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TM EDITORIAL am frequently surprised by how Editor • Nicholas Leach [email protected] knowledgeable Ships Monthly’s readers Art Editor • Mark Hyde are, and how they can come up with REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Andrew & Donna Cooke • Roy Cressey • Gary answers to what I think are the most Davies • Jack Gaston • Nick Hall • William obscure queries. For example, the Mayes • Russell Plummer • Jim Shaw ADVERTISEMENT SALES twoI photos of the fleet at the China Station Talk Media • 01732 445325 (see Chartroom in SM, Feb for details) have [email protected] Production Supervisor • Amy Rutter generated plenty of interest, comments and 01733 353365 or [email protected] Jackie Aubrey [email protected] ship identifications. I can only admit to being MANAGEMENT very impressed by the number of readers Managing Director • Phil Weeden Chief Executive • Steve Wright who offered their knowledge of the various case, so I wonder if any reader can provide Chairman • Steve Annetts ships which were pictured in the two unusual details of which warship does hold the title of Finance Director • Joyce Parker-Sarioglu Creative Directors • Vicky Ophield & Emma Dublin photographs. In fact, readers’ thoughts about the most expensive? And, indeed, what other Retail Distribution Manager • Eleanor Brown the photos are still coming in. ships have been particularly costly? Audience Development Manager • Andy Cotton Subs Marketing Manager • Dan Webb With the mystery ship feature, it is rare that In this issue we have the usual variety of Brand Marketing Manager • Rebecca Gibson Events Manager • Kat Chappell the ship remains unidentified. Even when features, photos and news, which I hope will Events Marketing Manager • Sarah Jackson it does for one month, a contributor often offer something to satisfy everyone. We go Publishing Operations Manager • Charlotte Whittaker comes in with the correct information the next behind the scenes during the building of the SUBSCRIPTIONS month, as was the case with the paddlers on cruise ship Royal Princess back in the 1980s, 12 issues of Ships Monthly are published per annum the Tamar (see SM, March). However, I made look at the story of the Cabin class rivals, and UK annual subscription price: £51.00 an error in my last editorial, stating that the enjoy a rare glimpse of some Scottish-built Europe annual subscription price: £64.49 USA annual subscription price: £64.49 new US Navy destroyer Zumwalt was the most paddlers still going strong in Bangladesh. Rest of World annual subscription price: £70.49 expensive warship ever built. This is not the Contact us UK subscription and back issue orderline: 0333 043 9848 Overseas subscription orderline: 0044 (0) 1959 543 747 Toll free USA subscription orderline: 1-888-777-0275 Nicholas Leach UK customer service team: 01959 543 747 Editor Customer service email address: [email protected] [email protected] Customer service and subscription postal address: Ships Monthly Customer Service Team The US Navy’s new $4 billion warship Zumwalt is, Follow Ships Monthly Kelsey Publishing Ltd Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham perhaps surprisingly, not the most expensive ship. on Facebook Kent, TN16 3AG, United Kingdom Website Find current subscription offers and buy back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/smoback Subscribe to Ships Monthly • Find out how on page 22 Already a subscriber? Ships Monthly is also available digitally • Please visit www.pocketmags.com Manage your subscription online at shop. kelsey.co.uk/myaccount DISTRIBUTION Seymour Distribution Ltd 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Contributors this month www.seymour.co.uk • 020 7429 4000 PRINTING William Gibbons & Sons Ltd Kelsey Media 2016 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the Conrad Waters Thomas Rinaldi Krispen Atkinson David Brown author and not previously published. 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You can opt out at ANY time via email: [email protected] or 01959 543524. www.kelsey.co.uk www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 3 contents BUILDING ROYAL A CRUISE SHIP PRINCESS SHIP... OF THE MONTH Regulars 16 Cargo NORDSTJERNEN £4.25 www.shipsmonthly.com April 2016 Record breaker at London Gateway, car carriers on the Tyne, and victim of the storm. 18 Preservation BOX BOATS Museum acquires historic Fairmile, patrol boat Gladstone, and campaign for LV72. Nick Hall RECORD BREAKER Biggest container ship comes to the Thames APRIL 2016 • Vol 51 • Vol 2016 APRIL 6 Waterfront

£4.25 Atlantic Star enters service, Arctic routes see

OFFSHORE downturn, Tall Ships at 60, Brittany freight link. PATROL FERRY NEWS Larne-Troon service to close 10 Ferry Larne-Troon service closed, Stena ring the changes and P&O boost. Russell Plummer

Port pro le Penzance & Newlyn Liners Cabin class rivals

April 2016 OFC_mh.indd 1 08/02/2016 12:49 20 News Feature COVER China Shipping Line’s 187,541gt container 12 Cruise A look at the vessel which has provided the ship CSCL Arctic Ocean; news of ULCCs can be More ports dropped, Mein Schiff 5 launched, link with the outside world for St Helena found in Cargo on page 16. FOTOFLITE and Le Boreal goes for repairs. William Mayes since 1989. Russell Plummer

ALSO AVAILABLE 14 Naval 45 Ships pictorial DIGITALLY US Coast Guard to get new ice breaker, and Ships pictured around the world, including in WWW.POCKETMAGS.COM carriers to get Amphibious role. Gary Davies Rhodes, Miami, Sagami Bay and Malta.

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Features 48 The Empire Cadets 33 Ship of the Month Chronicling a class of coastal tanker that became 24 Royal Princess NORDSTJERNEN very familiar around ports and harbours in the 2016 marks the 60th anniversary for Designing and building P&O Princess Cruises’ post-war era. Roy Cressey Nordstjernen, the still active former cruise ship Royal Princess in 1984. David Brown Hurtigruten liner which has enjoyed 52 Cabin class rivals a fine career. Peter Knego Six unique and innovative passenger ships built by France, the UK and the USA, which became known as Cabin class liners. David Williams 56 Most westerly ports Profiles of today’s shipping scene in the most westerly ports in the UK, Penzance and its neighbour Newlyn. Krispen Atkinson Chartroom 28 Holland on patrol 60 Ships mail A look at the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Holland A selection of letters from readers. class Offshore Patrol Vessels. Conrad Waters 62 Ports of call 38 Maritime Mosaic Cruise ship calls around the UK in April. Pictorial showing some of the regular visitors to Andrew and Donna Cooke Cowes Regatta. Gordon Roberts 63 Ships library 40 Scottish rockets 66 View from the Bridge Reviews and details of new maritime books. A voyage on historic Scottish-built paddlers that Captain Alistair Clark, master of Cunard’s cruise still operate through the Ganges-Brahmaputra ship Queen Elizabeth, talks about his career and 64 Mystery ship Can you identify this month’s mystery ship? delta in Bangladesh. Thomas Rinaldi his ship. Paul Brown

APRIL 2016 • Volume 51 • No.4

The veteran Stena Line ferry Stena Europe swings away from her berth at Fishguard and heads off to Rosslare. NICHOLAS LEACH WATERFRONT Built in Spain New tonnage for Great Lakes RESEARCH SHIP Spain’s Gondan Shipyard at Figueras has launched the new shery and oceanographic research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen for the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Designed by Norway’s Skipsteknisk, and to be operated by the Norwegian Institute of Marine ABOVE The 20,600gt bulker carrier Federal Bering, seen shortly after being Research, the 74.5m by 17.4m vessel completed, is now in service in Canada. will mainly operate in tropical and sub- tropical areas to improve developing LEFT The 24,100gt Algoma Equinox countries’ sheries management. under way in the Welland Canal. CNW The newbuilding has two MaK nine- GROUP/ALGOMA CENTRAL CORPORATION cylinder diesel generator sets and one MaK six-cylinder diesel generator set to give a maximum speed of 14.5 knots. serving six box-shaped cargo holds. while the ships being built by Jiangsu NEWBUILDS An 880kW retractable azimuth thruster New propulsion technology combined Yangzijiang will feature standard rear- has been tted in the bow, along with Operators on the North American Great with ne hull lines have cut their fuel mounted unloading booms. All will a 600kW tunnel thruster. JS Lakes are continuing to take delivery consumption by 28 per cent over have a cargo capacity of 29,300 tonnes of new tonnage, despite decreases similar-sized bulkers built for Fednav at maximum Seaway draught. in iron ore and coal loadings over the just ten years ago. Also tted with a forward- past year. Montreal-headquartered Also adding tonnage on the Lakes is mounted self-discharging boom is the Fednav has placed six new Japanese- St Catharines, Ontario-based Algoma 14,986dwt Manitoulin, a ship created built vessels in service, all completed by Central Corporation, which has ve by marrying the stern of the former Oshima Shipbuilding. new ships being built by the 3 Maj Danish chemical tanker Lalandia Swan, The 20,789gt Federal Bering, Federal Shipyard in Croatia and two at China’s built in 1991, with a new forebody built Baltic, Federal Beaufort, Federal Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. in China by the Chengxi Shipyard. The ABOVE The Norwegian Agency for Barents, Federal Bristol and Federal Three of the 3 Maj vessels will reconstructed ship is now trading for Development Cooperation will get its Biscay measure 658ft (199.98m) by carry their discharge boom mounted Rand Logistics, which operates nine new research ship Dr Fridtjof Nansen 77.9ft (23.76m) and are equipped with forward, to give them more handling Canadian- agged and six US- agged later this year. GONDAN SHIPYARD four 35-tonne capacity deck cranes exibility at several Great Lakes ports, ships on the Great Lakes. JS

First of ten for Arklow The 89m single hold Arklow Vale NEWBUILD is a Royal Bodewes-built 5,100dwt Arklow Vale, leadship of ten Trader Series vessel, and was newbuilds on order for Arklow launched at the Dutch inland yard of Shipping, which celebrates its Hoogezand, near Groningen. She has 60th anniversary this year, made a an energy-ef cient bow developed rst call to Dublin Port in January, by Groot Ship Design. Her maiden having entered service the previous commercial voyage was from Ghent, autumn. The 2,999gt newbuild was Belgium to Pasajas in Spain. A sister, The 2006-built LNG tanker Arctic Princess in Scapa Flow. MAGNUS BUDGE loaded with slag from Gijon, northern Arklow View is the second of the new Spain and discharged the cargo at series that are replacing an ageing the South Bank Quay. trio of Dutch-built coasters. JA LNG transfer completed operation had to be suspended at one Arklow Vale’s LNG TANKERS point, but when conditions improved, first call at A ship-to-ship transfer of Lique ed the transfer got under way. Dublin. JEHAN ASHMORE Natural Gas (LNG) was completed Brian Archibald, the Council’s successfully between two vessels at Harbour Master and Head of anchor in Scapa Flow in January. In Marine Services, Engineering and the fourth operation of its kind to Transportation, said: ‘All involved take place in the Flow, the LNG was worked together to ensure that transferred between the tankers this was a safe and well-executed Excelerate and Arctic Princess. operation. We are pleased that the The transfer was overseen by transfer of LNG was undertaken global STS service provider Fendercare successfully, supported by our skilled Marine, with support from Orkney teams in the safe anchorage of Scapa Islands Council Marine Services’ pilots Flow’. The 121,597gt tanker Arctic and launch crews, and three tugs Princess measures 288m by 49.04m, is operated by Orkney Towage. Due Norwegian- agged and is operated by to extreme weather conditions, the Hoegh LNG Fleet Management.

6 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Con-ro Atlantic Star enters service WATERFRONT www.shipsmonthly.com • Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG • t > 01959 541444 • e > [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com

Atlantic Star makes her debut at Antwerp. FLOR VAN OTTERDYK

vehicle units. Designed by Danish in greater stability and a more at Gothenburg and Antwerp, before CON-RO ship architects Knud E. Hansen, the ef cient use of space. ACL’s weekly making a maiden call at Liverpool on Atlantic Star, the World’s largest con- design carries twice the number of service connects Halifax, New York, Boxing Day, where port stevedores ro vessel, entered service in December containers and offers a third more Baltimore and Norfolk with Hamburg, had to familiarise themselves with the for Grimaldi-owned Atlantic Container ro-ro capacity in a similar length than Gothenburg, Antwerp and Liverpool. vessel as they loaded her, as did the Line. The 100,530gt 296m British- the 1984/85-built G3 class ships which After Atlantic Star arrived in crew and Mersey river pilots. agged vessel, which is the rst of a are being replaced. Hamburg from China in December Atlantic Star will be followed by series of ve G4 class vessels being The innovative design sees all ro-ro 2015, there was little time for Atlantic Sail, Atlantic Sea, Atlantic Sky built for ACL by Hudong-Zhonghua cargo placed midships, with heavier, familiarisation or port trials and the and Atlantic Sun, which will enter Shipbuilding, Shanghai, can carry more densely-stowed containerised vessel departed Hamburg on her service at approximately three-month 3,817TEU, 1,307 cars and 760 large cargo stowed fore and aft, resulting maiden voyage on 18 December, calling intervals throughout this year. MD

Migrants go Freight link started New DFDS vessels arrive for Spirit was built in Norway in 1999 and is BRITTANY FERRIES powered by a single Wärtsilä diesel PORT NEWS DOVER FERRIES In early February Brittany Ferries engine delivering 15,600kW at 500rpm, Traf c through Calais was brought to started operating a new freight service with a top speed of 20 knots. The rst of two former SeaFrance/ a standstill during the evening of 23 between Poole and Bilbao in Northern ‘Freight activity to and from the MyFerryLink vessels chartered from January after 400 migrants stormed Spain using the French- agged United Kingdom is undergoing a Eurotunnel went into service for DFDS the port, with around 40 managing Compagnie Maritime Nantaise ro-ro period of strong growth, particularly Seaways between Dover and Calais as to get aboard the P&O Ferries vessel freight vessel Pelican (12,076gt), which the unaccompanied market,’ said Côte des Dunes in mid February, with Spirit of Britain. The incident followed carries around 100 unaccompanied Brittany Ferries freight director Simon near sister Côte des Flandres due to a pro-migrant demonstration through trailers and 12 drivers. Wagstaff, who added: ‘Our charter of follow towards the end of the month. Calais town centre, with a breakaway During a 12-month charter with Pelican will help meet growing demand Côte des Dunes, delivered by Aker group catching police unawares and options for extensions, the ship will from freight customers and free up Finnyards from Rauma, Finland as tearing a hole in a 10ft-high fence to operate two round-trips a week. She more garage space on other ships.’ RP SeaFrance Rodin in 2001, and Côte des gain access to the secure area. Flandres, completed in Saint-Nazaire A total of 24 migrants were arrested by Chantiers de la Atlantique, as on Spirit of Britain and a further 11, SeaFrance Berlioz four years later, were believed to be from the No Borders handed over to DFDS on 15 September activist group, were also detained 2015 and received major internal and and escorted off the ship. Natacha external work in Dunkirk. Bouchart, Deputy Mayor of Calais, Accommodation for up to 2,000 immediately called for more support passengers has been upgraded to bring from the French Government in them into line with other DFDS cruise safeguarding the port after the ferries after the existing layout was migrants had veered off the agreed removed. Each vessel’s four Wärtsilä main route for the march. Calais was closed diesel engines have been overhauled, for more than an hour, with P&O and as have the thrusters and rudders, DFDS Seaways vessels held until sailings while more than 9,000m2 of Amtico resumed with delays of between one laminate ooring has been laid. The on two hours until into the night. RP ABOVE The 1999-built ro-ro vessel Pelican has been chartered by Brittany Ferries. pair were repainted in DFDS livery. RP

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 7 WATERFRONT

The veteran tall ship Christian WATERFRONT Keel laid for Radich took part in the first Tallink flier Tall Ships STI race 60 years ago. Max reach 60 ABOVE An impression of Tallink’s new www.shipsmonthly.com • Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG • t > 01959 541444 • e > [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com Helsinki-Tallinn shuttle ferry Megastar.

LNG FERRY Just before a keel-laying ceremony on 9 February for Tallink’s new LNG fast ferry due for delivery in 2017, it was announced that the 2,800-passenger vessel for the Helsinki-Tallinn shuttle route is to be named Megastar. The name was chosen following a competition and, according to Janek Stalmeister, chairman of the Tallink Grupp, it ‘expresses perfectly the characteristics of the ship. It is also Sail on the river Tagus, Lisbon, which The best place to see the biggest UNDER SAIL easy to pronounce in Estonian, Finnish is one of the best places to see the fleet of tall ships in the UK this year will and other languages.’ This year marks the 60th anniversary Tall Ships actually sailing. One entry – be Blyth in Northumberland at the end The 212m/49,000gt vessel, capable of the first tall ships race, which ran Norway’s Christian Radich – was also of August. Blyth is the start port for of 27 knots, will be built in a dry dock from Torbay to Lisbon. Initially seen as a involved in the first race in 1956, while the second North Sea regatta, racing at the Meyer Yard in Turku, Finland, one-off event, it later became biennial another entrant not seen that often is to Gothenburg in Sweden. The British and, by using LNG fuel, will comply and then annual, with one ‘four port/ the French barque Belem. contingent is led by the barque Lord with the new and stricter emission race-cruise-race series’ event being There is another event, the SCF Nelson and the gaff ketch Maybe. regulations for the ECA areas, including held every year. This year the ‘regular’ Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta, which Christian Radich will be there, and the the Baltic Sea. Tallink owns 17 vessels STI race takes in Antwerp, Lisbon, Cadiz, starts at from Constanta, Romania and largest entry will probably be the Polish and operates under Tallink and Silja Line and La Coruna, all ports which have sees the ships sail via the Russian ports ship Dar Mlodziezy. Other participants ships on six different routes, employing hosted the race before. of Novorossiysk and Sochi, ending in include the tall Polish brig Fryderyk 7,000 people and annually handling up The race after Antwerp will start in Varna, Bulgaria, visiting the same ports Chopin and the more traditional- to nine million passengers. RP Torbay on 13 July, with the Parade of as in the first Black Sea regatta in 2014. looking Dutch brig Morgenster. Max Classic liner to be saved? French polar logistics ship’s berthing fees during that time. SS UNITED STATES The cruise line envisions a passenger ABOVE France is to build a new The SS United States Conservancy capacity of 800 with a crew of 600. 72m-long polar logistics and announced an agreement with Crystal Edie Rodriguez, Crystal Cruises’ patrol icebreaker. Wärtsilä Cruise Lines to launch a formal study to President and CEO, anticipates costs convert the former transatlantic ocean for the conversion to reach upwards of liner United States into a dedicated $700 million. Other particulars, such as cruise ship at a press conference at where the ship would be flagged and New York on 4 February. whether the conversion would require Under the agreement, the her to be re-engined, are yet to be non-profit Conservancy will retain determined, Rodriguez said. Preliminary ownership of the vessel, currently renderings show extensive changes to moored at Philadelphia, while Crystal the ship’s profile, including the addition undertakes a nine-month ‘technical of balconies. Built in 1952, the liner has feasibility study’ of the proposed lain idle since 1969, and the Conservancy conversion. Crystal will cover the has owned her since 2011. TR Patrol icebreaker new icebreaker will utilise propulsion equipment to be supplied by Wärtsilä, The PIRIOU yard at Concarneau, including four Wärtsilä 20 main France has been contracted by the engines fitted with Wärtsilä NOx French government to build a 72m Reducer systems and two stainless polar logistics and patrol icebreaker steel propellers that will conform to for Terre Australes et Antarctiques the Bureau Veritas (BV) icebreaker 5 Françaises (TAAF) and the French ice class rules. The new ship will have Polar Institute (IPEV), with the vessel accommodation for 60 persons and to be operated by the French Navy a cargo capacity of 1,200 tonnes. Her when completed in late 2017. first task is expected to be a resupply Based on a concept design issued mission to the French Dumont by Marine Assistance (France), the d’Urville station in Antarctica. JS

8 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Arctic routes see downturn BRIEF NEWS Russia’s icebreaker fleet, including the RAMSGATE PORT • The first nuclear-powered Rossiya, have had fewer shipment of 1,000 cars through commercial ships to escort across the the Port of Ramsgate took Northeast passage this year, but domestic place on 20 January, when the transits have been on the rise. Atomflot car carrier Autopremier arrived in the Kent port. The new service is operated by GEFCO UK Ltd under licence from Thanet District Council, which owns the port facilities at Ramsgate and expects to import around 500,000 vehicles annually. Ramsgate has been struggling to find clients for the port since TransEuropa Ferries went bankrupt in April 2013. PB

Churchill for sale • Denver, Coloraro-headquartered OmniTRAX is negotiating to sell Canada’s Port of Churchill, Manitoba and its 627-mile-long connecting rail line following the ending of the Canada Wheat Board’s grain export monopoly, which has reduced shipments through the Hudson Bay 2014, and less than 100,000 tons by However, Russia’s Deputy Minister of gateway to less than 150,000 ARCTIC PASSAGES the end of last October, although Transport, Viktor Olersky, noted in the tonnes annually. JS With diminishing ice levels, both the domestic trade between Russian recent Arctic Circle 2015 conference Northwest and Northeast passages ports in the Arctic has been steadily that cargo being moved to and from NEW IN JAPAN • The new across the Arctic have seen an increase increasing. The Northwest passage Russian ports along the NSR has been ferry Bizan has recently been in commercial shipping traffic over has seen even less use, although a increasing year by year, with over introduced, and is the first of the the past half-decade, but recent low number of small expedition-type cruise 4.5 million tons moved in 2015. Most replacement ferries being built bunker prices have made the cold- ships have been making seasonal full of this increase has come from the by Saeki Heavy Industry, Oita for water short-cuts less attractive. or partial transits, and two Finnish substantial oil and gas development Ocean Tokyu Ferry Co. The new The Northern Sea Route (NSR), across icebreakers employed in Shell’s now projects in the region. The NSR will 13,500gt vessel measures 191m the top of Russia, has seen a substantial cancelled Chukchi Sea drilling project not become a major alternative to the by 27m and is mainly intended to drop in transit traffic, from 1.3 million off Alaska, Nordica and Fennica, Suez Canal, but will play a crucial role in carry freight, having a passenger tons in 2013 to only 300,000 tons in returned home via the waterway. Russia’s Arctic development projects. JS capacity of only 266.

NEW TANKER • The Ardmore Dun Laoghaire cruise port? Shipping Corporation, a Europa set Bermuda-based operator of product and chemical to return tankers, has taken delivery of the 25,233dwt Ardmore Ferry movements Chippewa from Japan’s Fukuoka Silja Europa (see SM, March Ship Shipbuilding and the 49,999dwt of the Month) is being restored Ardmore Seahawk from South to boost capacity for Tallink’s Korea’s SPP Shipbuilding as Helsinki-Tallinn route, which will also the final units of two four- continue to be served by fast ferries shipbuilding programmes. Superstar (2008/36,227gt) and Star Their delivery has brought the (2007/36,249gt), as well as the cruise The Finnish-built cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 anchored unusually close to shore Ardmore fleet up to 24 vessels, ferry Baltic Queen (2009/48,915gt). when visiting Dun Laoghaire on 18 September 2015. Jehan Ashmore which have an average age of Most of 1993-built/59,912gt Silja five years, the oldest having Europa’s passenger areas, including At present, cruise ships have been built in 2002. Ardmore Port news the cabins, restaurants, shops and to berth outside the harbour, and Chippewa (pictured) measures show bar, will be renovated, and most Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company have passengers are tendered ashore. TUI 159m by 27m. JS of the restaurants and on-board shops announced plans for an €18 million Cruises’ 2,506-passenger newbuild will be refurbished. Newly returned single-berth cruise terminal in the Mein Schiff 4 made her debut in 2015 from a charter as an accommodation centre of the harbour. This has proved and called at Dun Laoghaire while on an vessel to Bridgemans Services, Silja to be very controversial, as the harbour 11-day round trip from Hamburg. She Europa starts sailings on the Helsinki- is the centre of Irish sailing, and there returns to the Irish port to open the Tallinn route while Superstar and Baltic are major concerns about cruise ships 2016 season, and a further seven cruise Queen go for refit. RP occupying the area. ships are also scheduled to call. JA

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 9 FERRYRussell Plummer BRIEF NEWS P&O enjoys freight boost NO ROUTE • One of the least unexpected announcements was that from new company Regina Line, which will not be starting a service between Esbjerg and Harwich planned to fill a gap left by the closure in autumn 2014 of the long- established DFDS route. Regina Line had proposed chartering the ferry Regina Baltica (1980/18,345gt), which served as a floating hotel in Shetland before she was sold last year to Scandinavian interests, but said the vessel was no longer ABOVE Pride of Rotterdam departs Hull on her regular North Sea crossing. Nicholas Leach available to start a planned charter from February. Marghera, Venice in 2001, to 52,000. Channel, including the highest ever NORTH SEA The P&O terminal at Europoort has volume of freight between Dover ROLE FOR GEORGE • Kevin P&O Ferries achieved an 11 per cent benefitted from a 250m rail extension, and Calais during the July-September George, managing director increase in the number of HGVs using the handling longer freight trains from quarter, a 30 per cent year-on-year of Red Funnel Ferries, has Hull-Rotterdam Europoort service during Central and Eastern Europe to enhance increase. P&O Ferries serve nine major been appointed Chairman of 2015, representing more than 5,000 capacity and efficiency. Loading and routes between Britain, France, Ireland, Discover Ferries, the industry extra vehicles, which boosted the year’s discharge at both Hull and Europoort is Holland and Belgium, operating 20 organisation formed by 12 total carried by 59,925gt sisterships among the fastest in the sector. vessels, which carry more than ten operators providing services Pride of Hull and Pride of Rotterdam, The news follows a strong 2015 P&O million passengers, 1.6 million cars and in and out of British ports to delivered from Fincantieri’s yard at Ferries performance on the English two million freight units every year. promote travel by ferry. He replaces Stephen Tuckwell, long-time Communications Director at Brittany Ferries. Condor Liberation stopped by damage To compensate, additional crossings CEO since 2009, who left the company WESTERN CHANNEL LORIENT SERVICE • The contract were provided from Portsmouth over in December 2015. A Guernsey resident to construct a new ferry for the Condor Ferries’ passenger and car the weekend by Condor’s conventional who has worked in the Channel Islands French service from Lorient to services between Poole and the vessels, ro-pax Commodore Clipper and for more than 25 years, Mr Luxon is Ile de Groix has gone to Piriou Channel Islands were at a standstill for freight ro-ro Commodore Goodwill. well-known in political and business life of Concarneau. The vessel will almost a week until Tuesday 5 January, Condor welcome a new chief as current Chair of the Jersey Hospitality be 43.5m long, with space for after the trimaran Condor Liberation executive from the beginning of May, Association Strategy Group and an 300 passengers and 18 cars. The suffered belting damage when she with Paul Luxon replacing Russell Kew, elected Deputy of the States of Guernsey. size of the harbour at Port Tudy was blown against the berth as 55-knot on the island precludes a larger winds lashed the Dorset port. vessel. The new ferry will join During the storm, which had already current ship Ile de Groix (2008), brought cancellation of Condor while Saint Tudy (1985) will Liberation’s scheduled 30 December become a reserve ship for the 2015 trip to Guernsey and Jersey, crew Groix-Belle-Ile route, replacing members worked with harbour staff to the 1971-built Acadie. place extra protection between the ship and berth to prevent further damage. Condor Liberation has been in the wars. Tony Rive

FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . .

OCTAVIA • The Stockholm PRINCESS MARIA • St Peter Line BERLIN • Scandlines’ hopes of archipelago’s latest passenger started 2016 with three months getting Berlin into service between vessel was delivered in the second of one-ship sailings linking St Gedser and Rostock during week of December 2015 after being Petersburg, Tallinn, Helsinki and December 2015 were dashed when completed at Kokkola, Finland by Stockholm by the former DFDS an engine room switchboard Kewatec Aluboat. She is 23.7m long vessel. Princess Anastasia (ex-Pride fault brought more delays. Now and can carry 200 passengers at of Bilbao) is chartered out until a a possible service debut is set for speeds of up to 20 knots, with on- full service resumes in April. this coming Easter. Berlin remains NORD PAS-DE-CALAIS • Eurotunnel board accommodation including at Fayard, Denmark with sistership plans to support its fixed link a saloon and an open upper deck. Copenhagen, which is not expected operations using the 7,264gt Octavia is based on the island of to appear until the summer. Major former SeaFrance/MyFerry Ornö, and her operator, Haninge works include the removal of 1,100 Link ro-ro vessel, seen at Dover Charter & Sjötaxi, also runs the motor tonnes of steelwork to reduce Eastern Docks, have been ruled vessels Langvik and Ramsö from the deadweight, with upper decks now out by the French Supreme Court. Southern Archipelago island. built in lighter materials.

10 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Townsend WATERFRONT Larne-Troon service closed veteran sinks P&O said the decision to drop the chartered fast craft for Troon, P&O admit NORTH CHANNEL route, provided on a seasonal basis to being unable to develop a solution. The widely expected closure of the since 2003, was taken after a review Now the Larne-Cairnryan service loss-making Irish Sea high-speed of options, with all North Channel continues, with up to seven sailings

service between Larne and Troon was emphasis now on the Larne-Cairnryan each way a day using European [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com confirmed by P&O Ferries in mid- route. There will be no redundancies, Causeway and European Highlander, January, route vessel, the 91m Incat as all permanent staff have been found delivered from Japan by Mitsubishi in Express, having completed a long-term alternative roles within the company. 2000 and 2002. They are to receive INDONESIA charter from Balearia last September. After negotiations with a number £500,000 of onboard improvements She has since been sold to Swedish of suppliers and other organisations, during the next 18 months, and over Indonesian ferry BSP III (pictured), which operator Gotlandsbatan. including the search for a lower cost 50 seats will be added to each ship. rolled over and sank due to a water leak while under repair in Bojonegara, Banten Province, was originally delivered in 1973 as the last of seven ‘Free Enterprise’ vessels built by Werft Gusto in Schiedam, Amsterdam. She served Townsend Car Ferries as Free Enterprise VII from Dover to Calais and later to Zeebrugge with sister Free Enterprise VI. Rebuilding in Bremerhaven, along with FEVI during winter 1984-85, saw the whole superstructure lifted off for the creation of a full height upper vehicle before they became Pride of Walmer and Pride of Sandwich. After service as Pride of Rathlin and Pride of Ailsa, the former FEVII was sold to

ABOVE European Causeway in Loch Ryan, approaching P&O’s Cairnryan terminal. RUSSELL PLUMMER Jakarta-based operator Sungi Budi. Stena ring the changes MacBrayne set new targets January. She then spent more than of beating Serco when Transport IRISH SEA SCOTTISH FERRIES a month on the Dublin-Holyhead Scotland unveils the winner of the £1 Stena Line’s Irish Sea fleet’s refit run while Stena Superfast X (2002) With David MacBrayne set to become billion long-term contract after the programme lasted into early March, underwent an in-water survey lasting operator of the Marchwood Military Scottish Parliament elections in May and started when Stena Flavia a couple of days, and then headed Port through its joint venture Transport Scotland is expected to (2008/26,904gt) arrived from the north to cover the refits of 2001-built company, Solent Gateway, chief unveil the new tender for the Northern Gothenburg-Frederikshavn route in Belfast-Cairnryan sisterships Stena executive Martin Dorchester has Isles services from Aberdeen to Kirkwall mid-January to release Stena Horizon Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII. identified their next targets. These and Lerwick, together with the shorter (2006/27,522gt) from the former Stena Adventurer (2003/43,532gt) are gaining a new contract for Clyde Scrabster-Stromness run, in 2017 Celtic Link service linking Rosslare went to Harland and Wolff from and Western Isles ferry services before it is awarded in 2018. Although and Cherbourg, while Stena Gothica 16 February to 7 March. Rosslare- and winning back the £234 million they lost out last year when bidding for (1982/13,294gt) covered in Scandinavia. Fishguard route veteran Stena Europe Northern Isles operation to Orkney and the Swedish ferry links with the island of Visentini series vessel Stena Horizon (1981/24,828gt) was at A&P Falmouth Shetland, which went to Serco in 2012. Gotland, Mr Dorchester says MacBrayne was the first into drydock at Harland for three weeks from 16 February, but After securing a three-year Clyde/ has proved its ability to win new and Wolff in Belfast, from 14 to 28 there was no direct replacement Western Isles extension, he is confident business with the Marchwood contract.

CARRIER • The 1998-built freighter AMORELLA • The long-serving EXPRESS SANTORINI • Chartered and her sistership Trader, formerly Viking Line vessel, running from each summer since 2007 to owned by Eckerö Shipping, have Stockholm to Turku since 1988, Atlantico Line for Azores inter- been bought by Finnlines, who missed a 7 January sailing from island services, the 1974-built previously operated them on the Swedish capital after the former French SNCF English charter along with Transfennica, aluminium strengthening to her Channel ferry Chartres (4,580gt) the ownership change taking helipad cracked in temperatures was used on the Northern Aegean place with the pair lying at Tallinn down to minus 28 degrees. services of owners Hellenic EUROPEAN SEAWAY • To meet high in Estonia. The 1,775-lane-metre Seaways during January and demand, P&O Ferries brought Carrier, renamed Finncarrier, February, standing in for Express the 1991-built/22,986gt freight and Trader as Finnmaster, Pegasus (1977/8,291gt). Carrying ro-ro back into service earlier than are expected to replace the 1,915 passengers and 230 cars, planned. After charter spells as chartered Misana and Misida, Express Santorini first served a wind farm support vessel, she which have been sold by Godby in Greece for Agapitos Express resumed Calais sailings on 7 January. Shipping to Stena RoRo. Ferries from 1993.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 11 CRUISE William Mayes

WATERFRONT Sleek yacht Expedition ship changes hands Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn area, company is now down to a single ship, LINDBLAD carrying up to 126 passengers. having sold Mare Australis to Galapagos Lindblad Expedition Holdings has That capacity will be reduced to 96 operator ETICA. Interestingly, the entered into an agreement to purchase when she is re tted for Lindblad, with Galapagos Islands is the destination of the 2005-built Via Australis (2,716gt) from the 64 passenger cabins reduced to Via Australis when the ship enters service

www.shipsmonthly.com • Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG • t > 01959 541444 • e > [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com Chile’s Cruceros Australis, with delivery 50, including four singles. Cruceros for Lindblad, replacing the 1966-built in the late spring. The ship operates for Australis are said to be ready to build National Geographic Endeavour, her current owner in the Patagonia, a replacement for Via Australis, as the converted from a trawler in 1983. ABOVE Impression of the expedition cruise ship. OLIVER DESIGN SPAIN Via Australis SCENIC CRUISES sold to Lindblad. In November 2015 the Uljanik Shipyard CRUCEROS AUSTRALIS at Rijeka, Croatia announced that it had an order for an expedition cruise ship, but gave no further details. Now it has emerged that the yard, well known for building tankers and small bulk carriers and working on oil and gas platforms, is to build what has been termed as the rst expedition cruising yacht. The design appears to be the work of Oliver Design in Spain, but the owner is Australia’s Scenic Cruises, operator of river cruises in Europe and Asia. Although the company sells itineraries on other cruise ships, this is a rst venture with its own ship. Scenic Eclipse will be around 16,500gt and carry just 228 passengers. The hull will be built to 1A super ice class and the ship will carry two small helicopters. Le Boreal off for repairs Boreal’s Antarctic season for 2015/16 PONANT CRUISES has been cancelled, and her next Following the major engine room re cruise, in Europe, is now advertised as aboard the 2010-built expedition cruise commencing in early May. ship Le Boreal back in November while French operator Ponant Cruises she was sailing in Antarctic waters, contracted Dutch Offshore and subsequent inspections in Chile, it Contractors, who in turn hired the Norwegian Epic was the first ship to be given was decided to bring the ship back to Chinese heavy lift vessel Kang Sheng Norwegian Edge. WILLIAM MAYES Europe for repairs. Kou, which loaded the 10,944gt Le Where the work is to be carried out Boreal at the Chilean port of Punta is not known, but, as she will be repaired Arenas on 15 January, for her return to Norwegian has the Edge in Europe rather than South America, Europe. Sailing from Punta Arenas on spring 2016 Pride of America and it seems that the damage may be 20 January, she is expected to arrive in NCL Norwegian Sun will have their re ts, quite extensive. The remainder of Le Genoa around 16 February. Norwegian Edge is not the name followed in the summer by Norwegian of the next new ship, but is the Dawn. Autumn and winter will see term coined by NCL to describe the attention given to Norwegian Spirit, major programme of investment Sky and Pearl, while the last ship in the and enhancement of its eet and current programme; Norwegian Jade, overall product. Although the name will be dealt with in spring 2017. has only recently been announced, Never one to miss an opportunity the programme actually began to extract money from passengers, in October 2015 with the re t of NCL is introducing an extra-charge Norwegian Epic, followed by that of à la carte menu in the so-called Norwegian Gem in November. complimentary main dining rooms. The programme largely focuses The next new ship to be delivered on refurbishing or rebranding public to NCL will be the as-yet-unnamed, rooms, but outdoor spaces are second vessel of the Breakaway being enhanced too, with particular Plus class, which is destined for emphasis on the Haven areas. In the Chinese market. ABOVE Le Boreal after loading on the Chinese-owned semi-submersible ship Kang Sheng Kou at Punta Arenas, Chile on 15 January. DUTCH OFFSHORE CONTRACTORS

12 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com Happier days in Istanbul. BRIEF NEWS William Mayes Princess Cruises • Grand Princess lost power on 30 November 2015 when about 20 nautical miles off Hawaii Island. The ship proceeded to Honolulu for repairs and the remainder of the cruise was cancelled. It was thought that a small engine room fire caused the problem.

Azamara • Azamara Journey is the first of Azamara Cruises’ two ships to be dry-docked, for a major refit and interior upgrade, at the Grand Bahama More ports dropped Shipyard. Azamara Quest, will have a refit in April in Singapore.

Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, have the latest to abandon Turkey, having Carnival • Carnival Inspiration Industry news dropped calls at all Turkish ports dropped calls at Istanbul and Kusadasi. has recently gone for a major One wonders just how close we are in for 2016 in response to the recent With much of the Black Sea, the dry docking and refit lasting the cruise industry to boarding our terrorist attack in Sultanahmet Square Levant and North Africa now off limits three weeks at Portland, ship at its safe and secure home port in Istanbul. MSC, too, has dropped its to many mainstream cruise lines, Oregon. Internal works include and floating around within sight of it calls at both Istanbul and Izmir, which an ever-increasing number of ships the provision of new bars and for a week before disembarking. Well, affects MSC Magnifica in particular. and an ever decreasing number of restaurants. The ship was back in the Mediterranean it just got a bit Replacement ports will be Piraeus destinations, there could be some very in service on her Baja, Mexico closer. NCL and its subsidiary brands, and Mykonos. Crystal Cruises became crowded ports in the coming year. cruises from Long Beach in early February. New record Mein next new ship Genting Hong Kong • Genting took full control of the Lloyd Werft shipyard at Valletta port Bremerhaven in December 2015, The Maltese capital Valletta had its best in anticipation of the start of year ever in terms of cruise passengers construction of the three ships throughput in 2015. The 306 cruise for subsidiary Crystal Cruises. calls brought almost 670,000 passengers, ten per cent more than Cuba • Time is running out the previous record year, 2012. With for three cruise lines that the effective closure of all the North have been selling cruises to African ports closest to Malta, Valletta Cuba under ‘the people to was an obvious alternative. The busiest people’ programme, one of day was 22 July, when 13,500 cruise the ways in which US citizens passengers were handled. The forecast are allowed to visit Cuba, as for 2016 shows a ten per cent growth the Cuban authorities have not in passenger numbers to 740,000. yet granted licences, and two The port’s current facilities can lines apparently do not have handle three ships, but there are plans berth space booked in Miami. ABOVE Mein Schiff 5 floating-out ceremony in Finland. Meyer Turku to extend the quayside to provide Haimark Line was supposed to additional berths. Valletta is currently before she returns. During the begin on 11 February and Pearl TUI Cruises the only place in the Maltese Islands European summer she will cruise the Seas Cruises soon afterwards. where cruise ships can dock, but there On 15 January, in a snowy Turku, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and western Carnival Corporation’s fathom are also plans to build a new terminal Finland, the next in the six-ship series European coastlines. operation, using the P&O as part of the development of an of cruise vessels under construction by The 99,500gt ship, measuring 295m Cruises’ ship Adonia, has old quarry on the eastern side of the Meyer Turku for TUI Cruises, Mein Schiff by 36m, has a passenger capacity of Miami space booked, but no island of Gozo. Still in the planning 5, was floated out of her building dock. 2,534 in two-berth cabins (82 per cent permission from Cuba. stage, this facility is not likely to see its This is a milestone ship in the history of exterior with balconies) over 15 decks, first ship until 2022. the yard, as she is the first to be built looked after by a crew of 1,000. Star Cruises • The homeport of completely within the period in which Her sistership, Mein Schiff 6, is Superstar Virgo is now moved Meyer have owned the shipyard. expected to follow about a year later. from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, She will undergo several months It now emerges that the next two from where she began sailing of fitting out before joining TUI ships, Mein Schiff 7 and 8, will be about on 3 January. She is operating Cruises in July. Her maiden voyage 20m longer, at 315m in length, and will alternate five- and two-night will be a nine-night cruise from Kiel, have a gross tonnage of 111,500. They cruises. The former calls at starting on 15 July, which will take her will also, presumably, have a higher Halong Bay and Danang, while the ABOVE Valletta port has expansion around the eastern Baltic to Tallinn, St passenger capacity, but that has not shorter trips go to Hong Kong. plans. William Mayes Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm yet been announced.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 13 NAVAL Gary Davies China’s carrier quest

With the experience gained from CHINESE NAVY Liaoning, the new ship will feature Speculation that China is in the more mature technology, with midst of building its rst domestic improved coordination between aircraft carrier has been con rmed its systems, but will not be tted by Ministry of National Defence with catapults. Observers suggest of cials. The news comes as no construction of the ship is suf ciently surprise, with a ship of similar size advanced for it to be launched in late and shape of such a vessel under 2016, with an in-service date as early construction, in plain sight, at a dry as 2019. Future carriers could be of dock in Dalian shipyard. differing evolutionary designs as The Type 001A is reported by China gets to grips with newer Chinese state-controlled media to technologies. be a modi ed version of the aircraft carrier Liaoning, using the Soviet Kuznetzov class design as a template. This would indicate a ship of around 50,000-60,000 tonnes, with a short take-off and arrested recovery (STOBAR) con guration for operating Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark jets. The A speculative view ghter aircraft is also an unlicensed of how China’s first copy of Russian technology, in this indigenous carrier case the Sukhoi Su-33 ‘Flanker.’ could look, catapult system aside.

Amphibious role for carriers Coast Guard sees red of Wales is to be completed with the ROYAL NAVY modi cations and Queen Elizabeth As stated in the Strategic Defence and retro tted at a future date. Security Review, the QE class carriers The 750-tonne Aft Island for the are to be redesigned to boost the second of class has been added to the navy’s amphibious capabilities. Each ight deck following its arrival from ship will be modi ed to accommodate Glasgow. The structure is designed to 900 Royal Marines and aviation control aircraft operations aboard the personnel, in addition to the Ship’s aircraft carrier. Company. This is 210 more embarked The rst of class is due to conduct forces than the helicopter carrier HMS sea trials towards the end of the year Ocean offers at present. for delivery in early 2017. A new Damen In addition to extra berths, the ART 80-32 tug will also be delivered to enhancements are likely to include support berthing operations at the the widening of corridors to allow renamed Princess Royal Jetty, which fully-equipped Marines to move is currently known as Middle Slip Jetty, through the ship more easily. Prince at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The Aft Island for The USCG hopes to start production of a new heavy icebreaker to replace Prince of Wales the Polar class by 2020 despite having no budget in place. US COAST GUARD was lifted onto risks not having enough capacity the flight deck on US COAST GUARD 8 January. She will to carry out search and rescue and be structurally The US Coast Guard is to accelerate oil spill response missions as the complete by mid- its timetable for the acquisition of melting sea ice in the region opens up 2016. BAE SYSTEMS a new eet of icebreakers for polar the Arctic to increased tourism and operations. At present they only have oil exploration. one heavy icebreaker, which is 40 With US missions being undertaken years old, and one medium icebreaker in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and which are operational. A second heavy the latter requiring an ocean voyage of icebreaker was placed in inactive status 10,000 miles, a recent study concluded in 2011 and is sometimes cannibalised that the Coast Guard needs at least to help keep the other one going. two heavy icebreakers, although three The strategy is in response to heavy and three medium-sized vessels concerns that the United States is the long-term goal.

14 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Underway Oiler under way BRIEF NEWS WATERFRONT ROYAL NAVY • The First Patrol Boat Squadron’s 16-strong eet The US Navy has started the of P2000 patrol boats are to replacement of its Henry get a new lease of life, 30 years J. Kaiser class underway after they entered service. Each replenishment tankers. US NAVY is to receive a major overhaul [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com that includes the replacement of their original twin Perkins diesels with new Caterpillar engines and an advanced electronic control system to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The upgrade is designed to extend the life of the 55-tonne vessels by 15 years.

BANGLADESHI NAVY • Bangladesh has taken delivery of a pair of Chinese-built corvettes. BNS Shadhinota (F 111) and BNS Prottoy (F 112) arrived at Chittagong on 10 will begin to reach the end of their of writing, a shipyard to build the rst January. The 90m vessels are US NAVY service lives in 2021. The Navy wants to of class had yet to be announced, similar to the PLAN’s Type-056, The US Navy’s programme for a new procure the rst TAO-205 later this year although it will be one of either NASSCO displacing 1,500-tonnes each, series of 17 oilers, hitherto known and the remaining 16 at a rate of one or Ingalls Shipbuilding. The award of a and are equipped with Chinese as TAO(X), is to be named the John per year during the period 2018-2033. construction contract for the rst six anti-surface and anti-air missile Lewis (TAO-205) class. The ships, the The double-hulled ships are to have vessels is linked to other projects for systems. Two more of the class nal design of which has yet to be similar capabilities to those they are the amphibious assault ship, LHA-8, are to be constructed at the determined, will replace the current replacing, relying on existing rather and design work on a new class of 11 navy-operated Khulna Shipyard eet of Henry J. Kaiser tankers, which than new technologies. At the time amphibious ships, known as the LX(R). under a technology transfer agreement, with an in-service date of 2019.

Type 42 Trailblazer bows out EGYPTIAN NAVY • High-spending Indian missiles and weapon systems, Egypt plans to equip its newly- INDIAN NAVY resurfaces a mix that was not always compatible. acquired Mistral class helicopter The Indian Navy has retired INS Godavari, She was also one of the rst frigates in carriers with 46 Kamov Ka-52K ARGENTINE NAVY the country’s rst indigenously the world capable of carrying two Sea attack helicopters. They are the The Argentine Navy has re oated designed and built warship. The Project King helicopters. same aircraft that Russia had the former ARA Santisima Trinidad, 16 frigate was decommissioned at The in uence of the Indian-built intended to y from the ships, almost two years after she Mumbai on 23 December 2015 after Nilgiri class gunships, which were prior to the deal collapsing capsized at Puerto Belgrano. The 32 years of service. based on the ubiquitous British because of international sanctions. Type 42 destroyer, the only one of At the time of her introduction, she Leander class, is clear to see from her Each ship will carry up to 16 the class to be built outside the UK, was showcased around the world as a pro le, and was also carried over to naval versions of the Russian was already in a dilapidated state symbol of India’s growing self-reliance the follow-on Brahmaputra (Project equivalent of the US Apache. before she sank in January 2013. and military might. As such, she took 16A) class. The Indian Navy has since With work to remove classi ed With British sanctions denying part in numerous operations and produced 17 warship designs, ranging Russian communications spare parts to maintain the deployments across the Indian Ocean from small craft to a number of equipment completed, the navy’s two destroyers following and beyond, including anti-piracy classes of destroyers and frigates, ships are on course to be the Falklands War, she was often patrols in the Gulf of Aden. and also an aircraft carrier. With 80 handed to Egypt by mid-2016. cannibalised to keep her sistership, The name vessel of a class of three indigenous warships built, the MoD has ARA Hercules, operational. By 2004 steam-powered frigates, Godavari directed that all future orders are to ISRAELI NAVY • The PM was in she was laid up for good. As she was armed with Russian, Western and be built by domestic shipyards. attendance to greet INS Rahav continued to deteriorate through (Splendour), Israel’s latest lack of maintenance, a cracked submarine, upon her arrival pipe caused severe ooding and at the port city of Haifa on 12 she sank at her berth. January. The new addition is The Navy hopes to persuade the fth of six Dolphin class the new Argentine government vessels, built in Kiel to a design to fund her conversion into a tailored to Israeli speci cations, museum, dedicated to her role adapted from the Type 212. A in events leading up to the 1982 sixth and nal vessel is under Falklands War, when she led an construction. A third of the Argentine task force as part of the cost of the project is being so-called Rosario Operation. funded by Germany. ABOVE India’s first guided-missile frigate has been decommissioned. US NAVY

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 15 CARGO Mercator Record breaker at London Gateway sells ships Al Muraykh at BULKERS London Gateway. Mercator Lines Singapore, a subsidiary ANDREW MCALPINE of Mercator India, is selling off its bulk carrier eet following a continuous decline in the Baltic Dry Index, which fell to 369 points, almost 100 points below the record low set in 1985, in mid-January, because of an over-supply in the sector and low freight rates. The company has already disposed of the bulk carriers Kesari Prem, Gauri Prem and Sri Prem Aparna. JS

lower than if the same containers had a world-record-breaking load on PORT NEWS been on board a 13,500TEU ship. board Al Muraykh, the greenest On 2 January DP World London Gateway The ship measures 400m in length vessel in the world and one of the Port welcomed one of the world’s and the containers are loaded 11 high largest in operation. This voyage largest container ships, carrying a above deck and 23 across. The ship marks a very important milestone in recorded 18,601TEU. The UASC-owned left Malaysia’s Port Klang carrying the our newbuilding and environmental Al Muraykh called at London Gateway largest ever number of containers on sustainability programme.’ to unload 3,800 containers. According board a vessel and arrived at London Launched in 2015, Al Muraykh is the to UASC, when it announced the Gateway as her rst call in Europe due second of the UASC A18 class ships, unprecedented westbound shipment, to berth unavailability at Felixstowe. which are being built by Hyundai it was also the line’s highest utilisation Commenting on the record- Samho Heavy Industries in Mokpo, ABOVE The 40,488gt Gauri Prem is one to date of the eco-ef cient A18 class, breaking load, UASC Chief Operating South Korea. The 195,636 ULCC has a of a number of ships being disposed of meaning the CO2 output per TEU on Of cer Waleed Al Dawood, said: ‘We declared capacity of 18,600TEU and is by Singapore’s Mercator. this journey was more than 60 per cent are extremely proud to have achieved deployed on UASC’s AEC1 service. Victim of the storm Oman builds up eet repairs and the vessel returned CASUALTY to service at the end of January. One of the largest ships to be damaged Darren Brown, managing director of by the recent Storm Desmond was A&P Group Tyne said: ‘It was quite a taken to A&P Group’s Tyneside yard spectacle to see the storm-damaged for repairs in December 2015. The ship coming up the Tyne. We made vehicle carrier City of Rotterdam a temporary repair to the damage collided with the ro-ro cargo ship at Immingham in order for her to be Primula Seaways on the Humber able to sail to the Tyne.’ Estuary when the storm hit the north A&P Group operates seven dry of England at the end of 2015. docks across three UK locations. A&P Group’s 100-strong Tyneside The 21,143gt vehicle carrier City of team completed structural steel Rotterdam was built in 2011.

ABOVE The Oman Shipping Company is adding ten new medium-range product tankers to a fleet that already includes some heavyweights, such as the 319,901dwt VLCC Mazyonah, built in 2009. OMAN SHIPPING COMPANY

term charters to Shell International TANKERS Trading and Shipping Company Ltd by Middle East owner Oman Shipping the end of the year. Company (OSC) has taken delivery of Each of the new tankers, led by the the rst of ten medium-range (MR) 29,354gt Muscat Silver, measures 83m product tankers it had ordered from by 32.2m, and has a capacity of 37,900 South Korean builder Hyundai Mipo metric tonnes. Their delivery will bring ABOVE City of Rotterdam in A&P Hebburn dry dock on 13 January, having Dockyard at Ulsan, with all of the ships the OSC eet up to 53 units by the arrived from Immingham in December 2015. KEN SHORT expected to be working under long- beginning of 2017. JS

16 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Biggest car carriers on the Tyne Ship Canal WATERFRONT DREDGING Höegh Trigger departing the An unusual visitor became a frequent Port of Tyne for Amsterdam sight on the Manchester Ship Canal on 13 January. KEN SHORT during November and December

2015. The Netherlands- agged motor [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com hopper Deo Gloria (2,100dwt) was dredging material from the upper reaches of the Manchester Ship Canal to the Woolston Deposit grounds at Thelwall, Warrington, adjacent to the canal. The Woolston Eyes, which is a Site of Special Scienti c Interest (SSSI), aims to improve an existing nature reserve adjacent to Thelwall viaduct. Deo Gloria was built by Manche Industrie Marine in Dieppe, France in 1978 as Gansegrund and is operated by Productie Zeezund, Goes, Holland. RC month voyage saw her call at a total friendly New Horizon design which CAR CARRIER of 30 different ports. Höegh Trigger, will be delivered during the next 18 The world’s largest car carriers, which was named at a ceremony months. They are the biggest vehicle Höegh Target and Höegh Trigger, at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industries carriers in the world, with 71,400m2 of have been regular callers on the Tyne in China and was delivered on 17 deck space, enabling them to carry up since last summer. Höegh Target rst November 2015, has also called on the to 9,500 vehicles. They operate on the called on 26 August 2015 during her Tyne as part of her rotation. East Asia to Europe route. maiden voyage, which took her from The 76,400gt 14-deck vessels, The Port has invested in its facilities China, via Italy, France, Spain and the which measure 194m by 36m and are recent years, with construction work ABOVE The Netherlands-flagged Netherlands, before she arrived on 47m high, are the rst two in a series and dredging the Tyne and its berths motor hopper Deo Gloria in Irlam Lock, the Tyne for the rst time. The two- of six vessels of the environmentally- to enable the largest ships to visit. outbound on 4 December 2015 with dredged material. BRIAN COWBURN Aground on rst visit Braving the elements

Three in January 2015 when she was COASTAL TANKER owned by Marnarvi Spa, of Napoli, Confusion reigned on 10 January Italy. She was bought by Fjord when it was reported that the Italian- Shipping AS of Maaloy, Norway and agged coastal oil/chemical tanker placed under the Maltese ag in Medkem Three had grounded on November 2015, when her name was the river Ouse while she was on her changed to Nora. way to the port of Goole. The vessel, There is some shoaling reported having been renamed Nora under in the area where she grounded the Maltese ag, grounded near and, with the ship having a draught Fax eet when she was on her way to of 5.3m, there was little room for Goole with a cargo of 2,500 tonnes of error by her captain on what was rapeseed oil from Erith in Kent. her rst visit to the port. The 110m The 3,746dwt Nora was built in by 14m vessel re oated on the next 1997 at Ringkobing, Denmark as high tide and proceeded to Goole, ABOVE Shannon Fisher braves the elements as she leaves Aberdeen harbour in a Ievoli Star, and was renamed Medkem where she unloaded. RC heavy swell on 6 January after days of very heavy rain and wind. DAVID DODDS

Inverness, Scapa and Lerwick, and so WEATHER often faces inclement weather. The New Year 2016 was marked by very Her captain has a certi cate to sail severe weather and ooding all over into the near 3m swell at the piers, the UK. Particularly badly hit was the which was probably 5m further out. On port of Aberdeen, which was closed 6 January, with only a blast of rain on at times due to the heavy swell just a bitterly cold south easterly wind, she outside the harbour entrance. After put out. Built by Damen at Bergum, continuous rain and high winds for Netherlands in 2006, and operated by four days, the 5,420dwt oil products Fisher Shipping Services of Barrow in tanker Shannon Fisher decided to Furness, the Bahamas- agged vessel brave the elements and set sail. The quite easily coped with the conditions, ABOVE The coastal tanker Nora, with 2,500 tonnes of rapeseed oil destined for tanker is operated on a regular service but the incident illustrates what our Goole, is pictured aground in the river Ouse on 10 January. SIMON SMITH that links Immingham with Aberdeen, seafarers face in bad winters. RC

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 17 PRESERVATION Nick Hall

BRIEF NEWS Gladstone to open in Gladstone CUTTY SARK • Plans are being made to build a seagoing replica of the tea clipper Cutty Gladstone was three Sark. Vladimir Martus, a sailor times granted Freedom and naval architect who was of the City of Gladstone, behind the successful project in 1988, 2000, and 2007. to build a replica of Peter the Great’s agship Shtandart, says the replica Cutty Sark will be a training vessel and living museum which will also carry symbolic cargoes of tea and wool like her namesake. Major business sponsors will be sought to fund the £19-24 million project, and Martus hopes to launch Cutty Sark 2 on 22 November 2019, the 150th anniversary of the original vessel.

NAVY TUG • Fire has destroyed the 73-year-old tug yacht William B, formerly the US an access walkway. Gladstone was she sailed more than 618,000 miles. PATROL BOAT Navy tug YTL-362, in Newport built by North Queensland Engineers Affectionately known by many as Beach, California. YTL-362 was Hopes have been raised that the & Agents in Cairns in 1984 as the ‘Sadrock’, she was decommissioned in built by Puget Sound Bridge former Royal Australian Navy patrol penultimate unit of the 15-strong her home base of Cairns on 13 March and Dredge Co in Seattle and boat Gladstone will open to the public Fremantle class. 2006 and the same day was gifted to the remained in naval service until this year in her new home at East She was based in Cairns for her Gladstone Maritime History Society Inc. 1961. She was then sold to Foss Shores Parklands in her namesake entire naval career, and was employed However, plans to preserve her Tugs, renamed Roger Foss, and city. Work carried out by volunteers in sheries protection, immigration, were then put on hold as a result of operated around Puget Sound to ready her for her new role as a customs and drug law enforcement the global nancial crisis, and she until 1976, when she was sold museum ship has included cleaning, operations. These sometimes took her was stored in Gladstone Marina until again and became San Jacinto. reconnecting electrics, painting her as far as East Timor and the Solomon November 2014, when work on her ROYAL NAVY deck and superstructure, and building Islands, and during her 22½-year career preservation resumed. Rain scare for Hornet End for historic Tuhoe these can be displayed by the MV SCHOONER TuhoeKaiapoi Riverton Trust, who Little now remains of the historic have owned the ship since 2004. auxiliary schooner Tuhoe, which Tuhoe was built as a trading ran aground in the mouth of schooner for the Northern the Waimakariririver, north of Steamship Co by George Nicol in Christchurch, on 27 September 2015 Auckland in 1919 and operated Ipictured). Damage to the 96-year- around the harbours and rivers of old vessel was such that it was Northland and the Coromandel. deemed too dangerous to re oat During World War II she was taken her and she was broken up in situ. over by the Royal New Zealand Navy The ship’s steering wheel, but was then transferred to the US wheelhouse, life buoys, one mast, Army and commissioned as the small polyaspartic weather sealant to the photographs and other memorabilia supply ship ATS-132, seeing service AIRCRAFT CARRIER ight deck, which it is hoped will were removed. It is hoped that off the north-east coast of Australia. Urgent repairs are being carried out to provide a temporary solution while the Essex class aircraft carrier Hornet, long-term remedies are planned. which is preserved as a oating Hornet (CV-12) was built in Newport museum in Alameda, California. The News, and her World War II service, teak ight deck of the 73-year-old which included the Battle of the ship has cracked over time and sprung Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte multiple leaks, allowing water to seep Gulf, earned her nine battle stars and through and corrode the steelwork a Presidential Unit Citation. She later below. ‘On the days when we had big served in both the Korean and Vietnam rainstorms last year, it leaked so much wars, and in 1958 was redesignated we had to shut down the ship,’ said as an anti-submarine warfare operations manager Scott Zirger. support carrier (CVS-12). She was Contractors are carrying out decommissioned and laid up in 1969 the $800,000 project to spray a and stricken from the US Navy in 1989.

18 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news

Museum acquires historic Fairmile Mercuur WATERFRONT closed MINESWEEPER HNLMS Mercuur (A856), which has been

moored in Scheveningen as a museum [email protected] > e • 541444 01959 > t • 3AG TN16 Kent Cudham, Hill, Berry’s Barn, Tithe Cudham • www.shipsmonthly.com ship for more than 20 years, has been returned to the Royal Netherlands Navy and towed to Den Helder. The future for the wooden MSO-type ocean minesweeper is uncertain. Mercuur was built in Wisconsin in 1954 and was transferred to the Netherlands as HNLMS Onverschrokken (M856). She was converted to a torpedo recovery vessel in 1971, renamed Mercuur two years later, and remained in service until 1987. Plans to preserve her as a museum ship in Amsterdam fell RML 497 was based in the Orkneys on anti-submarine training duties for a few months in early 1944. through, and she was moved to Scheveningen in April 1993. ‘RML 497 is an amazing survivor, 62nd ML Flotilla at Portland. From early MOTOR LAUNCH full of original features and still fully 1944 she was based at Felixstowe with The future of RML 497, one of the few operational, which is incredible for a the 69th Flotilla and carried out patrols surviving World War II Fairmile B-type wooden warship built for ‘hostilities in the North Sea under Allied bomber Motor Launches, has been secured. only’ service during World War II,’ routes to recover air crew from She will join the collection of historic said Nick Hewitt, head of heritage downed RAF and USAAF aircraft. large and small craft maintained by the development at the museum. RML 497 was sold in 1946 and National Museum of the Royal Navy, RML 497 was built by Southampton spent much of her post-war career thanks largely to a £90,000 lottery Steam Joinery in 1942 as a Rescue as the passenger ferry Western hand-out supplemented by funds from Motor Launch, having an additional Lady III operating services between the National Museum and the Coastal deckhouse aft to accommodate Brixham and Torquay, and in 2013 was Forces Heritage Trust. stretcher cases, and initially joined the renamed The Fairmile. ABOVE Merkuur in Scheveningen.

The only surviving US Navy Pegasus class Lightvessel campaign patrol hydrofoil USS iron-hulled vessel fulfilling a frontline LV 72 Aries (PHM-5). role. She was named Juno and arrived A campaign has been launched to in tow off Juno Beach on 18 June save a former Trinity House light 1944 to light a safe route through a vessel which played an important part minefield, remaining on station until in the D-Day landings. LV 72 was built 27 January 1945. LV 72 subsequently by John Crown & Sons in Sunderland resumed her Trinity House career, in 1903 and measured 116ft by 24ft. and was the oldest vessel in the Her career until World War II was Corporation’s fleet when she was sold unremarkable, serving at a variety of in 1973. However, she was not broken Trinity House lightship stations. up, and now amateur historian Daniel However, the Allied invasion of Broom aims to restore the vessel and Aries flies to a new home Normandy in June 1944 saw the display it as a historic museum ship.

to service so that she can sail under LV 72 has Patrol hydrofoil her own power to naval museums as languished on the banks of USS Aries (PHM-5), the only surviving a visiting exhibit, and participate in the river Neath US Navy Pegasus class patrol hydrofoil, various waterfront festivities. since being has been moved from her long-term Aries, which was built by Boeing sold by Trinity berth on Grand River at Brunswick, Marine Systems in Renton, Washington House in 1973. Missouri. Her new home, Gasconade in 1982, is powered by two 1,600bhp shipyard in Gasconade, Missouri, 150 diesels and a single 18,000shp General miles downstream, has been acquired Electric gas turbine giving her a top by the USS Aries Hydrofoil Museum speed of 48 knots. Her 11-year naval and provides a launching ramp as well career was spent on training duties and as facilities to maintain, restore and border enforcement patrols in the Gulf display all the museum’s exhibits. of Mexico and the Caribbean. She was A 110ft by 30ft deck barge will be withdrawn from service in 1993 and used as a dock for Aries herself, and transferred to the USS Aries Hydrofoil plans are in hand to restore Aries Museum three years later.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 19 NEWS FEATURE Russell Plummer Last trips looming for RMS St Helena

when the vessel was requisitioned to serve as a Minesweeper Support Ship during the Falklands War. This St Helena continued until she was replaced by the present purpose-built vessel, which came from A&P Appledore International at the former Hall, Russell Yard in Aberdeen, and which was the last ship to be built there. Islanders, known as ‘Saints’, affectionately refer to St Helena simply as ‘RMS’, and she anchors in James Bay off Jamestown, with passengers and cargo being taken ashore by tender. She is one of just two vessels now holding ‘Royal Mail Ship’ status, the other being Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2. St Helena has a variety of cabins, ranging from tiny windowless cubicles on C Deck to more luxurious porthole accommodation on B Deck, and spacious rooms with windows on Deck A. There is a pleasant main lounge With St Helena’s sea connection ending soon, Russell Plummer looks at forward, with A Deck also offering the vessel which has provided the island’s only link with the outside world a sun lounge, bar and sun deck aft, where a gymnasium and small outside since 1989 and which is known by islanders simply as ‘RMS’. swimming pool can be found. With the foredeck utilised for final northbound voyage will leave communications equipment before containers stacked up to four high and Liner service St Helena on 24 May, reaching a still- the airport, financed by Britain at a which are handled by the ship’s twin After a successful first trial aircraft to-be-confirmed UK port on 5 June cost of £240 million, becomes fully cranes, St Helena has carried almost landing at the island’s nearly and returning on the 243rd voyage operational. From then on Comair every imaginable cargo to the island, completed airport, St Helena Line of the ship’s career via Tenerife and will provide weekly flights from from furniture and automotive parts to announced its passenger/cargo sea Ascension to reach St Helena on 3 July. Johannesburg, connecting with Christmas turkeys and sheep and goats, link with the remote British Overseas The 156-berth vessel, with 55 officers international services worldwide. including wind turbines. St Helena Protectorate in the South Atlantic and crew under contract with Bibby Line For many years Union-Castle liners even transported sailing yachts as deck will close in July. Until then, five-day (Cayman Islands), will then make a return made occasional calls at St Helena cargo from Cape Town to compete in sailings from Cape Town, some also trip to Ascension before a last crossing during voyages to and from South the Governor’s Trophy event. going on to Ascension Island, by the to Cape Town, arriving on 15 July. Africa. After this ceased in 1977, the In November 1999 St Helena broke 1989-built St Helena will continue as A Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft, small Canadian passenger and cargo down during a southbound voyage the only connection with one of the operated by TAB Charters and flying liner Northland Prince (1963/3,150gt), and was forced into the French port of world’s most remote spots. from Angola, landed in St Helena on built in Vancouver and carrying 63 Brest, leaving many people stranded There were a couple of annual 15 September 2015 and is conducting passengers, was bought to sail from on the island with no way in or out. As sailings from England for many years, an extensive series of trials to Avonmouth as the first St Helena, with islanders became concerned about the latterly from Portland, Dorset. A calibrate landing, navigation and the service only interrupted in 1982, delivery of vital supplies and goods,

St Helena anchored in the island’s James Bay using her own cranes to handle cargo.

20 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com news next on sale 18 March 2016 To subscribe issue turn to page 22

ABOVE Lying at Avonmouth in 1990 after being replaced by the present vessel, the 1963-built St Helena was renamed St Helena Island. USS NEW JERSEY the incident intensi ed calls for the The US Navy’s most decorated battleship, now provision of an airport. A year later St Helena suffered a on display at Camden New Jersey. minor engine room re in one of her twin six-cylinder Mirlees diesels while she was sailing from Cardiff to Tenerife PROFILE: SCOTLINE on the rst leg of her journey to the ABOVE Containers being loaded In island, but there were no injuries or James Bay from waiting barges. signi cant damage. When there were October events for the 200th anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte’s arrival at the start of her second spell in exile, which lasted until his death in 1821, St Helena was en route to Cape Town. But the occasion was marked by a four-day visit from Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster and ABOVE Looking aft, St Helena’s pool Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Gold Rover, and sun deck. which was on a nal deployment after 40 years of replenishing Royal Navy Pro le of Scotline, the shortsea operator which started vessels around the world. carrying logs from Inverness to Varberg in 1979 and which Her time at St Helena marked the today has a small eet of specialised coasters. completion of two-thirds of a nine- month commission for HMS Lancaster. Clyde-built in 1992, she had then A CRUISE AROUND travelled more than 24,000 miles, with 14 ports visited on four continents. THE BRITISH ISLES With her crew wearing new style uniforms and the vessel being the rst in the Royal Navy to carry a Wildcat helicopter, HMS Lancaster visited a ABOVE St Helena’s funnel with crown further seven countries before she symbol marking the vessel’s ‘Royal Mail eventually returned to Plymouth. Ship’ status.

St Helena leaving Falmouth ST HELENA for the first time, having OPERATOR St Helena Line – taken on stores, heading for Andrew Weir Group Cardiff, October 1990, prior to BUILT 1989, A&P Appledore making her maiden voyage on International 15 November 1990. JON BENNETT (Aberdeen) Taking a cruise around the British Isles has become DIMENSIONS 105m x 32m x 6m increasingly popular and David Brown’s trip on Royal TONNAGE 6,767gt, 310 net MAIN ENGINES 2 x Mirlees 6K Major Princess provided a ne opportunity to see Britain and diesels (6,532kW) Ireland’s maritime shipping scene. PROPELLERS Twin controllable pitch propellers SPEED 16.5 knots (trials), 15 PLUS DAZZLE CAMOFLAGE • Dene knots (service) Bebbington explains how an artist helped to reduce CAPACITY 156 passengers with 56 of cers and crew shipping losses during World War I. CARGO 1,800 tonnes FLAG UK (reg. London) LIVERPOOL PILOTS • In July the Liverpool pilots will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Liverpoolwww.shipsmonthly.com pilotage service. • April 2016 • 21 HOW TO BUY YOUR SUBSCRIPTION OFFER 1. DIGITAL EDITION: pktmags.com/shipsmonthly OFFER 2. PRINT EDITION: COMPLETE THEORDERFORM BELOW

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3EASY WAYS TO ORDER CRIBERS ALL PRINT MAGAZINE SUBS ONLINE ERS OF ARE AUTOMATICALLY MEMB YOU: 1 SUBSCRIBER PLUS, GIVING shop.kelsey.co.uk/smo deventsand products Preferential rates on ourassociate POST oducts to choose from Aconstantly refreshedrange of pr 2 Fill in the form and send to: FREEPOST RTKZ-HYRL-CCZX, sonother Kelsey titles Ships Monthly Subscriptions, Kelsey Publishing Ltd., Cudham Tithe Firstaccess to subscription offer rite brands Barn, Berry’sHill, Cudham, Kent, TN16 3AG Exclusivediscountsonyourfavou titions Free entry intosubscriberonlycompe CALL OUR SUBSCRIPTION TEAM 3 0333 043 9848 "e offer code SMOP0416 elsey.co.uk/subscriberplus Hotline open:Mon -Fri 8am -6pm. Please notethat calls arecharged at shop.k your local rate, for further informationpleasecheck with your serviceprovider. ROYAL PRINCESS A groundbreaking ship

manufactured on a production Royal Princess joins the line before being brought to the Pacific Princess in the yard for installation. Princess Cruises fleet. In February 1984, ten months after the fi rst section was laid, Royal Princess was ready to be fl oated out of the building shed. She was towed to the fi tting- out complex, where she spent the next eight months. During this period many of the most complicated aspects of building a cruise ship were carried out and completed, including the sea trials. At this fi tting-out stage the ship’s operational offi cers were assembled to prepare their ship to enter service. Preparing for cruising n a dull, damp In accordance with Finnish the whole ship. On completion The offi cers had three separate day at the end maritime tradition, on 12 May of the steelwork, the ship is offi ces in P&O’s technical of October 1983 a British one pound coin, fl oated out and taken to the building in Southampton. 1984, P&O together with one coin of every fi tting-out berth for the fi nal Senior Engineer offi cers Princess Cruises value in the Finnish currency, stages of the work. had been involved since the Otook delivery of the 45,000gt, was placed in the building dock For Royal Princess 200 keel-laying and main engine 1,260-passenger cruise ship before the keel was laid and units were prefabricated and building. The deck offi cers and Royal Princess from the Wärtsilä construction offi cially began. transported to the building dock. the hotel offi cers arrived seven Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, Royal Princess was built by Wärtsilä’s building dock was months before delivery. The where she was built, and she the modern method of building enclosed in a huge shed capable deck offi cers’ fi rst task was to sailed for Southampton. It was in prefabricated sections. This of housing a ship 240m in length. establish a relationship with the two years and eight-and-a-half involved preparing the steel The 300-ton sections were fi tted UK Department of Trade and months after the signing of the and assembling it in sections, out with much of their pipework Industry (DTI) surveyors, as the contract between P&O and which are then blasted clean and and machinery put in place ship was to be registered in the Wärtsilä on 15 February 1982 painted before being transported before they were joined together. UK. The priority was to prepare by the time the ship set off. to the dry building dock to form Even the bathrooms were an emergency muster list

24 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com CRUISE SHIP

Royal Princess departing Southampton. MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHIC

ABOVE Sun deck midships completed. The raised area, for additional deck loungers, is the housing for the ship’s elevator machinery.

ABOVE The lido deck, the main pool area, after completion.

Laboratory near Copenhagen. Here they practised handling the controls and manoeuvring David Brown describes the design and building process for P&O the ship on their simulator, on Princess Cruises’ 1,260-passenger cruise ship Royal Princess, which the ship’s propulsion and physical design characteristics, delivered in October 1984 from the Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard. together with information on selected ports and weather conditions, were programmed. The simulator training was acceptable to the Department hosted by Knud E. Hansen, and, once this was accepted, to the naval architects, and during then lay out a plan to train over this visit their renowned 500 crew and their reliefs. hydrodynamic naval architect In order to do this, the ship’s Herr Rasmussen stated Royal plans were closely scrutinised Princess would achieve 23.3 and visits made to the ship knots on her trials. All the to see the layout. The hotel deck offi cers spent a week at offi cers had to organise the the Kelvin Hughes simulators, hotel staff, numerically the becoming familiar with the largest department in the ship, radars being fi tted in the ship. so that they could provide the Crew training continued in service expected by the future the months leading to delivery, passengers. They also had the until all the crew of nearly 600 task of arranging the berthing and their reliefs were ready to for the whole crew, apart from operate the ship on her delivery. the four stripe offi cers, whose accommodation was already ABOVE Royal Princess at full speed making a hard turn to starboard on a ROYAL PRINCESS designated. The Deputy Purser voyage from the Helsinki shipyard to Southampton. LAUNCHED 18.2.1984, christened in charge of this task chose for 15.11.1984, maiden himself the largest of the senior galley and service equipment. offi cers were present for voyage 19.11.1984 offi cers’ cabins. Unwittingly, Both Agencies were invited the lifeboat drop tests and BUILT Wärtsilä Helsinki not being a technical person, by the builders to inspect the drove the twin-screw tenders. Shipyard, Finland, his cabin of choice was above ship in the yard, so that any Engineer offi cers were present yard no.464 the bow thrusters, so he and his required alterations could be for the technical equipment DIMENSIONS 230.61m x 29.6m x successors lived with the extra addressed before inspection checks. Hotel offi cers checked 7.8m noise for nearly three decades. at the fi rst US port. The galley and bar equipment. TONNAGE 44,348gt, 5,580dwt Royal Princess was built designated ship’s offi cers Then came the training. primarily for the US market accompanied them during The technical offi cers MAIN ENGINES 4 × Wärtsilä 12V32, and two additional government these inspections. underwent extensive training combined 27,840kW agencies were involved: the As the fi tting-out programmes set up by the SPEED 22 knots US Coast Guard, who check progressed, the offi cers manufacturers and suppliers CAPACITY 8 passenger decks, the safety plans of all ships became increasingly involved in the UK, Europe and also in 1,260 passengers, 537 embarking passengers in US as more equipment, such the builder’s yard. The senior crew ports, and the US Public as lifeboats and other safety deck offi cers spent a week LATER NAMES 2005–2011: Artemis Health Service, which checks systems, was fi tted. The deck at the Danish Ship Research Since 2011: Artania

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 25 Royal Princess joins the Princess Cruises fleet in January 1985 at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, together with Pacific Princess and Island Princess. PRINCESS CRUISES PHOTO.

ABOVE Royal Princess departing Wärtsilä Shipyard, Helsinki, with the men and women who built the ship watching and waving farewell.

Before being delivered to Space operation. To acquire P&O Princess, Royal Princess was this certifi cation, in addition ABOVE Full speed run on sea trials in the Gulf of Finland. Teak decks are still being put through her paces in two to having SOLAS-mandated laid and rails are uncapped. sea trials, the fi rst in June and equipment, a test was required the second in September. At which involved manoeuvring these trials, builders and owners the ship for a specifi c number got the feel of the vessel, of hours from the navigating all equipment was tried and bridge with no action from the proved, adjustments made and Engine Control Room (ECR). manoeuvring tests completed. While this test was carried Vibration and acoustic checks out, during the trials the ECR were carried out in all areas of was monitored by technical the ship at both full speed and personnel. It is worth noting when manoeuvring. that, in all her years in P&O During these sea trials Princess Cruises’ service, the naval architect Rasmussen’s ship never operated with an prediction of speed was unmanned machinery space. confi rmed, to the tenth of a knot. The days at sea on trials Ready for service did not slow down the fi tting- The day fi nally arrived for out process. Teak was laid on P&O to take over the ship, ABOVE The navigating bridge of the 1981-built Silja Line Baltic ferry Finlandia. This the open decks; teak cappings and the crew went aboard. was different from the more traditional bridge on Royal Princess. were fi tted on rails; outside The previous ten days had seen metal decks were prepared for them living on the chartered AstroTurf to be glued; and, 1966-built ferry Fennia, internally, carpets were laid and berthed in the Wärtsilä shipyard cabin interiors assembled. near Royal Princess. The run While they were impressed from Helsinki to Southampton with the ship as a whole, one on their new ship provided the disappointment for some fi rst opportunity for the crew navigating offi cers was the to familiarise themselves with navigating bridge. It had the the ship in operation, and in a most up-to-date navigational few short days Royal Princess equipment, but in comparison arrived in Southampton and to the layout of the latest Baltic joined the P&O fl eet, berthing cruise ferries had something of with Canberra. a 1960s look. The layout was to The fi nal act in the whole a P&O design. process was the naming ABOVE The 1966-built ferry Fennia, berthed in the Wärtsilä shipyard, was used as The ship was also certifi cated ceremony, which took place an accommodation ship for the ship’s crew during the construction process. for Unattended Machinery on 15 November 1984, with

26 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com CRUISE SHIP

ABOVE The author in the Captain’s not-yet-completed accommodation.

ABOVE Wärtsilä Shipyard’s Trials Master and assistant fitting the magnetic compass.

ABOVE Full speed, hard over test to port, checking the ship’s heel during the ship’s trial.

the honours being undertaken low pressure systems, and she by Diana, Princess of Wales. arrived in Miami a day late. In Royal Princess sailed a few days the US she joined the Princess later to Miami, starting her Cruises fl eet, and thus Royal ABOVE Looking forward on the fi rst cruise with fare-paying Princess, a ship of many fi rsts, ABOVE The after end of the completed completed starboard Promenade passengers, although numbers designed to take P&O Princess Lido Deck looking forward. deck, ready for passengers. were purposely limited to 800. Cruises into the 21st century, It was not a smooth crossing, began her illustrious 27-year BELOW Royal Princess cruising through the Panama Canal, showing her pristine as the ship encountered three service with the company. upper decks. PRINCESS CRUISES PHOTO

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 27 Horn of Africa. As a result, fl eets had to be restructured to meet new missions. One of the most adventurous in this regard was the Royal Netherlands Navy, which acquired a new class of large and highly sophisticated patrol vessels, the Holland class, for long-distance policing missions. The aim was to Conrad Waters looks at the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Holland class ships, produce a warship that, while the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of Offshore Patrol Vessels. not intended for high-intensity combat, had capabilities ideal he end of the Cold As it happened, the collapse economic importance of assets for a maritime policing role. War a quarter of a of the bi-polar world order, such as fi sheries and offshore oil century ago had a maintained by the stand- and gas fi elds, also meant there Holland class origins major impact on off between NATO and was a need to police territorial The Holland class traces its many European the Warsaw Pact, brought waters more effectively. origins to a 2005 Naval Study navies,T most of which had increased instability and new A major problem posed by that aimed to achieve the been confi gured to combat requirements for naval forces, this changed environment optimum structure for the potential Soviet aggression – to with new threats from piracy, was that many of the warships future Dutch fl eet. The Royal hunt submarines in the North terrorism or disorder in ‘failed designed during the Cold War Netherlands Navy had already Atlantic, sweep mines from states’ rather than the actions were not well suited for new shrunk signifi cantly since the the entrances to major ports, of a hostile naval responsibilities. For example, an end of the Cold War. However, or resist amphibious landings power. The expensive anti-submarine frigate the ten frigates that formed in the Baltic and Norway. The expansion was, perhaps, not the best ship the core of the surface fl eet elimination of these threats of maritime to use chasing pirates off the were not particularly suitable almost overnight meant that borders, and for the constabulary and these fl eets needed a new role. the growing stabilisation missions the navy

HNLMS Holland (P840) at sea. The class are superbly equipped for their primary constabulary and stabilisation missions in lower threat environments. THALES NEDERLAND

28 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com FOREIGN NAVY

was increasingly required to for a further 40 specialists, perform, so it was decided to such as a Special Forces team sell four of these ships. or a helicopter detachment. In The resulting savings helped addition, possible use in disaster to fund the acquisition of a recovery or other humanitarian new joint support ship, which operations is catered for could undertake amphibious by provision of temporary operations in littoral waters, as accommodation for up to 100 well as four new patrol vessels. evacuees. The standard of The new ‘patrouilleschepen’ the permanent cabins is very would be particularly well- high, with most crew housed suited for patrolling the Dutch in spacious two-berth units. Exclusive Economic Zone In contrast to previous Dutch (EEZ) in the North Sea and the warships, offi cers and crew Caribbean. They would also be share the same dining facilities, used to support international although separate recreational peace-keeping missions. areas are provided. The ABOVE The Royal Netherlands Navy decided to restructure its navy so that there The new ships were unlike combination of a relatively large were fewer frigates like Tromp (left) and more ships to support stabilisation any warships previously ship with a small crew gives the missions, like the new joint support ship Karel Doorman (right). The Holland class operated by the Royal ships a very spacious feel. were developed as part of this restructuring. ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY Netherlands Navy and required The minimal crewing does, a new design approach. In however, mean that there are addition to the core aim of fewer personnel than on a creating a ship optimised for traditional warship to carry out low-intensity naval operations, essential functions. This has there was a desire to reduce been counterbalanced by the operating costs. This resulted use of considerable automation, in many labour-saving devices including a sophisticated to help minimise crew size. An platform management system important political aim was that includes use of handheld to support the Dutch marine personal digital assistants sector by utilising innovative (PDAs) to advise relevant crew technologies developed in the of potential problems when off Netherlands. duty. The bridge is capable of The resulting design has one-person operation, although produced a large ship: full the navy typically maintains two load displacement of 3,750 sailors on duty. tons is around 500 tons more The propulsion system is than the frigates the Holland a combined diesel or electric class has replaced. This is arrangement. Two MAN diesels partly a refl ection of the use of linked to a Renk gearbox civilian construction standards, provide the main means of as commercial vessels tend propulsion through twin shafts. to use heavier grade steels. However, a secondary power However, the need to cross the take-in arrangement – under North Atlantic to operate in which two ABB electrical the Caribbean and to deploy motors powered by the ship’s globally on peace-keeping electrical system are connected operations were also important to the gearboxes – provides considerations. The bridge more effi cient low-speed ABOVE The offshore patrol vessel Holland on trials in the North Sea in December and accommodation areas are operation. This is particularly 2011. The four Holland class ships patrol the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone, as positioned as far from the bow helpful if a ship is, for example, well as the seas off the Dutch territories in the Caribbean. THALES NEDERLAND as possible to help operations loitering in a patrol area. Overall in bad weather, while an range is in excess of 5,000 internal slipway under the nautical miles at 15 knots, while helicopter deck allows boats to a maximum speed of 22 knots be launched and recovered in has been achieved on trials. conditions up to sea state fi ve. In line with their non- The fl ight deck and hangar warfi ghting role, the Holland are large enough to handle class ships are equipped with the NH-90 medium-sized only a modest armament. The helicopters currently entering Italian company Oto Melara Dutch service. There is a large has provided the bulk of crane capable of handling the weapons systems. These standard containers, for which comprise a 76mm Oto Melara dedicated spaces are provided. Compact gun in ‘A’ position, ABOVE The lead Holland class offshore patrol vessel operating in the Caribbean Holland and her sisterships a 30mm Oto Melara Marlin with the US Coast Guard in June 2013, during which a cocaine shipment with an can be operated by a core crew immediately forward of the estimate value of US$24 million was seized. The Holland class were designed to of just 50 sailors. However, bridge, and two 12.7mm Oto carry out long-range policing missions. US NAVY living quarters are provided Melara Hitrole machine guns,

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 29 the latter arranged so as to give rest of the ship and simply bolted near 360-degree coverage. on when complete. Important The ability to embark a advantages claimed for the helicopter provides considerable structure are the avoidance of additional flexibility, while there interference between sensors, are two RHIBs for search and more efficient manufacture, boarding operations. Blast- and much easier maintenance. resistant bulkheads and physical Sensitive electronic equipment armour provide protection is not left exposed to the against threats such as attack by elements in the same way as it is lightly-armed pirates. However, on a conventional mast. there is no provision for the The sensors installed in the expensive shock resistant I-Mast include Thales’ SMILE features and multiple damage volume surveillance radar for control zones found on medium-range searches out frontline warships. to 250km, and the SEASTAR In contrast to the light surface-search radar used to armament, the provision of detect small surface objects sensors is comprehensive. These at shorter ranges. The latter, are largely housed in one of for example, could be used to the most visually prominent detect a small boat or – even – a features – the pyramid-like swimmer. Both are fixed four- Thales integrated mast or faced arrays similar to the US I-Mast, located immediately Navy’s SPY-1 radar associated aft the bridge. The I-Mast is a with its Aegis system, using separate, air-tight module that software-controlled beams to incorporates all the ship’s major carry out a range of searches. radars, other surveillance systems There is also a Gatekeeper and communications equipment. electro-optical surveillance It is fabricated separately to the system that utilises infrared and colour TV cameras to BELOW The Thales IM-400 integrated supplement the radars. The mast is a dominant feature of mast also houses an integrated the Holland class. A satellite communications system and communications antenna is housed in an identification friend or foe a dome at the head of the mast, with (IFF) antenna. The overall a cylindrical IFF array below. Radar combination provides a more arrays and transmitting/receiving effective surveillance capability panels for communications are than that found in many mounted flush with the mast’s sides. The external view (right) shows the Integrated mast on Friesland. Royal Netherlands Navy/Author ABOVE Holland off the Dutch coast in 2012. An emphasis on good seakeeping in conditions found in the North Atlantic is reflected in the positioning of the bridge and accommodation areas towards the middle of the ship. Royal Netherlands Navy

frontline frigates. installed. This necessitated The four a return to the facility at ships in the Vlissingen to complete the Holland class relatively straightforward were ordered integration process. The third from Dutch- ship, HNLMS Friesland, was based Damen actually commissioned before Schelde Naval her mast was installed. Shipbuilding in December 2007. Operational Service Two were built at the Although the lead ship, Vlissingen yard in the HNLMS Holland, has been in Netherlands but, to save costs commission for less than four and speed completion, the years, the four ships of the class second pair was assembled at are already proving their worth. the sister Damen group yard Following commissioning, in Galati, Romania. All were they first completed lengthy delivered between May 2011 work-up periods specifically and January 2013. tailored to their intended role. The separate construction These included training with of the more complex I-Masts the British Flag Officer Sea meant that delivery took Training (FOST) organisation place before the masts were at Devonport.

30 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com FOREIGN NAVY

Holland Class OPVs Ships Holland (P840) (commissioned 6.7.2012), Zeeland (P841) (23.8.2013), Friesland (P842) (22.1.2013), Groningen (P843) (29.11.2013) Builders Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding: Vlissingen (P840, P841); Galati (P842, P843) Displacement 3,750 tons full load Dimensions 108.4m x 16.0m x 4.6m Armament 1 x 76mm Oto Melara Compact, 1 x 30mm Oto Melara Marlin, 2 x 12.7mm Oto Melara Hitrole machine guns, hangar and flight deck for 1 x medium-sized helicopter Protection Blast resistant bulkheads; armour of key areas against small calibre weapons & rocket-propelled grenades Sensors Thales IM-400 integrated mast housing radar and IR/TV sensors. Navigation radar Propulsion Combined diesel or electric (CODOE), 2 x MAN 12V28/33 diesels, 2 x ABB electric motors & 1 x ABB bow thruster SPEED 22 knots; range 5,000 nautical miles at 15 knots Complement Core crew of 50; permanent accommodation for 40 more personnel; austere accommodation for up to 100 evacuees

LEFT The Holland class offshore patrol vessels Zeeland and Groningen with other Dutch constabulary assets in the Caribbean for a photographic exercise. Each of the four Holland class ships has already served as the local Dutch guard ship for the country’s territories in the region. Royal Netherlands Navy

Subsequent operational Atalanta, off the Horn of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s use has encompassed the Africa. The three-month decision, as a result of the 2005 normal round of national and mission between September Naval Study, to focus part of its NATO exercises, as well as the and November 2015 saw the relatively small fleet on second- guardship duties in the Dutch ship conducting a number of line policing duties. Caribbean territories. The anti-piracy patrols and training The resulting ships are, effectiveness of their design with Seychelles maritime arguably, the best-equipped has already been demonstrated forces. A notable role was the vessels that could be devised by a number of successful provision of protection to the for this role. Some critics rescue missions and narcotics United Nations-chartered have countered that they are ABOVE The Holland class are designed interceptions in the region. vessel Kestrel, which has been expensive and inflexible given to undertake boarding operations Perhaps a sterner test of the involved in bolstering the their unsuitability for higher in poor weather, with an internal class’s abilities has been the local economy by installing threat environments. However, slipway under the flight deck allowing inaugural deployment of the fish aggregating devices off this rather misses the point of small boats to be safely launched and fourth and final member of Somalia’s coast. the initial intention, and the recovered. Royal Netherlands Navy the class, HNLMS Groningen, The Holland class represents Holland class is, quite simply, on the European Union’s a very interesting warship the Rolls-Royce of current anti-piracy mission, Operation design concept resulting from offshore patrol vessels.

Friesland seem departing Portsmouth Harbour in November 2014. The ships have been kept busy in support of national, NATO and European Union tasking since completion. Author

ABOVE The fourth and final Holland class ship, HNLMS Groningen, berthed at the Dutch naval base at Den Helder in June 2015. Author

ABOVE Holland on trials. Ships of the class were unlike any previous warships operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy. Thales Nederland

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 31 SHIPS IN FOCUS For servicewith asmile RECORD 62 Record 62 includes: Christen Smith’sheavy SHIPS IN FOCUS PUBLICATIONS lift ships (part 2), Bought John and Marion Clarkson 18 Franklands, Longton, on the stocks (Silver Line, Clan etc), Gulf Shipping’s Preston PR4 5PD Phone01772 612855 fleet (part 1), Chepstow’s Aselectedrange of maritime books fromqualitypublishers economical postal charges securepacking standard ship building prompt service. Payment must accompany allordersand from overseas must be in Sterling with cheques yards, Ship Ashore -very early shipwreck payable to Ships in Focus. Remittances can be made by Maestro, Switch,Mastercard, Visa/Delta. We require photos, Cargo ships supporting the British card number,valid from andexpiry dates,last3figuresofsecurity code and customer’s name as on card. We Pacific fleet and South West Scenes - also acceptpayment by PayPal. Orders accepted by phone if payment by creditcard or PayPal.Postage:UK Falmouth (part 1) s/b 64pp £8.50 plus orders up to £20 add £2.00, £20-£50add £3.50, over £50.00 free. Overseas orders by seamail:Europe/North postage £1.50 UK. £2.50 elsewhere. America 15% of totalcost of books,elsewhere 20%, both with aminimum of £4.50. Airmail at cost. Back issues 2to11£3.00 each, 12 to 33 £3.50 5% discount on all orders placed through our website each,35to50£3.75 each plusp&p www.shipsinfocus.com OPEN DAYS BLUE STAR LINE RIX SHIPPING will be held at 18, Franklands from AFleet History GAtkinson and JRix 10.00 am to 3.30 pm on Tony Atkinson A hardback bookwith 96 pages and 2nd April 2016 Available direct from priced at £27.50‘RixShipping’may 7th May 2016 Ships in Focus at special be obtaineddirect fromourselves, This year we will not be present at any price 0f £30.00 plus the publishers at £23.00 plus post ‘‘Ship Shows’’ £3.50 post and packing andpacking £3.50 (UK)or£4.50 for reasons beyond our control UK, £4.50 elsewhere elsewhere. ROSYTH DOCKYARD AND AWORK OF TITANS A DAZZLE-PAINTED SHIPS OF NAVALBASETHROUGH History of the Swan WORLD WAR1 Glyn LEvans TIME Walter Burt photos Hunter Floating Cranes illustrated s/b £9.95 with captions s/b 96pp £14.99 Titan, Titan II and TitanIII Brian Newman illustrated THE with drawings, photos etc. LIFEBOAT s/b 104pp £15.00 SERVICE IN ENGLAND SHIPS FOR ALL NATIONS –THE SOUTH WEST John Brown and Company, COASTERS OF THE 1970’S PART 1 AND BRISTOL CHANNEL Clydebank Ian Johnston Bernard McCall 80pp h/b £17.00 STATION BY STATION fantastic collection of photos Nicholas Leach many h/b 384pp £40.00 our price THE SECOND WORLD WAR photos s/b 160pp £15.55 £37.50 AT SEA IN PHOTOGRAPHS –1942 Phil Carradice s/b ELDERS AND FYFFES 128pp £14.99 APhotographicHistory Campbell McCutcheon SEAFORTH WORLD EVENTFUL photos, captions 128pp NAVALREVIEW VOYAGE HMS s/b £19.99 (reprint of 2016 Conrad Waters ARLANZA 2010 publication butnow h/b £30.00 1915-1916 Leading Signalman landscapeformat 128pp s/b £19.99 Jerry Driscoll requisitioned, CUNARD-WHITE STAR mined, stuck in ice and THE UNION CASTLE LINERS OF THE 1930S repaired A4 s/b 94pp £10.50 LINE SAILING LIKE William HMiller colour CLOCKWORK &black and white s/b JACKS OF ALL TRADES Mike Roussell and 128pp £19.99 (reprinted) Operational Sam Warwick uses Records of TONClass information,diariesand Minesweepers &Minehunters GREATPASSENGER photos previouslyunseen, –acompanion volume to SHIPS 1930-1940 illustratedincolour and black and white brief , William HMiller colour Last of the Wooden Walls fleetlist 192pp h/b £25.00 and black and white s/b illustrated s/b 134pp £12.50 96pp £19.99 BRITISH WARSHIPS AND SEALINK AUXILIARIES2016 The AND BEFORE Hendy, complete guide to the ships Merrigan and Peter and aircraft of the fleet, Steve GATEWAY TO THE photographic journey around Bush s/b 120pp £8.99 WORLD, THE PORT Sealink’sBritish regions h/b OF NEWYORK in 160pp £21.95 colour photographs William HMillers/b 128pp £19.99 THE LONG SILENCE FALLS HOSPITAL SHIPS AND VOLUME 2 The Life and TROOP TRANSPORTS THE BRITISH BATTLESHIP Times of the Merchant Navy OF THE FIRST WORLD Radio Officer 1900-2000 WAR Campbell 1906-1946 Norman McCutcheon excellent collection of photos Friedman illustrated with lightlyillustrateds/b 376pp s/b 128pp £19.99 photos diagrams and fold-out £25.00 Volume 1 £25.00, Vols plans h/b 448pp £45.00 1and 2 £45.00 the pair SPLIETHOFF Volume 1, 1945-1977 illustrated fleet list h/b £21.00 DOCKERS -THE 1995 Classic Liners SS also WALING VANGEEST TO 1998 LIVERPOOL NIEUW AMSTERDAM and THE GEEST LINE LOCK-OUT Dave Andrew Britton s/b 120pp £21.00 Sinclair s/b £17.50 £19.99 TM SHIP OF THE Nordstjernen MONTH Diamond anniversary for liner that harks back to another era

2016 marks the 60th anniversary for Nordstjernen, Nordstjernen was completed by the the still active former Hurtigruten liner, which has Blohm + Voss shipyard enjoyed a fine career, as Peter Knego recalls. in 1956. PHOTO COURTESY OF HURTIGRUTEN n icy chill nipped newly varnished decks glistened our cheeks as the in a series of ever-changing, Polarcirkel craft spectacular backdrops. sped towards the Life on board this quaint but snow-covered unique little liner harks back to Ashores of Spitsbergen’s what sea travel was once like. Liedefjorden. As fellow When not off on landings to travellers anticipated their explore one of Earth’s remote ﬁ rst zodiac-style landing regions, her guests would since departing the port of content themselves with gazing Longyearbyen the previous at the passing scenery, reading, afternoon, I gazed back in awe conversing with other like- at the wondrous, black-hulled minded cruisers and, perhaps, ship that brought us to such a playing a game of cards. remote, glacial place. Remarkably, in addition For any maritime to the fact that Nordstjernen enthusiast, Nordstjernen is a is without a pool, spa and dreamy apparition; from her gimmick-laden attractions, she Nordstjernen in an early Bergen Line postcard view. PETER KNEGO COLLECTION. long, graceful bow to her lacks some of the most basic low superstructure, well- features taken for granted in proportioned funnel, towering modern sea travel, such as masts and cruiser spoon stern, stabilisers, air-conditioning and she beckons from another time. private facilities in every cabin. For the next two days, Fortunately, even without such Nordstjernen would ply the attributes, Nordstjernen ﬁ lls deep fjords and rocky coastline a void for those who prefer of Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s cruising the old-fashioned largest island. In the perpetual way. In 2016, when she sunlight, her fresh paint and celebrates her 60th birthday,

In the summer of 2016 the classic Nordstjernen will be cruising in Spitsbergen under charter to former owners Hurtigruten. ALL PHOTOS BY PETER KNEGO UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 33 Nordstjernen Nordstjernen Built 1956, Blohm + Voss, Hamburg (hull 767) Dimensions 264ft 11in x 41ft 4in x 14ft 9in Tonnage 2,191gt PASSENGERS Original: 450 passengers (192 in first and tourist class cabins); current: 292 on coastal service, 150 cruising service Crew 27 Machinery Original: B&W diesel, single screw Current: MaK diesel, single screw SPEED 15.5 knots

ABOVE Nordstjernen’s tripod mast.

ABOVE Nordstjernen at Longyearbyen.

TIMELINE 1954 Ordered by Bergen Line 1956 Completed by Blohm + Voss, Hamburg 1979 Sold to Troms Fylkes 1983 Renovated and re-engined 2006 Transferred to Hurtigruten Group 2012 Sold to Vestland Classic and given NOK 2.5 million refit 2012 Given ‘protected’ status From the perspective by Norwegian Directorate for of one of her Polarcirkel Cultural Heritage zodiacs, the immaculately 2016 Celebratingrestored 60th Nordstjernen year of is service an impressive sight. she will enjoy a busy diamond Nordstjernen calls at replaced with much larger, anniversary full of charters, remote anchorages more modern ships, although including another season of on her Spitsbergen the popular Nordstjernen cruising in Spitsbergen for her itineraries. soldiered on, diverting to former owners Hurtigruten. Svalbard cruising in the summertime. In 2006 A historic service Nordstjernen changed liveries In 1954 Bergen Steamship again when the last two Company (Det Bergenske independent companies, OVDS Dampskibsselskab) placed (Ofotens and Vesteraalens, the order for a new ship at which had previously merged) Hamburg’s Blohm + Voss and Troms Fylkes merged to shipyard. Founded in 1851, form the current Hurtigruten the Company had established a Group. Further renovations to North Sea ferry operation and the ship, including the addition worldwide cargo services, and of the Polarcirkel landing craft, gave us one of the fi rst purpose- have been ongoing ever since. built cruise ships, the yacht-like It is unlikely any ship will Stella Polaris of 1927. ever beat her Hurtigruten Nordstjernen (meaning service record of 56 years, ‘North Star’) would be part of which came to a close in 2012, the Norwegian state-sponsored when she was sold to her Hurtigruten (‘Express Route’) were only accessible by sea. were loaded and unloaded with current owners, Bergen-based fl eet, comprised of ships Completed in 1956, she was a modern crane, rather than via Vestland Classic. After a 2.5 owned by four companies, basically a modifi ed version of traditional masts and boons. On million Norwegian Kroner refi t that, in addition to Bergen, Bergen’s Nordlys and Polarlys northbound voyages, she tended at Gdansk, Poland, the ship included Tromso-based of 1951-2, both of which were to carry cars, construction was given protected status by Troms Fylkes, Narvik-based evolutions of similar, pre-war materials and food supplies, and the Norwegian Directorate For Ofotens Dampskibsselskab and vessels. Slightly slower than on the southbound voyages fi sh Cultural Heritage. Stokmarknes-based Vesteraalens her fl eetmates, the 2,191gt was primarily the cargo. Dampskibsselskab. The ships Nordstjernen was originally In 1979, when Bergen Line Cruising service provided daily departures from powered by a B&W diesel that sold its Hurtigruten division to She emerged from the shipyard Bergen to a northern terminus drove her variable pitch single screw Troms Fylkes, Nordstjernen’s with her hull and superstructure at Kirkenes, linking up to 40 at a service speed of 15.5 knots. funnel livery changed from repainted, her teak decking and ports on an 11-night, 2,500- She carried up to 450 Bergen’s black-with-three- caprails completely restored, mile round-trip voyage. passengers, 192 in both fi rst stripes to Troms Fylkes’ black, new wiring (including the Like her fl eetmates, and tourist class cabins, many white and red. In 1983 she addition of wi-fi in some public Nordstjernen made multiple of which were interchangeable. was re-engined with a more spaces) and an overhaul of her stops, day and night, some A working class liner, she had powerful MaK diesel and, over machinery. Once again sporting lasting only the few minutes an ice-strengthened bow and the years, her accommodation her original Bergen Line livery, needed to quickly exchange an aluminium superstructure was partially modernised with the ship now alternates between passengers, mail and cargo, that, due to its lightweight the addition of private facilities service as a fl oating hotel and before heading to the next construction, helped compensate in more cabins. charter cruising. port. For most of her patrons, for her lack of stabilisers. During the 1990s most Nordstjernen’s target she provided an essential means The ship’s long foredeck of the surviving traditional demographic is elderly but of transport between ports that concealed two cargo holds that Hurtigruten vessels were active and well-to-do passengers, primarily hailing from Germany and Norway, with a sprinkling of Brits, Australians, Canadians and the occasional American. Without an elevator and specially-equipped cabins, she is not recommended Nordstjernen calls at the for disabled travellers. Ukrainian/Russian mining After an adventure-fi lled town of Barentsburg in three nights exploring the Spitsbergen. remote beauty of Spitsbergen, I disembarked Nordstjernen in Longyearbyen on a cloudy morning. Several hours later, as the sun made a cameo appearance, I returned to witness this enduring liner sail off with a new complement of passengers into the neighbouring Isfjord. Unlike most ships of her era, Nordstjernen is still very much alive and relevant on the eve of her seventh decade of uninterrupted service. • Special thanks to Anthony Cooke.

36 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com SHIP OF THE MONTH

Nordstjernen departs Longyearbyen on Tuesdays and Fridays on her summertime sailings from Spitsbergen.

Deck by deck • On board Nordstjernen

ABOVE Nordstjernen’s wheelhouse is ABOVE Installed in 1983, Nordstjernen’s ABOVE The fantail on aft Lounge Deck ABOVE The traditionally appointed forward open for visitors when conditions permit. MaK diesel drives her single screw. features beautifully restored teak decking. lounge is a comfortable space.

ordstjernen has ve passenger is lined in teak panelling that features shop and snack bar. Even though the Deck B is mostly accommodation, decks, including the uppermost a ‘merhorse’ carving, it is another space has been largely modernised, as is the aft portion of Deck A, NBridge Deck, which features impressive vintage space. it features a display of Bergen Line with its ‘train compartment’ style open teak decks that stretch aft from In the Hall’s aft portion, a staircase artefacts, crockery and silverware. upper/lowers without facilities. Even the wheelhouse and of cers’ quarters leads up to Bridge Deck and, on either The former tourist class Lounge, Nordstjernen’s largest cabins are small to a terrace overlooking the stern. side, doors open into the Restaurant, which surrounds the aft stairtower, by today’s standards, with many of The interior of the next level, Lounge which is con gured in two long galleries concludes the interior of Lounge Deck. their brass-framed portholes able to be Deck, begins with the former rst class with picture windows. Vintage blue sh Exquisite original carvings by Paul Rene opened to let in fresh air. The portholes lounge, the ship’s most charmingly ceramics crown the inner bulkheads of Gauguin (a well-known Norwegian artist also have metal deadlights, which are authentic ‘period’ space. the galleries, although the restaurant’s and the grandson of the famed Paul sealed in rough seas and also shut out Used for functions such as the furnishing and decking have been Gauguin), depicting the ‘North Wind’ and the sun during the summer season. boat drill muster and nature talks, it modernised. The room’s main focal point ‘South Wind’, line its forward bulkheads. Dining is also a far cry from features colourful Norwegian folk art is a wooden carving of a shnet with An open fantail area, with deck chairs mainstream cruise line fare, with carvings and a backlit ceiling recess, blue ceramic sea life insets that make an and a beautifully maintained emergency buffet style breakfast and lunch and recalling the observation lounges of ideal backdrop for the buffets, which steering stand on Lounge Deck, is a set three-course, full-service dinner. larger Scandinavian liners of the same feature more than a little sea food. probably the most popular place on Service is friendly and ef cient and era, such as Swedish American Line’s Directly aft of the Restaurant on the the ship, especially on sunny days. the food is basic, but altogether Gripsholm and Norwegian America starboard side is the galley, which also From the next lower level, Deck C, satisfactory, with an emphasis on Line’s Bergensfjord. serves the Cafe on the port side of the passenger access to the open fo’c’sle fresh sh and sea food. The Hall, which is directly aft of the Restaurant. On regular cruise service, area on Lounge Deck is provided Lounge, is where most guests embark, the Cafe is an annex with over ow via staircases leading up from the via small sheltered alcoves on either seating to the Restaurant, but, in sheltered promenades on either side. side of Lounge Deck. Situated at the traditional Hurtigruten coastal service, The narrow promenades continue aft top of the forward stairtower, which it doubles as an all-hours coffee from the base of the superstructure to the mooring area at the stern, and are a favourite spot for those who enjoy being close to the sea. Deck C is devoted to accommodation, ranging from cosy former rst class cabins with private facilities to interior cabins with facilities a few steps away. The indoor/outdoor reception area, which still has its original mailbox with slots for all ABOVE The largest staterooms are the ABOVE Guests enter the ship via the of the Hurtigruten ports, is at the base ABOVE Nordstjernen’s long fo’c’sle is former first class cabins. former first class Hall on Lounge Deck. of the forward stairtower on Deck C. accessible to passengers.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 37 A o ectin a e ’ n photographs When the royal family were regular visitors to Cowes Regatta, they stayed on the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Navy provided guard ships. After Britannia was decommissioned in 1996, royal visitors would often be accommodated on Trinity House vessels. The navy is still present, usually sending a Maitimesmaller vessel. Gordon Roberts’ photos recall some of the ships attending the famous Regatta. TOP THV Patricia is a coastal vessel which undertakes maintenance work and places new navigation markers around the UK. Built at Leith in Scotland in 1982, she is Mosaifitted out to a very high standard and remains in service today. An earlier Patricia took HRH Duke of Edinburgh on a tour of Scandinavia in 1952, replacing the old Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert III when she was deemed unseaworthy. She is seen in the Solent in August 2006.

LEFT ORP Heweliusz is a Polish Navy Projekt 874 hydrographic survey ship, and is pictured attending Cowes Week in August 2008. Launched in November 1981 and commissioned in November 1982, the 61.6m vessel is one of very few foreign visitors to have come to Cowes during Regatta Week.

38 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com READERS’ ARCHIVE

ABOVE The Portsmouth-based Archer class coastal training craft HMS Dasher maintaining a naval presence at Cowes Week in August 2014. Built by Vosper Thornycroft in 1986, she became part of the Bristol University Royal Navy Unit.

ABOVE RIGHT THV Winston Churchill is another of Trinity House’s coastal vessels built by Samuel White at Cowes. Built in 1963, she gave 26 years of service before being laid up and eventually sold and converted to a yacht, and is pictured in the Solent off Cowes in 1988.

RIGHT The lighthouse/buoy tender THV Galatea is the second Trinity House ship to carry the name. Built at Gdansk in Poland in 2007, she is fitted out to a high standard and is capable of accommodating 40 passengers. She is a regular visitor to Cowes Week, and In 2014 played host to members of the Royal family, hence the Royal Standard being flown on the bow.

BELOW The Royal family, on board Britannia, were regular visitors to Cowes Week, usually staying for the first four or five days before departing for Scotland. Britannia was commissioned in 1954, and made her last visit to Cowes in 1996, before being decommissioned in 1997. Here she is anchored in Cowes Roads for the 1995 event.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 39 SCOTTISH ROCKETS Thomas Rinaldi describes a voyage on board historic Scottish-built paddlers that continue to provide point-to-point transport through the STILL GOING STRONG Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh.

n the narrow overnight run between Dhaka, waterways of the national capital, and the Ganges- Khulna, near the southern end Brahmaputra of the delta. delta in In recent years the route has Bangladesh,O where hordes been truncated at a small river of riverboats vie with one town called Morrelganj, not far another to attract passengers from Khulna, reportedly due and freight, the Rocket boats to silting of the river bottom. enjoy a reputation for safety Though the vessels were and reliability, even though converted from steam to diesel they seem to be far and away in the 1990s, they still retain ABOVE Engine room aboard Ostrich. the oldest craft on the river. the prefi x ‘ps’ – paddle steamer RIGHT Ostrich rests overnight at the To those who rely on these – before their names. downriver terminus of Morrelganj. vessels for basic transportation, By the time I embarked the Rockets are workhorses on the ps Ostrich in March more than anything else. Yet 2015, the Rockets had already are larger and somewhat steam machinery replaced, the these are no ordinary boats survived years of reports in grander than their two four surviving Rockets exude – they are the last sidewheel the local press talking of their counterparts, Lepcha of 1938 a deeply evocative character – riverboats in regular passenger impending replacement. Some and the younger Tern of 1949. teak decks cambered into high service anywhere in the world. reports bemoaned their high Other running mates, such as paddle boxes, panelled saloons The Rocket fl eet is comprised maintenance and operating Kiwi, Gazi and Teal, which fore and aft – that makes an of four Scottish-built paddle costs. A new vessel, Bangali, survived into the 1990s, have indelible impact on passengers wheelers, relics of the British in fact joined the fl eet in vanished. But even with their accustomed to more mundane Raj. Today, the boats come 2014, but the old boats have under the auspices of the state- persevered despite this. controlled Bangladesh Inland Built in 1928-29, Ostrich Water Transport Corporation, is considered the pride of the which operates them on an fl eet. She and her sister Mahsud

The outbound Mahsud (1929) paddling downstream in the lower reaches of the delta.

40 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com HISTORIC PADDLERS

Ostrich (1929) idles at Barisal, half-way point on her down- SCOTTISH ROCKETS river journey to Morrelganj. STILL GOING STRONG

Like her three surviving running mates, Ostrich is the work of William Denny & Brothers, the venerable Clydeside shipyard that existed from 1840 to 1963. In addition to many notable vessels built for domestic routes, Denny developed a speciality in river steamers for service in far corners of the world. These included the American sternwheeler Delta Queen of 1927, numerous vessels for the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in what is now Myanmar, and forms of transport. many steamers dispatched to Ostrich paddled away from British India. her berth at Dhaka’s Sadarghat Ostrich and Tern entered boat terminal (a sort of Grand service under the fl ag of the Central afl oat) at precisely India General Navigation 1900. We reached our fi rst & Railway Co; Mahsud and landing, Chandpur, around Lepcha ran for the Rivers on the Brahmaputra and deposited our one other western midnight. Here we waited Navigation Co. Operating Garhmuktesar, near New Delhi, passenger, a German college to meet an intercity train in tandem, these two fi rms on the Ganges. professor who was bound for an from Chittagong, on the Bay provided services on an array Sunrise found Ostrich at organised tour of the Sundarbans of Bengal, from which we of routes throughout the Barisal, one of the largest cities National Park, home to the collected passengers bound for Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, as in Bangladesh, and about the highly endangered Bengali tiger. various points in the delta. well as on the Hooghly River halfway point in our journey Hularhat is not the end of the out of Calcutta, reaching as downriver. From this point, the line, but it provides convenient far upstream as Dibrugarh Rocket boats make frequent overland connections to stops delivering passengers, Khulna, formerly the terminus mail, freight and retail goods of the Rocket service, where to sleepy provincial landings travellers can book tours into downriver. At a tiny river the Sundarbans and to the town called Hularhat, Ostrich monumental mosques at

ABOVE Passengers aboard Ostrich survey Dhaka’s busy Sadarghat waterfront prior to departure.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 41 IF YOU GO . . . • It is advisable to book first or second class tickets at least one to two weeks in advance. Online ticket sales are slated to begin sometime this year. In the meantime, tickets may be reserved by calling the BIWTC directly at +880- 2-9555032-33. • Tickets can be collected from the BIWTC office at 5 Dilkusha, Dhaka The (next to the Purbani Ganges International Hotel) on Delta the morning of the day of departure. Alternatively, tourist agencies in Dhaka can sometimes assist with ticket sales, for a premium. • Hot meals with table DELTA PADDLERS service are available in first OSTRICH Mahsud Lepcha TerN class. A snack concession is HULL NO 1228 1227 1318 1419 available to all passengers BUILT 1928-1929 1927-1929 1937-1938 1947-1949 throughout the duration TONNAGE 630grt 630grt 396grt 460grt of the voyage. LENGTH 235ft 235ft 190ft 200ft All built by William Denny & Bros, Dumbarton; assembled by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Calcutta (Kolkata), India

The outbound Tern (1949) approaches the landing stage at Baramasua in the lower delta.

Bagerhat, both UNESCO World considered to be safer than Heritage Sites. newer vessels run by private From Hularhat, Ostrich lines. For its part, the BIWTC paddled her way down to acknowledges the iconic status Morrelganj, a small but bustling of these saffron-coloured river town about 19 hours mainstays of the delta, and and just over 200 miles from has indicated that Ostrich and Dhaka, and interim end of the Mahsud may remain active even line for the Rockets. There she as new vessels enter service in disembarked the last of her the coming years. And in the passengers and berthed for the meantime, word on the river is night, before casting off for the that dredging will extend the return journey the next morning. route of the Rockets back to How much longer the Khulna for 2016. Rockets will press on is • Many thanks to Jonathan impossible to say. Despite their Boonzaier, Gordon Stewart, ABOVE Fleetmates: Lepcha (1937, on left) and Tern (1949) lay up between voyages age, the government-operated David Asprey and Gabriella on the Buriganga in old Dhaka. Newer river craft can be seen in the distance. Rocket steamers are widely Laing for help with this article.

42 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com HISTORIC PADDLERS

ABOVE The first class dining saloon aboard Ostrich boasts fine panelled joinery that evokes shipboard interiors of the 19th century.

ABOVE First class observation deck on Ostrich.

ABOVE Engine room telegraph on Tern. ABOVE First class stateroom on Ostrich. ABOVE Young sous-chef and wood-fired range in Ostrich’s main galley.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 43 Supporting seafarersin need andtheir families To ﬁndout aboutour work or to make adonationvisit www.seafarers.uk phone 02079320000oremail [email protected]

Seafarers UK (King George’s Fund forSailors) is aRegistered Charity,no. 226446 in England and Wales, incorporated under Royal Charter.Registered in Scotland, no.SC038191

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themissiontoseafarers @FlyingAngelNews The container ship Zambia (76,847gt) departing Algeciras on 4 October 2015, bound for Sines, Portugal and then to Freeport, Bahamas. She was built in 1998 as NYK Sirius, becoming MSC Zambia in 2010. She became Zambia in 2012 and is currently owned by Zodiac Maritime of the UK. CHRIS BROOKS

Ships Pictorial Have you an outstanding photo that would grace our gallery? Send your image to Ships Monthly for inclusion in these pages, which showcase the best in ship photography around the world.

The colourful 3,234gt ferry Panagia Skiadeni leaving the port of Rhodes on 25 September 2015. The 81m by 14m vessel was built in 1986 at the Shinhama Dockyard, Anan, Japan. She is managed by Dodekanisos Tourist Maritime and owned by the Dodekanisos Seaways Consortium, both of which have head offices in Rhodes. FRANS TRUYENS

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 45 The Japanese Hatakaze class guided missile The 2005-built Conquest class cruise ship Carnival destroyer Shimakaze (DDG 172) at the Fleet Review Liberty (110,000gt) at PortMiami. She currently at Sagami Bay in October 2015. The 4,600-ton vessel operates from San Juan, Puerto Rico on seven-day was commissioned in 1988. Mitsuhiro Kadota cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Andy Hernandez

Irish Ferries’ Oscar Wilde (1997/31,914gt) and Epsilon (2011/26,375gt) at Dublin on 21 December 2015. Gordon Hislip

46 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com Ships Pictorial

The refrigerated cargo ship Tuna Princess (2005/4,522gt), built in Japan and currently being used for processing, packing and transporting tuna, arriving at Valletta, Malta on 17 November 2015. Gae tano Spiteri

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 47 The four members of the class bought by Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd retained their narrow funnels. This is Esso Tioga, built at Grangemouth where she was also registered.

The Empire Cadets Roy Fenton chronicles The prototype of the class, Bulk Oil’s a class of coastal Pass of Balmaha, built in Glasgow in tanker that became 1933. World Ship Society Ltd very familiar around ports and harbours in the post-war era.

hipbuilding in World War II avoided many of the mistakes made in the previous conflict. Firstly, immediateS priority was given to merchant ship production, a stark contrast to the situation in 1914, when it was almost abandoned in favour of warship construction, with dire consequences. And when it was eventually realised in World War I that merchant ships were vital, time was lost in designing U-boat war waged relentlessly she was a relatively large, if this was a type of machinery new ‘standard’ ships. from the first day meant that rather anachronistic, tanker. that British marine engineering In 1939 there certainly was every ship that British yards She belonged to the Bulk Oil firms could produce quickly. a move to standardisation, could deliver was needed. Steamship Company Ltd, one Of equal importance, marine but this was largely based on of the few independent British engineers in the home trade proven, existing designs, so Ill-fated prototype shipowners who embraced were totally familiar with these that drawing office work was When construction turned to the coastal carriage of liquid engines. A counter stern also minimised and construction coastal tankers, it seemed hard cargoes, but most importantly betrayed the age of the design. expedited. Yards were also to find a recent design that had experience of designing Builders were Blythswood allowed to use designs they had could be multiplied. Instead, ships for this trade. Shipbuilding Co Ltd of already built, provided they constructors harked back to With her triple-expansion Glasgow, who had specialised met wartime needs. This was 1933, adopting Pass of Balmaha engine, Pass of Balmaha was in building tankers, although fortunate, as the unrestricted as a model. At 202ft overall, not exactly state of the art. But mostly larger ones than Pass of

48 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com CLASSIC COASTERS

out 12, work concluding when compared with other classes of Empire Tavistock was delivered wartime coastal tanker, meant on 31 March 1945. The only they were deployed widely, for other builder was A. and J. instance in the Mediterranean Inglis Ltd on the upper Clyde. and in West African waters. Here, They delivered Empire Maiden two of the class became serious in March 1942, and production casualties, but only Empire at their Pointhouse yard ended Maiden succumbed to enemy in April 1945 with their tenth action. On 14 June 1943 she was example, Empire Shetland. bombed and sunk off Pantellaria, As the examples quoted shortly after the island had been above suggest, there was occupied by the Allies. little consistency in the Again far from home, names bestowed on the class. Empire Arthur was loading ABOVE British Petroleum bought a number of the class, and the name Iran The names Empire Cadet, fresh water at Freetown, Sierra suggests this one was intended for service in the Middle East. Empire Bairn, Empire Lass, Leone on 22 November 1943 Empire Maiden and Empire when sea water entered her Damsel comprised one theme. holds, causing her to capsize Islands made up another, and sink alongside Kissy Jetty. with Empire Bute, Empire Neither accident ended the Jura, Empire Mull, Empire ships’ careers. Empire Maiden Orkney and Empire Shetland, was raised in 1947, repaired notwithstanding that there was and fitted with another steam a distinct ‘Isles’ class of coastal engine by Italian owners. After tanker built during the war. being given an oil engine in Names from the round table 1962, she soldiered on until legends were bestowed on being broken up in 1974. Empire Arthur, Empire Gawain Empire Arthur was also raised and Empire Fay, while Empire by Italians, repaired and put Dombey and Empire Trotwood back into service, eventually were inspired by characters from returning to UK waters as Dickens. But others seemed Everard’s Adherity, surviving randomly chosen, such as the until 1962, still with her Balmaha. Her steam engine one-offs Empire Tavistock, original steam engine. came from the nearby works of ABOVE Shellbrit 7, still in wartime Empire Wrestler, Empire A total of 129 coastal tankers David Rowan and Co Ltd, and condition, navigates the Manchester Coppice and Empire Gypsy. The were completed to the British gave her a top speed of 10.5 Ship Canal. Later renamed BP Marketer accompanying table summarises Government’s account during knots. Sadly, Pass of Balmaha and Sarroch, she was the last Empire each of the three yards’ outputs, or shortly after World War II, did not survive to see any of Cadet in service. and the names and fates of the of which the Empire Cadets her wartime sisters completed. BELOW In wartime rig, Empire 23 members of the class. were the longest, although not On 17 October 1941 she Shetland, last of the class built by A. J. the numerically largest, class. was carrying a much-needed Inglis Ltd at Pointhouse, Glasgow. Note Wartime casualties As accompanying lists show, consignment of petrol from the spark arrester on her funnel. The relatively large size of construction of the Empire Alexandria to the besieged the Empire Cadets, certainly Cadets was spread over four port of Tobruk when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U 97. Her entire complement of 16 crew plus two gunners was lost. Empire Cadets emerge The first of the class was completed in December 1941 as Empire Bairn, the only one to come from the Blythswood yard that had built the prototype. The ship from which the class took its name, Empire Cadet, was actually the third completed, by the Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd on 22 January 1942. She was not even the first to be launched, that being Empire Lass, also from Grangemouth, on 31 July 1941, and delivered on 8 December 1941. The Grangemouth yard was the most prolific of the three that built the class, turning

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 49 Everard of Greenhithe were major users of the class. Their Argosity was lengthened by 30ft in 1957, the only known example to be so modified. Ships in Focus

years, although none were need to house larger crews. The to Germany. Two went to the sometimes moved or omitted laid down after the end of result was the outwardly similar Indian Navy as harbour tankers. altogether. Everard’s Argosity 1944. As the war progressed, classes, ‘Tankers, Eastern, Modifications made to was lengthened by about 30ft construction of other types of Steam’ (with Empire Tes… the class post-war were in 1957. Surprisingly, the only coastal tanker took precedence. names) and ‘Tankers Eastern relatively minor. The narrow, example known to have had its This was particularly so in Diesel’ (Empire Ted…names), wartime funnels with their steam machinery replaced was the case of the CHANTs, the plus some near-sisters, all with spark arresters were generally the former Empire Maiden, prefabricated vessels built on an their rather massive bridge/ replaced with broader examples, following her salvage and repair industrial scale in anticipation accommodation structures and the signal mast aft was in Italy, as described above. of supplying fuel and water to amidships. Eventually, 20 the armies invading France in of these eastern types were June 1944. A total of 43 of completed, many too late for these were built as tankers, as war service, with ten cancelled. intended, with a further 25 hulls completed as dry cargo Post-war service ships of the Empire Fabric class. The 21 Empire Cadets afloat With the war in Europe at the end of the war readily turning decisively in the found buyers. Oil companies Allies’ favour, thoughts of ship were among the first in the constructors turned to the war queue, with Anglo-American in the Far East. A number of Oil Co Ltd (later Esso coastal tankers were designed Petroleum Co Ltd) taking four, to suit the conditions expected and the Kuwait Oil Co two. in that theatre, especially the Initially, British Petroleum took ABOVE BP Engineer of the Shell Mex and BP coastal tanker fleet. Like her running one, as did a Shell subsidiary mates, she received a prominent radar mast and had her foremast shortened. MAIN British users of operating in West Africa. Empire Cadets However, these two companies’ joint marketing organisation, F.T. Everard and Sons Ltd, Greenhithe Shell Mex and BP Ltd, eventually built up a fleet of six. Argosity, Aureity, Adherity, Allegrity, Bulk Oil took four examples, Allurity, Alchymist unsurprisingly, as they were Shell Mex and BP Ltd built to its design, even naming BP Distributor, BP Transporter, one Pass of Balmaha in memory Shellbrit 5, Shellbrit 6/BP Refiner, of the prototype. Everards Shellbrit 7/BP Marketer, Shell Fitter came to the class somewhat Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd/Esso later, but rivalled Shell Mex Petroleum Co Ltd and BP in eventually operating Esso Dakotah, Esso Genesee, Esso six. Mediterranean owners Juniata, Esso Tioga were also significant users, Italy Bulk Oil Steamship Co Ltd having seven at one time or Pass of Balmaha, Pass of Kintail, Pass another, Greece and France ABOVE Bulk Oil bought Empire Damsel and renamed her Pass of Balmaha (2) as of Glenogle, Pass of Drumochter three each, with one also going replacement for their lost prototype.

50 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com CLASSIC COASTERS

Output by yard Remarkably given their The names were carried by the ships when they were under British ownership, unless stated otherwise anachronistic steam engines Empire name Delivered Later names Fate and the wartime misadventures of two ships, the entire class of Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd 23 was still intact until Allegrity Empire Bairn 12.1941 Chilka (Indian Navy) Stricken 1976 was lost in December 1961. Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd But demolitions began during Empire Lass 1.1942 Esso Juniata, Argosity b/u Bruges 1969 the next year, with Adherity and Empire Cadet 1.1942 Mascara (French), Aureity b/u Barrow 1968 Esso Dakotah going to breakers Empire Arthur 6.1942 Merula (Italy), Adherity b/u New Lekkerkerk 1962 in the Netherlands and Belgium Empire Gawain 6.1942 Esso Dakotah b/u Boom, Belgium 1962 respectively. The British-owned Empire Damsel 10.1942 Pass of Balmaha b/u Dalmuir 1967 vessels went in the 1960s, with Empire Harbour 5.1943 Esso Genesee b/u Tamise, Belgium 1961 most of those remaining in the Empire Wrestler 7.1943 Esso Tioga b/u St Davids on Forth 1963 Mediterranean going to local Empire Settler 11.1943 Iran, Widad, Motol VII (Greece) b/u Piraeus 1968 breakers in the 1970s. The Empire Trotwood 5.1944 Amir, BP Distributor b/u Willebroek, Belgium 1965 two examples with the Indian Empire Mull 8.1944 Medea (France), Christine (Germany), Pass of Deleted ‘Lloyd’s Register’ 1987: Navy were removed from the Kintail, Passamare (Italy), Kali Limenese (Greece) ‘continued existence in doubt’ Navy List in the 1970s and Empire Drury 12.1944 Shelbrit 6, BP Refiner, Cosina (Italy) b/u Palermo, 1973 undoubtedly scrapped. Empire Tavistock 4.1945 Sobat, Allegrity Lost Cornwall 1961 The former Empire Mull A J Inglis Ltd, Glasgow was still listed as the Greek Empire Maiden 3.1942 Asteria (Italy), Sanjacopo (Italy) b/u La Spezia 1974 Kali Limenes until 1987, when Empire Gypsy 11.1942 Sambhar (Indian Navy) Stricken 1976 Lloyd’s Register doubted her Empire Fay 3.1943 Kleinella, Shelbrit 7, BP Marketer, Sarroch (Italy) b/u Naples 1983 continued existence, and, even if she had not been scrapped, Empire Coppice 6.1943 Amin, Shell Fitter, Aliki (Greece) b/u Perama, Greece 1969 she would have been taken out Empire Harvest 12.1943 Shelbrit 5, BP Engineer b/u Antwerp 1965 of service years before. The Empire Dombey 10.1944 Allurity b/u Bruges 1965 last working Empire Cadet was Empire Jura 10.1944 Samshoo, Pass of Glenogle, Marcello Garrolla b/u Naples 1979 almost certainly the former (Italy), Marcello G (Italy) Empire Fay, broken up as Empire Bute 12.1944 Miliana (France), Rivoli (Algeria), Pass of b/u La Spezia 1971 the Italian bunkering tanker Drumochter, Santa Giuli (Italy) Sarroch at Naples in 1983. Empire Orkney 3.1945 Alchymist b/u Bruges 1969 With over half the class Empire Shetland 4.1945 Adib, BP Transporter b/u Antwerp 1965 operating in Home Trade waters in post-war years, the Empire Although any ship in the Empire Orkney spent Cadets formed a significant part coastal trade suffers minor her entire peacetime of the British coastal tanker damage, forever entering career with Everards fleet, also giving good service harbours and going alongside as Alchymist. to Mediterranean owners. jetties and wharves, there were Although somewhat outdated just two known examples of when construction began in serious peacetime casualties 1941, these counter-sterned among the class, only one of steam tankers proved their value which proved fatal to the ship. in both war and peace. On 13 December 1961 Everard’s Allegrity was on Acknowledgements • The article has a voyage from Le Havre to drawn on W. H. Mitchell and L. A. Shell’s oil refinery at Stanlow Sawyer’s ‘The Empire Ships’ (2nd edition) on the Manchester Ship Canal and K. Garrett’s ‘Everard of Greenhithe’. when she grounded on Greeb Point near St Anthony Head, Cornwall during a gale. She refloated at high water, but was holed and went aground on a beach near Dodman Point. Salvage work on the buckled and flooded ship began, but nine days after the initial grounding she capsized and was abandoned as a total loss. In February 1972 Marcello G (originally Empire Jura) was undergoing repairs at Naples when heavy weather caused her to heel over and sink. Although declared a constructive total loss, she was raised and repaired by her owners, Sardi Bunkers SpA, who got seven years’ ABOVE Towards the end of the war, priority was given to tankers with enlarged amidships superstructure for service in the further service from her. Far East. Empire Tedport is seen here as Shell Director.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 51 Cabin class rivals David Williams and Richard de Kerbrech recall six unique and innovative passenger ships built by France, the UK and the United States, which became known as Cabin class liners.

ABOVE On board Washington.

ABOVE The passenger categories and layout of America were amended in the post-war period, with 516 in the top grade, first class, and 371 and 159 respectively n the early part of the challenged by competitors from in cabin and tourist class. Kenneth W. Wightman 20th century trends Cunard. As the popularity of in North Atlantic Cabin class increased, improved passenger traffic were Cabin ships opened up Cabin changing. Following class service in the premier IWorld War I the earlier Atlantic route to New York First class, Second class and During the late 1920s Steerage were redesignated and early 1930s three pairs First, Second and Third of unique and innovative class. However, Second class passenger ships, designated was a term unpopular with Cabin class liners, emerged travellers, who inferred that it from France, the UK and was somehow ‘second best’. the United States. They were From 1900 some older ships Lafayette and Champlain, were adapted to Cabin class by Britannic and Georgic, and having the former First class Manhattan and Washington, accommodation renamed Cabin three steamships and three class standard, a class which motor ships. effectively replaced both First Conceived at the height and Second – in other words, of the Great Depression and they became a single new class. constructed at a time when The first purpose-built work was much needed in the ABOVE The cabin class smoking room on Washington, like that aboard Manhattan, Cabin ships were introduced shipbuilding and allied trades, was characterised by the ‘pioneer’ spirit of the Wild West, with animal trophies by Canadian Pacific on the they were overshadowed by the and North American Indian scenes. United States Lines Dominion run, being later larger, luxurious and express

52 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com HISTORIC LINERS

A close-up view of Britannic’s port side. The paint on her hull is streaked and showing evidence of routine wear and tear. This would all be smartened up during her regular overhauls. Kenneth W. Wightman

ABOVE The palm court, another cabin ABOVE A corner of Lafayette’s ABOVE Georgic’s tourist class smoking ABOVE How the revamped interiors of class room aboard Georgic. Cunard grand salon with panel depicting de room was on the lines of a 16th Britannic looked in her post-war guise. Archives, University of Liverpool Lafayette at right. French Line century farmhouse. Authors’ collection Authors’ collection liners on the prestigious North public rooms, in effect offering The North Atlantic Passenger the liners Normandie and Queen Atlantic routes. The first of the First class travel in relative Conference members, which Mary were designated as Cabin Cabin class ships, Lafayette of luxury, but at much lower fares included the Cunard and French ships when they entered service. 1927, with its Art Deco style and with a longer and slower Lines and essentially formed a This trend continued up until and lavishly appointed public crossing time. Essentially, Cabin cartel which recommended or World War II, when the ships rooms, set a high standard of class passengers were getting rather pegged North Atlantic were commandeered for war decor, besides being France’s First class accommodation steamship fares, were peeved service, but the loss of Lafayette largest motor ship at lower rates, but the ships’ by these newcomers, who were by fire in 1938 prevented her The introduction of the impact on the style and seemingly undercutting fares. In use as a troopship. Four of the Cabin class ships cut a dash standards for Atlantic travel were fact, acrimony among the cartel’s remaining ships gave yeoman in the Atlantic passenger trendsetting and challenged the members threatened its break- service during the war, Champlain traffic, as they offered spacious major passenger liner companies up, until they too adopted Cabin was another loss. Manhattan was accommodation and sumptuous to rethink their strategies. class and cabin ships. Indeed, renamed USS Wakefield, and

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 53 Georgic suffered ﬁ res, but both Seen from above, Lafayette on fire were reconstructed as purpose- in dry dock at Le Havre on 5 May built troopships. In 1945 only 1938. The efforts of firefighters Britannic returned to commercial attempting to bring the blaze under service, but by this time travelling control with hoses appear futile classes had reverted to First, given the scale and intensity of the Tourist and Tourist Third, marking fire. AUTHORS’ COLLECTION the demise of Cabin class travel. It is perhaps important to put on record the part played by the six innovative Cabin class rivals during an era of depression and austerity, and highlight their rightful place in the history and development of North Atlantic Steam (and motor) navigation.

CABIN CLASS RIVALS: THE FACTS BRITANNIC GEORGIC MANHATTAN WASHINGTON CHAMPLAIN LAFAYETTE YEAR BUILT 1930 1932 1932 1933 1932 1929 GROSS TONNAGE 26,943 27,759 24,289 24,289 28,124 25,178 DIMENSIONS 712 x 82.5ft 711 x 82.5ft 705ft x 86.3ft 705ft x 86.3ft 641ft x 82.8ft 613ft x 77.6ft MAIN ENGINES Two ten-cylinder, four-stroke, Two Parsons, three-stage, Two three-stage Four six-cylinder CABIN CLASS RIVALS Lafayette & double-acting H&W-B&W oil single-reduction steam single-reduction two-stroke MAN Champlain, Britannic & Georgic and turbines steam turbines oil Manhattan and Washington, by David AVERAGE SPEED 17.46 knots 17.24 knots 21.2 knots 21.9 knots 19.23 knots 16.86 knots L. Williams and Richard P. de Kerbrech, PASSENGERS 1,553 1,542 1,230 1.091 1,079 price £19.99, paperback, published by The History Press.

The final departure from Southampton of Queen Mary on 31 October 1967, viewed from P&O’s Oriana. Along with the disposal of her sister Queen Elizabeth the following year, the laying-up of the United States in 1969 and the transition of the France into the cruise ship Norway, the era of cabin class ocean travel was brought to a close then. In truth, as it had been originally conceived it passed in September 1939, when war abruptly ended a quite dramatic era of transatlantic passenger shipping. TIM NOBLE

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www.shipsmonthly.com • April2016 • 55 With St Michael’s Mount in the background, Klyne’s salvage tug Anglian Princess was a common sight in the bay a few years ago, when she was operating as the Coastguard’s Emergency Towing Vessel (ETV) for the western approaches. ALL PHOTOS BY THE AUTHOR

Britain’s most westerly ports Krispen Atkinson provides a view of today’s shipping scene in the most westerly ports in the UK, the port of Penzance and its neighbour Newlyn. Both have long maritime histories, and both have adapted to the changes and challenges of the 21st century.

TOP The bulk carrier Magsenger 19 anchored off Newlyn Harbour waiting for orders, December 2015. LEFT The French-flagged Guedel in Penzance’s dry dock, after being bought by the IOS Steamship Co. She later emerged as Ivor B.

All traffi c is now concentrated port. Holman ran the dry dock in the wet basin area, where a until the late 1990s, when its 14.8m entrance accommodates ownership passed through a vessels of up to 5.4m draught. series of companies. To enter The port is home to one the dry dock takes good of the oldest dry docks in shiphandling skills. First, the the world. Established in vessel passes through Ross 1834, the current dry dock, Bridge, a swing-bridge built in measuring 74.7m in length 1881 to connect the port to the (245ft) by 11.9m (39ft) in town, near the railway station. ith St The modern port of Penzance width, completed in 1880 and Once in the Abbey Basin, the Michael’s was completed in 1884 with currently leased by Isles of ship needs to make a 90-degree Mount as a the opening of the wet dock. Scilly Steamship Co, operates turn to port to enter the dry backdrop, Parts of the quay on the under the name of Penzance dock. This is undertaken by the two most southern side of the harbour Dry Dock. The current owner bringing the stern around until westerlyW ports on the British date back to medieval times, took on the lease in 2009, the ship is parallel to the road, Isles can be found on the north- with the fi rst reference to a securing the facility to enable at which point it is aligned to western corner of Mount’s Bay. quay being made in a charter of work to be carried out on its enter the dry dock. To assist Penzance and Newlyn are two King Henry VIII in 1512. But own vessels as well as catering the operation, small harbour miles apart, and both ports the most signifi cant time for for other local craft. craft guide the ship through the have long histories of signifi cant the port’s development was the In August 1904 the dry dock diffi cult manoeuvre. maritime activity. However, the mid-1800s, with the Albert Pier was bought by N. Holman & The yard thrived as a repair ports today are very different to being completed in 1847 and Sons Ltd, who already owned facility, being ideally located what they once were. the enclosed wet basin in 1884. a foundry business within the just off the main shipping lane

56 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com PORT PROFILE ‘Aside from the Isles of Scilly vessels, callers at the port today are a mix of live-aboards, visiting yachts and the odd vessels destined for the dry dock . . .’

PENZANCE PORT IN FIGURES PASSENGER Approximately NUMBERS 105,000 (2013) CARGO 13,100 tonnes (2013) FISH LANDED 10,800 tonnes, valued (NEWLYN) at £21.6 million (2013)

between the English Channel and Irish Sea. In the 1960s and On the south side of 1970s coasters would regularly Penzance’s wet dock, Isles be seen undertaking voyage of Scilly Steamship Co’s repairs in the wet basin, or lying Scillonian III in one of her in the dry dock, with tankers of later liveries. Rowbotham’s and Shell-Mex BP, and coasters from the ﬂ eets of Comben Longstaff and London & Rochester, all being regular visitors. However, as ships have become larger, the number of vessels utilising the facilities have declined. More recently, government contracts have kept the yard ticking over, with work on small support vessels. A couple of vessels have been built by the yard, including a tug/workboat for use in the port. More recently, the yard has looked to diversify, and the lure of the multi-million pound superyacht industry saw a few

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 57 ABOVE Ivor B laid up after completion of construction works on the Isles of Scilly. ABOVE William Sampson Stevenson, a Newlyn-based trawler, heads from the port The vessel was later sold and, renamed Evora, remains in Penzance. for the fishing grounds in less than favourable conditions. ‘The types of ship using the ports of Penzance and Newlyn have changed considerably, especially in the past 50 years’ interesting vessels come to the on the quayside later became port for refits. One such vessel the Trinity House National still sits in the port today: the Lighthouse Museum, but this former Swedish buoy tender was closed in 2005 and its Vega arrived in 1999 and exhibits moved a few miles never left. Built in 1964, Vega south to the Lizard lighthouse. was to be converted into an The port still saw a good ABOVE Alongside in Newlyn, the former British Army landing craft Arromanches adventure yacht, her ice-class number of commercial cargoes waits for a gap in the weather to take more heavy plant to the Isles of Scilly. hull enabling her to visit polar until the 1980s, when coal was regions. She was cut down and still brought in. Much of the completely rebuilt, with a new growth that propelled the port superstructure added in 2004, up until the end of the 19th four years into the work. But century was through imports funds eventually ran out, and and exports from the mines the vessel still lies in the basin in the Penwith area north of today, partially converted, but Penzance. The last mine in the representative of the work that area, Giver, closed in 1990. the yard can undertake. Aside from the Isles of Scilly vessels, callers at the Trinity House Depot port today are a mix of live- The presence of the dry dock aboards, visiting yachts and at Penzance was a factor that the odd vessels destined for encouraged Trinity House the dry dock. Very little cargo to develop a presence in the operation is now undertaken harbour. A depot was opened within the harbour. However, ABOVE The local yard was busy in 1999, with Sea Humber lying on the outer wall in 1866, on the western side, in 2015 a major investment was for minor repairs to be undertaken, and the south coast dredger Sand Swift lying where all Trinity House’s undertaken to modernise the alongside her, waiting to enter the dry dock. navigation aids were serviced buildings within the shipyard, in the western sector, from while the harbour was dredged. Start Point in Devon to There is also a plan to improve Trevose Head, on Cornwall’s the Lighthouse Pier, as well as north coast. This included the the receiving areas used by the lighthouses of Eddystone, Wolf Isles of Scilly Link. Rock, Longships and Bishops Rock off the Scillies, as well Newlyn as lightvessel marking the Newlyn was built around the Sevenstones reef. fishing industry. Today it is For over 100 years Trinity the fifth largest UK fishing House lighthouse tenders port by catch landed and has came to the harbour, with the the biggest fishing fleet in 1961-built Stella being the last terms of number of vessels. to do so before Trinity House’s As it is the closest port to the operations were centralised fishing grounds in the Western ABOVE The former Swedish buoy tender Vega, which arrived in Penzance in 1999 for in Harwich. The buoy store approaches, fishing vessels will conversion to an expedition yacht, seen in 2014, after work on the project had halted.

58 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com PORT PROFILE

Isle of Scilly Link Scillonian III’s running mate is Gry Scillonian III Maritha, a palletised cargo vessel. She Built Appledore ince 1920 the Isles of Scilly May 1977, the ship has continuously plays an important role, bringing food Shipbuilders, Steamship Company have been operated on the seasonal service and goods for the islanders, including Appledore, 1977 Srunning services to the Isles of since leaving the shipyard, and has fuel, which is carried in transportable TONNAGE 1,346gt, 421 net Scilly from Penzance. The company had a variety of liveries. Scillonian III fuel tanks which are discharged by DIMENSIONS 68m (223.1ft) x 11.85m currently operates two vessels from generally operates from Easter until the vessel’s own deck crane. (38.9ft) x 2.89m (9.5ft) the mainland to St Mary’s, the largest October, running six days a week, Gry Maritha was purchased by the SPEED 15 knots of the islands in the archipelago. The with two sailings during the peak Steamship company in 1989 following company’s two vessels, Scillonian III season on Saturdays on the two-hour service along the Norwegian coast. CAPACITY 485 passengers and Gry Maritha, provide what is in 40-minute passage to St Mary’s. When The vessel’s name comes from this Engines 2x 2,440hp Mirrlees effect a lifeline service, supplying all conditions are too bad for aircraft past life, being that of the former Blackstone ESL8Mk2 the needs of the islanders. to operate, the ferry is also called in owner’s daughter. The vessel operates Scillonian III is a purpose-built to do an extra shift, sometimes to all year round, her annual dry-docking Gry Maritha passenger/cargo vessel, which was bring back stranded tourists. In the and refit being covered by Scillonian, Built Moen Slip, Kolvereid, completed by Appledore Shipbuilders winter months Scillonian III is laid up in normally in a cargo-only function, 1981 in North Devon. Named by HRH Prince Penzance, where work is undertaken either at the end of, or just prior to TONNAGE 590gt, 177 net Charles (Duke of Cornwall) on 17 to prepare her for the next season. starting, the next season. SIZE 40.34m (132.35ft) x 9.8m (32.2ft) x 3.63m (11.6ft) SPEED 9 knots CAPACITY 6 passengers Engines 2x640hp Caterpillar 3406T

LEFT Gry Maritha slowly approaches the entrance to the wet dock after a voyage back from the Isles of Scilly. BELOW Scillonian III at St Mary’s, the terminal on the Isles of Scilly. As well as taking passengers to the Isles of Scilly, she also carries cargo in her hold, seen here with its hatches open.

head out hundreds of miles into operate. In 1980 HRH Queen stone from the nearby Penlee common sight to see the MCA the Atlantic from the port. Elizabeth opened the Mary Quarry. The last coasters to load Emergency Towing vessels The first settlement in the Williams Pier, which ran out on this berth sailed in the early stationed in the bay, waiting area was recorded in 1279, into the harbour and enabled 1990s. At the height of exports, for a call. They would bring and is thought to have grown smaller vessels to operate from two or three coasters would be casualties into the bay, or even around a sheltered landing the quayside at all states of tide. in the bay waiting for the tide. into the harbours for repairs. spot for fishing boats working The port’s largest operator With recent construction In calmer times, ships also in Mount’s Bay. A quay was today is W. Stevenson & Sons, projects on the Isles of Scilly, await orders in the expanse of reported as being in situ by who operate a fleet of trawlers. Newlyn has been a hive of the Mount’s Bay, with some as 1435, and the Mayflower is The majority of these are former activity, with landing craft large as 180,000dwt capesize reported to have called at the Dutch vessels. Smaller stern loading building materials bulk carriers. port in 1620 to take on water trawlers operate from the port, and heavy plant equipment at The types of ship using the before its voyage with the as well as the crabbers of Rowse the slipway in the north-west ports of Penzance and Newlyn Pilgrims to the New World. Fisheries. The port also receives corner of the port. have changed considerably, The port developed around visits from foreign trawlers, Both ports, in their unique especially in the past 50 years. the pilchard trade, which was which come to use the port’s position as the last places of Many are now too big to use greatly aided by the building of facilities, loading ice, refuelling refuge on the south coast of the these once-thriving but small the railway at Penzance. and discharging fish. UK, see many vessels arriving ports, which have also seen Today, the port consists of Alongside the South Pier is a to seek shelter. This is the same cargoes related to the local South Pier and North Piers, slipway that is used by the local for Mount’s Bay, into which, mines and quarries decline as which were completed in fleet for maintenance. The pier during westerly storms, ships well as the downturn in the 1879 and 1880 respectively. itself, which acts as a breakwater heading for the Irish Sea wait fishing industry. But both These ports provided a large from southerly winds, was busy for conditions to improve ports have diversified in their safe sheltered harbour, from throughout the 20th century before continuing on their way. own way, and still take some which the fishing fleet could with coasters. These loaded Throughout the 2000s it was interesting visitors.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 59 ships mail

Write to Ships Mail, Ships Monthly, Kelsey Publishing, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berrys Hill, Cudham, after 40 years of service. She left Kent TN16 3AG, or email [email protected]. Please note that letters via email must enclose Australian waters in 1997, due to the sender’s full postal address. Contributions to Ships Monthly must be exclusive and must not Federal Government wanting to get be sent to other publications. The editor reserves the right to edit material. Kelsey Publishing reserves the right to reuse any submission sent in any format. rid of Australian-crewed vessels. But are there any other passenger ro-ro vessels that are this old and which are still operating in the open sea? Bob Silberberg, Tasmania, Australia Keewatin latest Cruise business The former Canadian Paci c Great I would like to make a few Lakes vessel Keewatin (SM, Feb, p.53) observations on the article The Cruise has indeed returned to Canada, as Business: How it all began (SM, Feb). It stated in the article, but alas she has discussed a complex topic, and I felt not ‘been returned to service’. She has there were some omissions in what been further preserved as a maritime was written. While the modern cruise museum and ‘event facility’ at Port industry does trace its origins to the McNicholl. Apart from this minor mid-1960s, the pioneering cruise change, it was an excellent article on a ships that made possible so much of fascinating vessel. what was to come were neglected: ABOVE Flavia docking at Nassau on 28 February 1981. ALLAN JORDAN Peter Dawes Nieuw Amsterdam, Kungsholm, Edmonton, Canada Oslofjord and Mauretania played a C, followed by Anna C, and in the Norwegian Caribbean Lines, and critical role in laying the groundwork later 1960s Flavia and Federico C. McDonald actually got started with The Union ag for the industry. Ted Arison actually traces his roots cruises to the 1962 World’s Fair in While on board the cruise ship Nautica Contrary to modern myths, to 1965, with two chartered Israeli Seattle. Further, NCL’s rst Sunward earlier this year, I noticed that the Florida also had a burgeoning cruise passenger-car ferries, Bilu and Nili, was nothing more than a luxury car ship ew a Union ag rather than a industry, starting in the 1950s. The and his rst Miami cruises were on ferry, and was able to accommodate red ensign in Liverpool as a courtesy Bahamas three- and four-day cruises Nili. It was only when he lost Nili that just over 500 passengers (206 ag. On New Year’s Eve, when I was were an industry staple, with sailings he made a now famous call to Knut cabins), not 700 as stated in the on board Insignia in Curacao, I noticed from the old port of Miami and Port Kloster suggesting Sunward leave article. Even NCL’s second ship, the chemical tanker Hafnia Taurus, Everglades, as well as on longer her route from Southampton to Starward, still had a car deck when registered in London, was ying a union Caribbean cruises on ships such Spain and come to Miami. she was built. Boheme, another ag from the stern. Does any reader as Ariadne, which HAPAG used as a Princes Cruises, formed by Stanley major pioneer from Miami starting in know if this a new development? luxury cruise ship in the 1950s. McDonald (incorrectly spelled 1968, was also not mentioned. Dr Roger I. Cartwright Costa pioneered early cruises from ‘Macdonald’ in the article), started a Allan E. Jordan Crieff, Perthshire Port Everglades, rst aboard Franca full year before what would become Roslyn, New York, USA Dazzle and mislead In answer to Mr Clough’s letter More on Hong Kong US four-stackers were among those probably one of the six Northampton about camou age (SM, Dec 2015), The fascinating panorama of warships transferred to the Royal Navy in 1940. class (Houston or Chicago). Below this the intention of zig-zag or ‘Dazzle’ at Hong Kong, which was probably Richard Lingham are two British destroyers, and to the camou age was not concealment, taken in 1936-7, includes vessels from Truro, Cornwall left of these are two US ‘four-stacker’ but to disguise a vessel’s true size/ the eets of both the UK and USA. The ush deck destroyers. On the right half type, heading, range and speed. It ships of the Royal Navy’s China Fleet This pre-World War II photograph is of the photo are six more of these, was introduced in World War I, and its appear to include the aircraft carrier a challenge in warship identi cation. moored in two groups of three. primary intention was as an effective HMS Hermes (top right), the three- The aircraft carrier is not Eagle but Alan Concannon, camou age to combat the new form funnelled County class cruiser HMS HMS Hermes (which has only one Forestville, Australia of naval warfare, submarines. Cumberland (bottom left), and the funnel, not two ). The submarine depot destroyer HMS Daring H16 (centre). ship is not Maidstone or Forth, but Australian-built ship The depot ship is HMS Medway, most likely HMS Medway (subsequently I have been receiving copies of Ships and astern of her appears to be the torpedoed and sunk in 1942). In the Monthly for many years and in June light cruiser HMS Curacoa, or one of middle is a County class heavy cruiser, 1989 I actually visited your then of ce her sisters. The USA’s Asiatic Fleet moored at a wharf, either Cumberland, at Burton-on-Trent on my way home includes at least eight three/four-stack Suffolk, Berwick or Cornwall, with to Tasmania. So I wonder if any readers destroyers (right and left foreground) the hangar aft. Diagonally from the can help me? I am interested in the and the cruiser USS Houston (centre), County across towards the upper passenger/vehicle vessel, built at but the identity of the supply ship middle of the photo is a light cruiser, the State Dockyard, Newcastle, New (middle right) is unknown. which I have found the most dif cult South Wales, Australia, in July 1976 as HMS Hermes was bombed and sunk of any of the ships to identify. Bass Trader (IMO 73562520). She is still off Trincomalee in 1942, HMS Daring was Above this mystery ship and to the operating across the Adriatic from torpedoed in 1940, as was HMS Medway right is, I believe, a French Duguay Durres to Ancona and Bari as Bridge. in 1942, and HMS Curacoa was sunk Trouin class light cruiser (probably not Her longevity shows the durability after a collision with RMS Queen Mary La Motte-Picquet). Below and to the of a well-built Australian vessel, which in 1942. It is probable that some of the right of this ship is a US heavy cruiser, is still operating on a regular basis

60 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com READERS’ PAGES

British zoologist John Graham Kerr, Mintha, sistership of Minthame, seen in 1947. who is often credited with ‘creating’ Dazzle camou age, in a 1914 letter to First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill explained that ‘disruptive camou age’ was to confuse, not conceal: ‘It is essential to break up the regularity of outline and that can be easily effected by strong contrasting shades. A giraffe or zebra or jaguar looks extraordinarily conspicuous In a museum, but in nature, especially when moving, is wonderfully dif cult to pick up.’ As in nature, dazzle patterns were individual to a vessel. It was introduced during World War I by the Royal Navy, followed by the US Navy after its entry into the Irrawaddy’s Glasgow connection remembered war, but the effectiveness of dazzle I was intrigued to read in Ships Mail demolitions team were given the task more thorough job, the Company camou age was never thoroughly (SM, Feb) a request from John Allan of scuttling ships on the Irrawaddy would have had more new ships to evaluated. It was also used by the Royal for information on the Irrawaddy River to prevent them being used build. Some fathers are never happy. and US Navies in World War II, as well Paddle Steamers built by Yarrow & Co by the Japanese, in what was known In 1947 Yarrow built the side- as to a lesser extent by the Imperial in Glasgow. Yarrow’s connection with as ‘an act of denial’. Since his father, wheelers Mintha, Minthame, Mingalay Japanese Navy and Kriegsmarine. the Irrawaddy goes back to 1876, Sir Harold Yarrow, ran a shipbuilding and Minlat for the Irrawaddy Flotilla With the advent of technology, when a sternwheeler was built at company, Eric was selected to lead Co. The vessel pictured in SM is naval aviation, range nders and radar, the Company’s London yard for King the team to scuttle the vessels, and Minthame, now renamed Myat dazzle camou age was less effective, Thibaw of Burma. he did just that. Yadana. She is the last remaining and by mid-1944 the US Navy directed A second order for a sternwheeler In 1946 Eric Yarrow returned to paddle steamer in Myanmar, and has that only its vessels operating in the was placed with the Yard in 1886, Scotland and joined his father at been meticulously restored to run Atlantic would retain their dazzle but this time the customer was the Yarrow & Co in Glasgow. Almost trips on the Ayeyarwaddy River. camou age, with those moved to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Co. The IFC was immediately, the Company’s Iain B. Murray, Ex Yarrow Shipyard Paci c repainted in US Navy Grey. Scottish-owned, and was managed relationship with the IFC was restarted, Dave Kalata by P. Henderson & Co from Glasgow. as they needed to replace the ships Coppell, USA Following their relocation to Glasgow destroyed during the evacuation in in 1906, Yarrow built a further 1942, and the company received an Adelaide not Melbourne 12 sternwheelers, all for the IFC, order for new ships: six screw-driven I have been an avid reader of Ships between 1908 and 1920. ships and four side-wheelers. Monthly for many years and always During World War II the young Eric It turned out that the IFC had look forward to the next publication. Yarrow, a Major in the Royal Engineers, managed to repair some of their In the article on Australian shipbuilding was stationed in Burma. In 1942, as damaged vessels. Eric recounted to (SM, Nov 2015), the ASC shipyard at the Japanese advanced, the Allied me that his father had been rather ABOVE The main engines for the side Osborne is said to be near Melbourne, forces were forced to evacuate critical of his efforts to blow up the wheelers being assembled in the which is the capital of Victoria. the peninsula. The Royal Engineer’s ships in 1942. If only he had done a Engine Shop at Scotstoun. Actually Osborne is closer to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. submarines and follow-on destroyers. September 1939 by Crichton-Vulkan Faroes service. After a major engine The distance from Osborne to Adelaide Osborne has an excellent setup and is for Finland Line. In 1944 she was sold breakdown in 1969, she was scrapped. is 15 miles (24km) and to Melbourne ready to go, but the politics of these to Rederi Svea of Stockholm on the According to my father she was an 452 miles (726km). A battle is raging matters is not straightforward. understanding that she would be sold excellent sea vessel and good time- as to which state will build both the Denis Robinson on to Bergen Line after the war. keeper, but her seven-cylinder Krupp North eld, South Australia In October 1945 she undertook oil engine was heavy on fuel. her maiden voyage from Bergen to Douglas Brekke Astrea memories Newcastle, repatriating Norwegian Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Your article on crossing to Finland citizens who had escaped from (SM, Feb) and Astrea (3,190gt) brought occupied Norway during the war, Royal Mail Ship Sabor back memories of my early days living including my father, who had joined Regarding Tom Wreford’s request in Bergen. I travelled frequently on the Free Norwegian Army in Scotland for information about the carrying Astrea between there and Newcastle after escaping with Shetlands Larsen of a locomotive (SM, Feb), the ship from 1948 to 1953. My rst crossing, on one of the Shetland Bus vessels. in question is Sabor (II) of the Royal when I was three months old, was to In 1946 Astrea started a weekly Mail line. She was one of eight ships visit my mother’s Scottish family – not Bergen-Haugesund-Stavanger- of the Sabre class, all of which were that I remember it! My father was a Newcastle service. In 1953 she was built as Standard B type ships. She was technician in the electrical department replaced by Leda and was transferred launched on 24 January 1920 as War of Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab to the Bergen-Rotterdam service. She Whale II and she was torpedoed in the (Bergen Line) and sailed on Astrea as was sold in 1967 to P/F Skipafelagid Indian Ocean in 1943, when en route The steamship Astrea travelled relief radio of cer, as he did on Venus. Føroyar Torshavn as Tjaldur (meaning from Mombasa to Rio de Janeiro. on by Douglas Brekke. Astrea was launched on 16 Oystercatcher) for the Copenhagen- Duncan Haws, Gosport, Hants

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 61 April ports of call Compiled by Donna and Andrew Cooke

Date Arr/dep Ship From/to Flag Operator GT Date Arr/dep Ship From/to Flag Operator GT SOUTHAMPTON FALMOUTH 1 0630/1630 Azura Caribbean/Iberia BA P&O 115,055 12 0830/2045 Boudicca x /Madeira BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 3 0730/1730 Balmoral x /Lisbon BA Fred. Olsen 43,537 22 0800/1800 Aidavita La Coruna/St Peter Port IT AIDA 42,289 4 0930/2130 Aidamar Hamburg/Le Havre IT AIDA 71,304 23 0800/1600 Saga Pearl II Southampton/St Nazaire MA Saga 18,627 5 0800/1600 Saga Pearl II x /Ferrol MA Saga 18,627 24 0730/1930 Boudicca Lisbon/Liverpool BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 6 0630/1630 Oriana Eastern Med/Caribbean BA P&O 69,840 DARTMOUTH 6 0700/1000 Rotterdam La Coruna/Rotterdam NL HAL 61,849 16 0800/1600 Nat. Geog. Explorer x / x BA Lindblad 6,471 8 0630/1630 Ventura Canary Islands/Western Med BA P&O 116,017 8 0630/1630 Azura Iberia/Greek Islands BA P&O 115,055 KIRKWALL 10 0600/1800 Britannia Western Med/Western Med SOU P&O 143,730 16 0800/1400 Astoria Stornoway/Honfleur MAD CMV 16,144 11 0630/1200 Boudicca Maderia/ x BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 18 0800/1800 Marco Polo Tilbury/Stornoway BA CMV 22,080 11 0800/1200 Saga Sapphire Gibraltar/Falmouth MA Saga Cruises 37,049 26 1000/1800 Astoria Thorshavn/Stornoway MAD CMV 16,144 11 0900/ x Ovation of the Seas x / x BA RCI 167,800 28 x / x Boudicca Liverpool/Invergordon BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 11 0930/2130 Aidamar Hamburg/Le Havre IT AIDA 71,304 30 0800/1700 MSC Splendida Invergordon/Greenock PA MSC 137,936 16 0500/1600 Emerald Princess Spain & Portugal BA Princess 113,561 STORNOWAY 16 0730/1730 Balmoral Ferrol/Ponta Delgada BA Fred. Olsen 43,537 15 0700/1900 Astoria Tobermory/Kirkwall MAD CMV 16,144 16 0800/2000 World Odyssey x / x BA Semester at S 22,498 19 0700/1900 Marco Polo Kirkwall/Tobermory BA CMV 22,080 16 0900/1700 Ovation of the Seas France & Belgium BA RCI 167,800 26 0900/1700 Astor Invergordon/Tobermory BA 20,704 18 0930/2130 Aidamar Hamburg/Le Havre IT AIDA 71,304 27 0700/1900 Astoria Kirkwall/Tobermory MAD CMV 16,144 22 Ventura Western Med/Canary Islands BA P&O 116,017 22 0700/1630 Ovation of the Seas France & Spain BA RCI 167,800 TOBERMORY 22 0800/1600 Saga Pearl II Gibraltar/Falmouth MA Saga 18,627 10 x / x Hebridean Princess Skye/ Isle of Eriska GLA Heb Island Cr 2,112 23 0630/1630 Britannia Western Med/Norway SOU P&O 143,730 14 0900/1700 Astoria Bristol/Stornoway MAD CMV 16,144 23 0500/1630 Emerald Princess Portugal/Channel Islands BA Princess 113,561 20 0700/1700 Marco Polo Stornoway/Dublin BA CMV 22,080 23 0600/1700 Celebrity Silhouette x /Scandinavia MA Celebrity 122,210 27 0900/1900 Astor Stornoway/Dublin BA 20,704 24 0800/2000 MSC Splendida x /Le Havre PA MSC 137,936 28 0800/1700 Astoria Stornoway/Bristol MAD CMV 16,144 25 0600/1630 Azura Eastern Med/Western Europe BA P&O 115,055 PORTSMOUTH 25 0930/2130 Aidamar Hamburg/Le Havre IT AIDA 71,304 15 0700/1830 Minerva St Malo/Rouen BA ALH 12,892 26 0630/1630 Aurora Atlantic Islands/Eastern Med BA P&O 76,152 19 0800/1800 Amadea Hamburg/La Coruna BA Phoenix Reisen 29,008 26 0500/1630 Emerald Princess Channel Islands/Canary Islands BA Princess 113,561 27 0700/2000 Albatros Tresco/Bremerhaven BA Phoenix Reisen 28,518 27 0800/2000 MSC Musica Vigo/Zeebrugge PA MSC 92,409 28 0800/1600 Minerva St Malo/Kiel Canal BA ALH 12,892 29 0700/1630 Ovation of the Seas France & Belgium/ x BA RCI 167,800 LERWICK 30 0630/1630 Britannia Norway/Western Europe SOU P&O 143,730 30 0630/1630 Azura Western Europe/Norway BA P&O 115,055 24 0900/1800 Astoria Portree/Torshavn MAD CMV 16,144 30 x / x Celebrity Eclipse x /Norwegian Fjords MA Celebrity 121,878 30 0900/1800 Aidavita Invergordon/Thorshavn IT AIDA 42,289 ST PETER PORT DOVER 1 0700/1700 Braemar x /Stavanger BA Fred. Olsen 24,344 2 x / x Azura Southampton/La Coruna BA P&O 115,055 10 0700/1700 Braemar Arendal/Kiel Canal BA Fred. Olsen 24,344 19 0700/2000 Astoria Honfleur/Tresco MAD CMV 16,144 16 0700/1700 Braemar Honfleur/La Rochelle BA Fred. Olsen 24,344 22 x / x Emerald Princess La Rochelle/Southampton BA Princess 113,561 24 0930/2130 AIDAvita Guernsey/IJmuiden IT AIDA 42,289 23 0800/1800 Marco Polo Isle of Scilly/Honfleur BA CMV 22,080 25 0700/1700 Braemar Rouen/Flensburg BA Fred. Olsen 24,344 23 0800/1700 AIDAvita Falmouth/Dover IT AIDA 42,289 30 0700/1900 L’Austral x /London FR Ponant Cruises 10,944 25 x / x Emerald Princess Southampton BA Princess 113,561 26 x / x Azura Southampton/Amsterdam BA P&O 115,055 DUBLIN TILBURY 21 0900/1700 Marco Polo Tobermory/Tresco BA CMV 22,080 1 x / x Magellan Norwegian Fjords/Newcastle BA CMV 46,052 PORTREE 4 x / x Marco Polo Rouen/Ulvik BA CMV 22,080 23 0900/1400 Astoria Bristol/Lerwick MAD CMV 16,144 10 x / x Marco Polo Bergen/Ulvik BA CMV 22,080 LIVERPOOL 16 x / 1600 Marco Polo Norwegian Fjords/Kirkwall BA CMV 22,080 26 x / x Boudicca Falmouth/Kirkwall BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 23 x / x Astor Lisbon/Invergordon BA CMV 20,704 25 0800/1600 Marco Polo Honfleur/Ulvik BA CMV 22,080 Small Ship Calls GREENWICH Hebridean Princess 1 Colonsay; 2 Iona; 3 Coll; 4 Salen; 5 Oban; 6 Port Ellen; 7 Iona; 8 Skye; 9 Skye; 11 Isle of Eriska; 12 Oban; 13 Muck; 14 Skye; 15 Gairloch; 16 Plockton; 17 Skye; 18 Lochaline; 19 Oban; 20th-25 TBC; 26 27-8 x / x Viking Star Le Havre/Haugesund NO Viking Cruises 47,842 Oban; 27 Rum; 28 Raasay; 29 Gairloch; 30 Ullapool POOL OF LONDON FLAG CODES BA Bahamas, FR France, IT Italy, MA Malta, MAD Madeira, NL Netherlands, NO Norway, PA Panama, 30/4 x / May L’Austral Dover/Ostend FR Ponant Cruises 10,944 SOU Southampton NB This information is given in good faith, but might change, and Ships Monthly cannot NEWCASTLE be held responsible for any changes to ship arrivals or departures that may occur NOTES x details not known 02 1200/2000 Magellan Majestic Fjordland BA CMV 46,052 09 0800/1700 Magellan Majestic Fjordland BA CMV 46,052 16 0800/2000 Magellan Fjordland Splendour BA CMV 46,052 Marco Polo is aregular 24 0800/1700 Magellan Iceland & Northern Isles BA CMV 46,052 visitor to UK ports. INVERGORDON 25 0800/1800 Astor Tilbury/Stornoway BA 20,704 29 0800/2000 Boudicca Kirkwall/Scrabster BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 29 0800/1900 MSC Splendida Norwegian Fjords/Norwegian Fj PA MSC 137,936 29 0800/1800 Aidavita Hamburg/Lerwick IT AIDA 42,289 BRISTOL (Avonmouth) 12 x / 2200 Astoria x /Tobermory MAD CMV 16,144 21 0800/1800 Astoria Tresco/Scottish Islands BA CMV 16,144 30 0230/x Astoria Tobermory/ MAD CMV 16,144 SCRABSTER 30 x / x Boudicca Invergordon/Tobermory BA Fred. Olsen 28,551 DUNDEE 3 1045/2300 Magellan Newcastle/Ulvik BA CMV 46,052 10 0400/1600 Magellan Newcastle/Flam BA CMV 46,052 17 1115/2330 Magellan Newcastle/Ulvik BA CMV 46,052 25 0400/1745 Magellan Newcastle/Flam BA CMV 46,052 ISLES OF SCILLY 01 1300/1800 Marco Polo Avonmouth/Honfleur BA CMV 22,080 20 0700/1700 Astoria Guernsey/Bristol MAD CMV 16,144 22 0900/1800 Marco Polo Dublin/St Peter Port BA CMV 22,080 26 0700/1400 Albatros Cork/Portsmouth BA Phoenix Reisen 28,518 29 0900/1400 Astor Dublin/Honflaur BA 20,704

62 • April 2016 • www.shipsmonthly.com READERS’ PAGES ships library

resulted in a signi cant decline in the numbers of sailors passing through. The book serves as a tribute to the of many thousands of crew members book who served on the old vessels. All the photographs are by the the author, and were taken during his work month at the port as a shipwright, then as a complete year for a stevedore, and illustrate the huge The Union-Castle the Cunard Line, but range of shipping which used the port, Line: Sailing Like the title is confusing, from reefer and general cargo vessels, as only a third of to domestic and foreign ag bulkships Clockwork the book covers this topic. This core company’s position in the market, carrying concentrates and other Mike Roussel and of the volume, which is divided into disposing of most of the cargo minerals, as well as heavylift vessels Sam Warwick the four seasons, is also somewhat eet’, whereas the 1970s was in fact serving Tasmania’s extensive hydro- Published by The History Press, confusing, as it contains a jumble of a renaissance for the company’s electric power schemes, car carriers, The Mill, Brinscombe Port Stroud, facts which seem to have little to do cargo eet, with the introduction ro-ro ferries and a diversity of visiting Gloucestershire GL5 2QG, www. with each season. of several new tankers, reefers and naval and deep sea shing vessels. thehistorypress.co.uk, 192-page The remainder of the volume container ships. Although focused on the port, this hardback, price £25 plus postage consists of an overview of the current Despite these reservations, it is a volume is a worthy re ection of global eet and a potted history of the nicely produced book, with a variety shipping prior to the changes caused This book is one of a number which company. The history in particular of interesting photographs, which by the ‘box boat’ revolution. AB were published in 2015 to coincide is not very comprehensive and could possibly have been better used • First Published December 2012 with the 175th anniversary of the contains misleading facts, such as in a larger format, in a photographic by the author at PO Box 352 founding of Cunard Line. This one the statement that Trafalgar House book which focussed solely on the Beauty Point, Tasmania 7270. www. is promoted as a ‘guided tour’ of ‘wasted no time in consolidating the current Cunard eet. PN portdalrympleshipping.wordpress. com, ISBN 978-0-9871085-4-82, 96 pages, softback, price (including and after the amalgamation of the P&P to the UK) A$70. operations of the MacBrayne and Caledonian Steam Packet eets. For the coastal steamer and ferry enthusiast, this is a useful volume and provides an interesting background to today’s successful operations of Caledonian MacBrayne. AB • Published by Amberley Publishing, The Hill, Merrywalks, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4EP. www. Chunnel Beaters: The West Highland amberley-books.com, 96 pages, Pride of Dover and Steamers: A Pictorial paperback, £14.99, also available in the Pride of Calais Record 1967-2007 Kindle, Kobo and iBook formats. British Warships & John Hendy The West Highland Auxiliaries Steamer Club Steve Bush In 1987 Townsend Thoresen’s Pride of Dover and Pride of Calais were the The West Highland Steamer Club The 37ft annual edition of Britsih rst of a new generation of super- was formed in 1967 by a group of Warships & Auxiliaries has just been ferry, their owner’s response to the enthusiasts who followed the activities published. The book begins with a building of the Channel Tunnel, and and operations of David MacBrayne’s review of the state of the Royal Navy, thus labelled the ‘Chunnel Beaters’. eet of vessels in Scotland’s Western followed by sections detailing the Sadly, their entry into service was Isles. This volume is an illustration of eets of the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet overshadowed by the English those operations and consists of 150 Auxiliary and support vessels, all with Channel’s worst ever ferry disaster. mainly colour photographs, which Port Dalrymple pennant numbers and silhouettes. It New owners P&O lost little time in are accompanied by detailed captions Shipping 1973 to 1980 follows the same format as previous creating P&O European Ferries and the describing the vessels operated by the Bob Silberberg editions, with each entry including a new ships enjoyed illustrious careers. company over the 40 years since the colour photograph, together with a This well-produced account of the two Club was formed. Most of the photos Port Dalrymple, on the north coast of class listing, technical speci cations ships contains an impressive selection were taken by two prominent long- Tasmania facing Australia’s notorious and brief notes. Similar sections cover of photos to accompany the detailed standing enthusiasts, regrettably now Bass Strait, is a relatively little-known the aircraft and weapons operated text, part of which includes a year-by- late members of the club. port. It is positioned at the entrance to by the Royal Navy. It is the standard year account of the ships’ service. NL The book provides a glorious the Tamar River and serves as the port reference guide to the Royal Navy. EF-L • Published by Ferry Publications, compilation of unique photographs for Launceston, 35 miles upriver. • Published by Maritime Books Ltd, PO Box 33, Ramsey, Isle of Man set in a range of picturesque locations This book is a pictorial celebration Lodge Hill, Liskeard PL14 4EL, tel IM99 4LP; tel 01624 898445, info@ throughout the Highlands and Islands. of conventional shipping serving the 01579 343663, email ian@navybooks. lilypublications.co.uk, 60-page They show MacBrayne’s ships now long port for the ten years prior to the com, www.navybooks.com, 120 softback, price £9.95 plus postage. gone, re ecting times both before introduction of containerisation, which pages, price £8.99.

www.shipsmonthly.com • April 2016 • 63 Mystery Ship

This month’s mystery ship is an old warship that looks as if she is being towed away for scrapping. But no name or number is visible, so which ship is it? What is her identity? Where, and when,was the photo taken? When was the vessel originally built, and with which navy did she serve? What was her ultimate fate? Was she scrapped or was she preserved?

Send answers, including a postal address, by email to [email protected], or by post to Mystery Ship, Ships Monthly, Kelsey Publishing, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berrys Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG.

February’s mystery ships

The February Mystery Ship feature Rosyth during her career. She was in Architect until early 1971, when I left Anthony Heard wrote: I believe asked for identification of two a poor state when she was sold to to work on The Motor Ship. Holmes the Mystery Ship (above left) could be craft seen in Manchester. Peter private owners and it is good to see built three other 75-footers: Denmead, the former fishing vessel Monleigh, Sommerville, of Greenock, wrote: her looking in such good condition.’ Fulbeck and Loyal Factor. We also which has been at various places ‘Cricklade (above right) is an ex RMAS John Barnes, of Bromley, agrees: built six 100ft Insect class tenders awaiting conversion including Fleet Tender of the same name ‘One of the mystery ships is the former for the RMAS: Bee, Cricket, Gnat, Plymouth, Dartmouth and Bideford. (pendant number A381). She was built RMAS 75ft fleet tender Cricklade. Ladybird, Cicala and Scarab, and the A stablemate of hers is being brought as a Clovelly class tender in 1971 and She was built by Charles D. Holmes three Roysterer fleet tugs for RMAS: back to life at Bideford after being served in Portland, Greenock and (No.1026), where I was Assistant Naval Roysterer, Rollicker and Robust.’ rescued from an Appledore scrapyard.

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www.shipsmonthly.com • April2016 • 65 THE LAST WORD

Captain Alistair Clark, master of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, talks to Paul Brown about his career during a Baltic cruise taking in Hamburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Kiel and Zeebrugge.

AWhat attracted you toie a Which ships have you served on? Cunard traditions, but in a modern bicycle with me and like to cycle when career at sea? My rst of cer appointment was on way. The Cunard brand and tradition the ship is in port. Back home, I catch I did not come from a seafaring family, Arcadia, and I spent many years with is a great attraction, not just to our up with my wife and two children, aged having been born in Amersham, Princess Cruises on the west coast British markets but also to our key 16 and 14, near Southampton; I enjoy Buckinghamshire, and going to school of the USA as a junior of cer. In 1991 I international markets, such as the gardening and leave instructions on in Potters Bar. I enjoyed sailing as a was transferred to the P&O eet and USA, Germany and Japan. The crew are what has to be done while I am away, leisure pursuit and thought about Canberra, and rose through the ranks, very proud of the ship and enjoy work although they might not always be becominghe a ship’s of cer. P&O had Bidgeventually being promoted to staff on board, which pays off in customer followed to the letter! an attractive training programme, captain in 1995. In 1999 I was appointed service and staff retention. and I joined the company in 1974 as newbuild staff captain to stand by as a deck cadet. My initial training Aurora at the Meyer Werft shipyard, What are the challenges was undertaken in Liverpool at the and was the rst staff captain on her of your job? Riversdale Nautical School, and I served maiden voyage. During this maiden The amount of work involved in keeping on a variety of cargo and passenger season I was promoted to captain. up with changes in regulations and ships in the P&O eet. On qualifying as Since then I have commanded Victoria, technology has grown enormously. This a deck of cer in 1978, I decided to join Oceana, Crown Princess, Dawn Princess, was not quite what I imagined when passenger ships. Ventura (including standing by during I embarked on my career as a ship’s her building), Azura and Oriana. Then I of cer. Carnival Corporation (owner of Why did passenger ships appeal? worked with the Carnival Corporation 104 ships, including those in the Cunard It was the end of the liner era and I training facility and bridge simulator and P&O eets) is committed to reducing wanted to experience that. I preferred in Amsterdam, and visited Cunard and its carbon footprint, but that is dif cult life as an of cer on a passenger liner or P&O ships to undertake speci c bridge when the life of a ship is 25 years and cruise ship, because the ports visited training. In 2012 I was appointed master technological improvements are best are much more interesting than those of Queen Elizabeth. incorporated at the time of building. by cargo ships, and the contact with passengers adds interest. But it was a What are the special attractions How do you relax on ship risky option, because everyone thought of Queen Elizabeth? and shore? at the time that passenger ships were The interior of the ship is fabulous, A cruise is very busy, and there is little on the way out. and we absolutely adhere to the time for relaxation. However, I bring my

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