	1964	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.4 metres long overall, 152.4 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 knots, signal letters 5MYB. Built for 'Neptune Maritime Co.', of Monrovia, Liberia. Registered at Monrovia. The vessel was renamed Nephele in 1973. In 1975, the vessel was sold to 'Tempest Nav. Co. Ltd.', of Limassol, Cyprus, & renamed Anthia. In 1981, the vessel was further sold to 'Sea Sceptre Navigation Enterprise Corp.', of Piraeus, Greece, without change of the vessel's name. In 1985, the vessel was sold to 'San Pedro Cia. Naviera SA', of San Lorenzo, Honduras, & renamed Anthi. On May 29, 1985, the vessel arrived at the Alang, Gujarat, India, ship breaking facilities of 'Ispat Traders' to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. Can you provide more info?
391	Pearl Island 10866 (or 11199) tons Hull 864 6416275 Golden Singapore Abha Zahabia	1964	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). Data is most limited. 164.4 metres long overall, 152.4 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 knots, signal letters 5MZV. Built for 'Monrovia Tramp Shipping Co.' (Livanos Group). The vessel was initially registered at Monrovia, but in 1976 it was re-registered at Chios, Greece. The vessel was sold, in 1982, to 'Yenbo Shipping Inc.', of Panama, & renamed Golden Singapore. It was sold again, also in 1982, to 'Saudi Harvest Marine Co. Ltd.', of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, & renamed Abha Zahabia. On Oct. 23, 1984, the vessel arrived at the Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ship breaking facilities of 'Han Tai Iron & Steel Co.' to be broken up. Can you provide more info?
392	Tweedbank 10251 (or 7539 or 10141) tons Hull 860 304171 6401268 Good Lion	1964	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bank Line, Tweedbank (2)], 2, 3, 4, & 5 (images, Tweedbank), 6 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 155.0 metres long overall, 144.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters GMHY. Certainly 10251 tons in 1966/67. Built for Bank Line Limited, Andrew Weir & Co. Ltd., of Glasgow, the managers. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Good Lion Inc.', of Greece, & renamed Good Lion. On Dec. 19, 1983, the vessel was wrecked, 4 miles N. of Corcubi�n, in NW Spain, while en route from Iran to Bremen, Germany, in ballast. Only limited WWW data is available. Can you add anything?
393	Baltic Venture 1581 (later 1844) tons Hull 866 306224 6501836 Melville Venture Gulf Venture Progress Liberty	1965	A cargo ship. Per 1 ('United Baltic', Baltic Venture), 2 ('United Baltic' history), 3 (data in Danish, Baltic Venture, 75% down), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 85.3 metres long overall, 78.5 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, hull strengthened for ice conditions, signal letters GNHW. Would seem to have been of an advanced design but I cannot explain exactly why. Built for United Baltic Corporation Ltd., of London. In May 1970, the vessel was lengthened (at which yard?) to increase her cargo capacity by about 400 tons - became 97.9/91.1 metres long with a gross tonnage of 1844. The vessel was renamed Melville Venture. Then sold in 1980, to 'Gulf Maritime Co. Ltd.', of Limassol, Cyprus, & renamed Gulf Venture. A 'Google' Books 'snippet', of an unknown date, refers to Gulf Venture being under arrest & for sale by the Admiralty Marshal at Sharpness. Can anybody explain the reference? In 1985, the vessel was sold to 'Progress Shipping Co. Ltd.', of the Republic of Maldives, 'Maldives National Ship Management Pvt. Ltd.' the managers, & renamed Progress Liberty. On Jul. 13, 1998, the vessel would seem to have run aground in the Maldives. I have not read the circumstances. On Oct. 31, 1998, the vessel arrived at Valinokkam, near Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India, to be broken up. Limited WWW data is available. Can you add anything?
394	Beechbank 7627 & 10221 (or 10116) tons Hull 868 304196 6505856 Schinias	1965	A cargo liner. Per 1 [Bank Line, Beechbank (2)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). As this entry is revised, in Jan. 2015, there are many images of Beechbank eBay available. But forgive me, can I ask you to find them for yourself. Many of the images have truly excessive logos across them & I prefer not to reward the vendor by linking directly to them. 155.0 metres long overall, 144.2 metres perpendicular to perpendicular (472 ft. 3 3/4 in.), speed of 15 knots, crew of 59, equipped with Doxford P-type engines, signal letters GNKU. I find reporting the gross tonnage of this vessel to be most difficult. Miramar states 10116 as do many sites, but there are references to 7355, 9920 & 10221 tons. Lloyd's Register of 1966/67 records two gross tonnages as at left. While the 1973/74 Lloyd's Register records 7355 & 10116 gross tons. The 'Motor Ship' documentation (at left) indicates 10220 tons (closed) & 7627 tons (open). Can anybody help with my confusion? Built for Bank Line Limited, of London, Andrew Weir & Co. Ltd., the managers. Martin Moore has been in touch (thanks!) to advise that he served as 3rd officer aboard the vessel from Mar. to Oct. 1977, joining the vessel at Barry, Wales,�& leaving at Durban, South Africa. The interesting voyage details are here. 'Basically we loaded general cargo around Europe for the Middle East, then went over to Queensland in ballast, loaded sugar in bulk for China, then general cargo in Japan for South Africa (hush hush in those days) then home by air for leave.' The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Efbridge Shipping Co. SA', of Panama, renamed Schinias, & Greek registered. On Feb. 18, 1986, the vessel arrived at Dalian, Liaoning Province, NE China, to be broken up. Limited WWW data is available. Can you add anything?
395	Ernebank 7355 & 10116 (or 10222) tons Hull 871 307629 6512081 Family Unity Bengal Star	1965	A cargo liner. Per 1 [Bank Line, Ernebank (2)], 2 & 3 (data & image, Ernebank), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 155.0 metres long overall, 144.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 knots, signal letters GFDK. The gross tonnage of this vessel is confusing. Miramar states 10116 as do many sites, but there are many references to 7355 tons only. Lloyd's Register of 1973/74 records 7355 & 10116 as at left. Can anybody explain? Built for Bank Line Limited, of London, Andrew Weir & Co. Ltd., the managers. In 1968, Archibald M. (Mitchell) Williamson, the Captain of Ernebank, was awarded an MBE. The vessel was sold, in 1979, to 'Family Unity Shipping Co. S.A.', of Greece, & renamed Family Unity. It was sold again, in 1982, to 'Bengal Liner Ltd.', of Bangladesh, & renamed Bengal Star. On Jan. 07, 1988, the vessel arrived at Chittagong, Bangladesh, to be broken up. Only limited WWW data is available about this vessel. Can you add anything?
396	Worcestershire 10040 (or 9931) tons Hull 869 308653 6519596 Bordagain Katrinamar	1965	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bibby Line, Worcestershire (3)], 2 (image, Bordagain), 3 (image, Katrinamar), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 154.6 metres (508 ft.) long overall, 143.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 17 or 17 1/2 knots, signal letters GQSA. I find reporting the gross tonnage of this vessel to be most difficult. Miramar states 9931, but there are references to other tonnages, specifically to 7412, 9698, 9798, & 10040 tons (that last # as per Lloyd's Register of 1966/67). Built for Bibby Line Limited, of London, & engaged on general charter work. In 1973, the vessel was transferred to Bibby Bulk Carriers Ltd. The vessel was sold in 1976, for $4,600,000, to 'Bordagain Shipping Co. Ltd.', of Monrovia, Liberia, Sir Ramon de la Sota Jr. (Larringa Group) the manager, & renamed Bordagain. The vessel was sold again, in 1982, to 'Pelagos Maritime S.A.' ('Pelagos'), with Intermarine Ltd., the managers, both of Panama, & renamed Katrinamar. Note that I have also read that Pelagos were rather of Piraeus, Greece. In 1985, the vessel was sold to ship breakers, for a price 'in the region of US $117 per ldt', & on or prior to Aug. 01, 1985, the vessel arrived at ship breaking facilities at Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India, to be broken up. Only limited data is WWW available about this vessel. Can you add anything?
397	Derbyshire 7412 & 9931 (or 9806, or 10040) tons Hull 870 308660 6523509 Captain Lygnos Chrysovalandou	1966	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bibby Line, Derbyshire (3)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 154.6 metres long overall, 143.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, 507 ft. 2 in., speed of 16 or 17 knots, signal letters GQRH. The vessel had two gross tonnages - per Lloyd's Register of 1973/74 of 7412 & 9931 tons. Sister to Worcestershire. Built for Bibby Line Limited, of London with Bibby Bros. & Co. the managers. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand once only, on Feb. 26, 1967. In 1970, the vessel was chartered to 'Messageries Maritimes', but it was probably charted frequently earlier. In 1973, the vessel was transferred to Bibby Bulk Carriers Ltd. While I have read no detail, it would seem that in 1975, the vessel was in collision with Rarau, a factory trawler, off Gibraltar. Can you advise us exactly what happened? The vessel was sold in 1976, for $4,600,000, to 'Naviera de Transportes Chrysovalandrou S.A.', of Panama, 'Lamda Servios Generales S.A.', of Piraeus, Greece, the managers, & renamed Captain Lygnos. In 1981, the vessel was renamed Chrysovalandou. On Nov. 24, 1982, while en route from Piraeus to Poland, in ballast, the vessel suffered a major fire in its engine room. At 36.54N/00.10W, about 50 miles off Cabo de Palos, Spain. The crew fought the fire for two days, with the assistance of a Russian container vessel, (its name?), it would appear. Then, on Nov. 26, 1982, they anchored her off nearby Cartagena, Spain, (she was towed?), & abandoned her to permit her to burn herself out. The vessel ended up entirely gutted, indeed a total constructive loss. On Dec. 06, 1982, the vessel was towed to the Cartagena ship breaking facilities of 'Don Franciscu Jimenez', to be broken up. Miramar advise that the vessel was broken up in Feb. 1983. The vessel's reported tonnages are a puzzle! Only limited data is WWW available about this vessel. Can you add anything? Another image? Images of Derbyshire do seem to be available via here, at page bottom, but you must register to see them (I did not so register).

DOXFORD AND SUNDERLAND SHIPBUILDING AND ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED (1961/1966)
DOXFORD & SUNDERLAND LIMITED (/1973)

(OF PALLION, NORTH SANDS & DEPTFORD, SUNDERLAND)

This company, was, it would seem, the result of the merger in 1966 of Doxfords with the subsidiaries of 'Sunderland Shipbuilding Dry Docks & Engineering Company Ltd.' i.e. a) Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd., b) Joseph L. Thompson & Sons, Ltd. & c) now additionally Doxfords, with also d) 'Sunderland Forge'.

It would seem that the name of the company was later changed to 'Doxford & Sunderland Limited' being taken over by Court Line in 1973 with the company being renamed, (on Mar. 5, 1973), 'Sunderland Shipbuilders Limited'.

I presume that some of the vessels above (and on other pages also) should be moved under this shipbuilder name. I hope to accomplish that once my facts are confirmed as to their accuracy.

Miramar lists (highest hull number on page). It used to be that you could click on the links that follow & get to the relevant Miramar page. But no longer! The new procedure must be to go to Miramar (here) & log in (you must be registered to view any page). And once you are logged in, return to this page & all the following links should work for you:- 881, 899 (24).

a) Vessels built by Doxford and Sunderland Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd. at the Pallion Yard that used to be owned by 'William Doxford & Sons Limited.'

1	Warwickshire 10682 tons Hull 879 334224 6717784 Arya Bod Warwickshire Furama Sea Dragon Dragon Hill	1967	A cargo ship. Per 1 [Bibby Line, Warwickshire (3)], 2 (image, Furama), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). A Bibby Line History, a 'pdf', used to be available via the Indian website of 'Bibby Financial Services'. Here. No longer it would seem & the webmaster seems not to have retained a copy of it. 161.1 metres long (528.45 ft.) overall, 149.4 metres (490 ft.) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 16 (or 17) knots, signal letters GWDE. Built for Bibby Line Ltd. (Bibby Line), of Liverpool. The last of three fleet vessels of the name - which name was 'pensioned off', apparently because it was difficult for many parts of the world to pronounce. In 1973, the vessel was chartered to 'Iranian Arya Shipping Lines SA', of Iran, &, for the duration of the charter, was renamed Arya Bod. The vessel's name reverted to Warwickshire in 1974, when the charter ended. In 1980, when the vessel was owned by Bibby Freighters Ltd., with Bibby Brothers & Co., the managers, the vessel was sold, 'for a price in the region of $3.6 mill', to Furama Maritime S.A., of Panama, & was renamed Furama. In 1984, the vessel was sold to Dragon Hill Maritime S.A., of Panama, & renamed Sea Dragon. Later that same year, the vessel was renamed Dragon Hill. On or about Jul. 15, 1985, the vessel arrived at ship breakers in mainland China to be broken up. All said and done, very little data is WWW available re a most recent ship. Can you help any?
2	Historian 8454 tons Hull 885 334255 6817687 Cherry Orient	1968	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 (data & image), 2 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Historian (5)], 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 150.6 metres long overall, (494 ft. 0 in.), 140.0 metres long perpendicular to perpendicular, 460 ft. 0 in., speed of 18 knots. Fitted with a 150-ton 'St�lcken' derrick. Built for Charente Steam-Ship Company Ltd., manager Thos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., known as 'Harrison Line'. Acquired & designed specifically for the Africa trade. The vessel was sold, in 1981, to 'Bunga Shipping Co. Pte. Ltd.', of Singapore, & renamed Cherry Orient. The vessel arrived at Chittagong, Bangladesh, on May 22, 1985, to be broken up. Very little data is WWW available re a most recent ship. Can you help any?
3	Magician 8454 tons Hull 884 334250 6812326 Cherry Chrystal	1968	A refrigerated cargo ship. Per 1 [Thos. & Jas. Harrison, Magician (3)], 2 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 150.6 metres long overall, (494 ft. 0 in.), 140.0 metres long between perpendiculars, 460 ft. 0 in., speed of 18 knots. Fitted with a 150-ton St�lcken derrick. Built for Charente Steam-Ship Company Ltd., manager Thos. & Jas. Harrison Ltd., known as 'Harrison Line'. Acquired & designed specifically for the Africa trade. The vessel was sold in late 1980, or maybe in early 1981, to 'Bunga Shipping Co. Pte. Ltd.', of Singapore, & renamed Cherry Crystal. The vessel visited Bhavnagar, Kaohsiung & Dubai. Dates are here. On Jun. 19, 1985, the vessel arrived at Alang, Gujarat, India, to be broken up. Much of the above data is presented thanks to Peter Hadfield, whom we thank. WWW data is limited. Can you add more!
4	Iason 11489 tons Hull 891 6926701 Xin Ji	1970	A cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.5 metres long overall, 152.4 metres long between perpendiculars, speed of 17 knots. Harold Appleyard advises (thanks Harold!) that the vessel was identical to both Finix & Feax. Built for 'Cargaisones Oceanicas S.A.', of Piraeus, Greece, with Lyras Bros. Ltd., of London, the managers. The vessel was sold in 1984, to 'Xinji Shipping & Enterprises Ltd.', of Liberia, & renamed Xin Ji. The vessel may have later become China registered. I read that the vessel was broken up in 1998. Where I wonder? WWW data re this vessel is virtually non-existent. Can you add more!
5	Ion 11506 (or 10618) tons Hull 896 7109350 Gang Cheng launched as Isokvatis	1971	A cargo ship. Per 1 & 2 (images, Ion), 3 (image, Gang Chang, means Gang Cheng I believe), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 164.45 metres long overall, 152.4 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 17 1/2 knots. Was launched as Isokvatis. But delivered as Ion to 'Pacifica Navegacion S.A.', of Piraeus, Greece, with Lyras Bros. Ltd., of London, the managers. Commencing on Jul. 27, 1982, the vessel was laid up at King George V Dock, in London. The vessel stayed there for about 2 1/2 years. Was renamed Gang Cheng on Feb. 22, 1985 when the vessel was sold to 'Manda Shipping' ('Manda'), of Liberia. It seems likely that the owners of Manda were Chinese. The vessel would seem to have become, in 1986, owned directly by owners based in the People's Republic of China, likely 'Beijing SG Shipping Corp. Ltd.' (somehow COSCO related?) who later sold the vessel to Chinese ship breakers. I read that the vessel was broken up, in China, in Sep. 2000. While there are images WWW available for this vessel (thanks!), data about her is virtually non-existent. Can you add more!
6	Herefordshire 11453 (or 7463) tons Hull 898 357435 7205881 Texas Brooklyn	1972	A general cargo ship. Per 1 [Bibby Line, Herefordshire (3)], 2 & 3 (image, Herefordshire), 4 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 161.5 metres long overall, 152.5 metres long between perpendiculars, 529 ft. 8 in., speed of 16 or 16 1/2 knots. Built for Bibby Bulk Carriers Ltd., of Liverpool. Lancashire was her sister ship. 'Bibby' is noted for having, since 1888, named its ships after English counties. Can anybody explain the 'Svedel Line' on the side of the ship in an image at left. Was the vessel chartered to such line, perhaps? 'Svedel Line' seems to mean 'Groupament d'Interet Economique Svedel', trading as 'Svedel Line', created in 1951, owned jointly by 'Soci�t� Navale Chargeurs Delmas Vieljeux' ('Delmas'), of La Rochelle & Dunkirk, France. Delmas & the 'Swedish East Africa Line' (Svedel is a contraction of 'Svenska Ostafrika Linjen' & 'Delmas'). I presume that the vessel was operated by Svedel, which linked East Africa to Scandinavian, Baltic & N. French ports, via the Suez canal. The vessel was sold in 1982, to 'Brittany Shipping Corp.', of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Texas. The vessel was sold again, in 1985, to 'Atlas Business Co. SA', of Panama, & renamed Brooklyn. I read that on Mar. 05, 1886, the vessel suffered an engine room fire, while en route from Kandla, Gujarat, India, to Roumania. At 19.36N/62.31E, in the Arabian Sea, about 220 miles off the coast of Oman. The vessel was taken in tow, (by whom I wonder), & arrived at Karachi, Pakistan, on Mar. 13, 1986. The damage must have been extensive because the vessel was soon declared a constructive total loss. And on Oct. 06, 1986, it arrived at nearby Gadani Beach, Pakistan, to be broken up. I wonder why such different gross tonnages are reported (7463 & 11453)? WWW data re this vessel is modest. Can you add more!
7	Lancashire 11453 (or 7463) tons Hull 899 357449 7218682 Virginia Antibes Amer Asha	1972	A general cargo ship. Per 1 [Bibby Line, Lancashire (4)], 2 (image, Lancashire), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 161.5 metres long overall, 152.5 metres long between perpendiculars, 529 ft. 8 in., speed of 16 1/2 knots, signal letters GOUY. Built for Bibby Bulk Carriers Ltd., of Liverpool, Bibby Brothers & Co., the managers. Herefordshire was her sister ship. 'Bibby' is noted for having, since 1888, named its ships after English counties. It would seem that the vessel was deployed on longer time charters. The vessel was sold in 1982, to 'Agincourt Shipping Co.', of Monrovia, Liberia, & renamed Virginia. The vessel was sold again, in 1985, to 'Mediterranean Ocean Navigation Co. SA', of Panama, & renamed Antibes. In 1986, the vessel was sold again, to 'Tor Point Enterprises Inc.', of Panama, 'Amer Shipping Corp.' the managers, & renamed Amer Asha. On Apl. 01, 1998, the vessel arrived at Alang, India, to be broken up. I wonder why such different gross tonnages are reported (7463 & 11453)? WWW data re this vessel is modest. Can you add more!

b) Vessels built by Doxford and Sunderland Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Ltd. at the Deptford Yard that used to be owned by 'Sir James Laing and Sons Limited.'

1	Roslagen 29018 tons Hull 841 6714782 Lucy Lucy L.	1967	A bulk carrier. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 218.5 metres (716 ft. 7 in.) long overall, 207.3 metres perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots. Built for 'Rederi A/B Roslagen', of Stockholm, Sweden, (Nordstr�m & Thulin А/В the managers). The vessel was sold in 1973 by 'Partrederiet Roslagen' to 'Mercury Bulk Carriers Inc.' ('Mercury'), of Liberia & renamed Lucy. In 1981, the vessel was renamed Lucy L., & registered at Panama. The vessel arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Oct. 17, 1984 to be broken up. WWW data about the vessel is most limited. As this listing is updated, there are 2 images of the vessel available via eBay. The listing images, however, bear large watermarks & I prefer not to reward the vendor by providing links. Need data!
2	Orotava 28880 tons Hull 842 334768 6805646 Orotava Bridge Orotava Ripon Grange Leda Unity Latini	1968	A bulk carrier. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 716 ft. 4 in. long (218.34 metres) overall, 680 ft. 2 in. long (207.31 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 1/2 knots, signal letters GYCA, with a hull especially strengthened for the carriage of heavy cargoes. Built for Ore Carriers Ltd., with Houlder Bros. & Co. Ltd., of London, the managers.�The vessel was renamed Orotava Bridge in 1969. Have read references to the vessel being part of the Seabridge Consortium when so named. What was her area of service, I wonder? Maybe carried iron ore for British Steel Corporation. The vessel rapidly became uneconomic to operate. In 1974, the vessel reverted to its original name of Orotava. In 1979 the vessel was sold to Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd. ('Furness') or maybe to Alexander Shipping Co. Ltd. & became Ripon Grange. It would seem, however, that it was Furness that later sold the vessel for about $8.9 million - in 1980 to Leda Segundo Compania Naviera S.A. of Piraeus, Greece, (or of Panama) & renamed Leda. Unity Enterprises Co. Ltd. of Valletta, Malta, became the vessel's owners in 1982 & renamed her Unity. The vessel was sold again, in 1984, to 'Romneya Shipping Corp.' of Piraeus, & renamed Latini. The vessel was broken up Huangpu, China, in Apl. 1986. Can you add to the above or correct the text?
3	Sheaf Crest 9392 (or 9266) tons Hull 843 305456 6813045 Father Panos Panos	1968	A dry cargo ship. Per 1 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 462 ft. 2 in. long (140.87 metres) overall, 445 ft. 0 in. long (135.64 metres) perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 14 knots, signal letter GYKH, with a hull especially strengthened for the carriage of heavy cargoes. Owned by Sheaf Steam Shipping Co. Ltd., of Newcastle, with W. A. Souter & Co. Ltd. the managers, thru 1974. In 1974, the vessel was sold to Equality Shipping Co. SA ('Equality'), of Piraeus, Greece, & renamed *Father Panos. It would seem that Equality was rather from Monrovia, Liberia, for a while. I have seen references to Navarino Shipping, of Piraeus, being the vessel's owner when named Father Panos. In 1985 the vessel was sold to Thalkat Nav S.A., of Honduras, & renamed Panos*. The first 'Liberty replacement' from the yard. The vessel was broken up in China, in 1986, maybe by 'China National Metals & Minerals Imp.', of Shanghai. Need help!
4	Laurelwood 15100 tons Hull 844 338866 6918388 Saucon Seapride Leonis Tuscania Monte Rotondo Rotondo	1969	A tanker. Which had many names. Per 1 (Saucon images & data), 2 (image, Monte Rotondo), 3 (Miramar, link, you now must be registered to access). 557 ft. 0 in. long (169.774 metres) including bulbous bow, 530 ft. 0 in. (161.544 metres) long perpendicular to perpendicular, speed of 15 1/2 knots, signal letters GZNC, with 12,000 BHP 2SA oil engines by Doxford & Sunderland Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., of Sunderland. Built for 'John I. Jacobs & Co. Ltd.', of London. The vessel visited Auckland, New Zealand once only, as Laurelwood in 1974. It was sold, in 1975, to 'Mobil Shipping & Transportation Co.', & renamed *Saucon. Monrovia flagged. And sold in 1983, to 'Waterproud Navigation', 'Thenamaris Ship Management' the managers, & renamed Seapride, ? registered. The vessel was sold again, in 1986, to 'Societ� Italiana Marittima', of Rome, Italy, & renamed Leonis. And sold again in 1992 to 'Franconia S.r.l.', also of Italy, Nafi Gestione the managers?, & renamed Tuscania. We are not through all of the sales. The vessel was sold in 1995 to 'Marittima Fluviale di Navigazione S.p.A.', of Savona, Italy, & renamed Monte Rotondo. And was sold for the last time, in 1999, to 'Victory Trading Co. Ltd.', of Belize, & renamed Rotondo. The vessel arrived at Alang, Gujarat, India, on Nov. 11, 1999, to be broken up, at, per Miramar, 'Priya Steel Unit II'. Not a lot of data WWW is available. Can you help with more? Jim Moore has kindly been in touch to advise that he sailed on Laurelwood* from Sunderland following guarantee dry dock in the early 70s. It was his first trip to sea, a trip which lasted 13 1/2 months before paying off in Singapore. Jim also sailed on the vessel later on under it�s new name (Saucon) following its transfer of ownership to Mobil Oil. Jim adds 'that the vessel's engine was a Doxford "J" type opposed piston engine, a fairly complex arrangement having two pistons per cylinder compared to one piston/cylinder of today's engines, i.e. B&W, Sulzer etc. For me it was a beautiful/entertaining engine, in that you could see the top pistons in motion &, if you were brave, place your hand on a piston as it operated at 120 rpm. Another feature of the opposed piston design was a reduced vibration level due to a better balanced crankshaft (my impression).'

This page is the 4th of 5 Doxford pages, the first being here. The 2nd, 3rd & 5th pages are here, here & here.

TO END THE PAGE

For your pleasure and interest.

A splendid video of a 'murmuration'. What exactly is a murmuration? We can tell you thanks to Denise Antler of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - of the The Budgerigar and Foreign Bird Society - who brought the whole subject to my attention. The words that follow, which explain the meaning of 'murmuration' better than I ever could, are I understand the words of the folks who produced the actual video.

A Murmuration of Starlings

No one knows why they do it. Yet each fall, thousands of starlings dance in the twilight above England and Scotland. The birds gather in shape-shifting flocks called 'murmurations', having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter�s frigid bite. Scientists aren�t sure how they do it, either. The starlings' murmurations are manifestations of swarm intelligence, which in different contexts is practiced by schools of fish, swarms of bees and colonies of ants. As far as I am aware, even complex algorithmic models haven�t yet explained the starlings� aerobatics, which rely on the tiny birds' quicksilver reaction time of under 100 milliseconds to avoid aerial collisions�and predators�in the giant flock.

Despite their tour de force in the dusky sky, starlings have declined significantly in the U.K. in recent years, perhaps because of a decline in suitable nesting sites. The birds still roost in several of Britain�s rural pastures, however, settling down to sleep (and chatter) after their evening ballet.

Two young ladies were out for a late afternoon canoe ride on the Shannon River (I presume in Ireland) & fortunately one of them remembered to bring her video camera. What they saw was a wonderful 'murmuration' display, caught in a short video - available by clicking the image below. You used to come to the applicable page of 'Islands and Rivers', independent filmmakers of London - the good folks who made the video. But their site is gone. But the video is still available elsewhere - click below.

Enjoy. Do view it in a full-screen size.

The webmaster has seen similar masses of birds in flight, near Toronto, Ontario, Canada - but never one as splendid or spectacular as this fine display.

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Anticipated mutiny on Kinross - Summer 1968

In 1968 I was serving as a Radio Operator on HMS Decoy a Daring Class Destroyer under the command of Commander Symonds Taylor RN. We were a Gibraltar Guard Ship at the time, which meant that the ship maintained a 'steam up' condition 24/7.

In late July we received an SOS from the Kinross asking for assistance due to Captain Munro having fear both for his own safety & for that of his wife & child.

We slipped our moorings and made our way towards Algiers at 32 knots with every rivet rattling. We were told later that we had put to sea about two hours before we got clearance from the Admiralty to proceed.

The Radio Officer in the Kinross was of Hong Kong Chinese, as was the engineer, and he had barricaded himself inside the radio shack and sent the distress call. For some reason we were not allowed to inform him that we were on our way, but we were using Morse Code and talking to him the whole time going down the coast asking him how he was. He must have known from the signal strength that we were closing in on him. The mutineers were the deck crew who were all from China.

Boarding ladders were mounted on the Bofors gun deck high up by the bridge and the Bofors was manned. The 10� and 20� signal lamps were manned and a boarding party armed with sterling sub-machine guns & riot batons was fallen in on the iron deck. From there it could be clearly seen from any other ship.

Captain Munro said that the nightmare voyage had begun in May 1968 when he took the ship to the north of China & loaded cargo for Cuba. The Communist crew lined up on the quayside and started to quote the Thoughts of Chairman Mao. Then they forced me to put on my British uniform and tell them that I supported the study of Mao�s thoughts on my ship. I was afraid of what might happen to my wife Mary, who is Chinese, and our four-year-old son Donald. I had no alternative. Munro said 'My wife understood every word they said. They planned to kill us'. So as we approached Gibraltar I radioed a distress call to the Navy'.

Munro stated that he met the destroyer Decoy about 10 o�clock at night. She steamed to within 50 ft. of us with all of her lights off. Suddenly she turned on every light she had and lit us up like daylight. Then with all guns trained she slowly circled us. On Decoy's 'deck were three lines of sailors in steel helmets and life-jackets and carrying machine guns. I think it was the greatest moment of my life'.

The reds took one look and scuttled below decks. I was nearly in tears.'

Decoy did not place a party aboard Kinross but escorted the vessel to Gibraltar, where the police took over matters. Captain Munro resigned from the ship after being safely escorted back to Gibraltar. When he later returned to Hong Kong he was met by Communist agents and threatened that 'something terrible would happen if he complained'.