Barber Perseus

[makko]

Going, going, gone.....

Intrigued by the recent pictures of Blue Funnel Libertys, many of which I had never heard of, I decided to check out Red Duster which had in fact been updated and there were all the Liberty ships........Passing to other more recent vessels which I served on, knew etc. I noticed that Barber Perseus which went to Wilhelmsen after Blue Funnel pulled out of the Barber Blue Sea consortium in 1988 and, with whom she traded as the Talabot was delivered to Changjiang Shipbreaking Yard at Jiangyin, China on 23 April 2009.

These were great, great vessels. Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at Nagasaki, Japan with a tonnage of 21747grt, a length of 749ft 7in, a beam of 105ft 10in and a service speed of 20.5 knots. Sister of the Barber Priam she was launched on 7th February 1979 and delivered in the following June to Speakshaw Ltd with Ocean Fleets as managers. Their full capacity, albeit 20´TEU was 6000 units and the air draught impressive. Even in comparison to todays mega box boats, these were big vessels and extremely flexible. The Perseus had some lows including engine trouble and dropping the stern ramp. I was never on her, I served on Priam.

Thirty years was not a bad innings for a "modern" ship! Barber Priam is still with the US Sealift Command, but for how long?

Regards,
Dave

[Pat Kennedy]

Dave,
I heard that Cape Henry, as she is now named, is in the ready reserve fleet, and could be there for years.
Regards,
Pat

[makko]

Hi Pat,
Yes I was aware of Cape Henry. On a visit to San Francisco in late 1999, I did a double take on a grey RoRo - I subsequently learned that it was B. Priam. Its strange how you recognize your old ships, and I must say, Priam was my favourite! It would be interesting to compare the build cost/operating cost versus their earnings over time. I'll bet that these were great money earners.

As an aside, top speed (with the Gulf Stream) was 28+ kts on B. Priam!
Rgds.
Dave

[Pat Kennedy]

Dave,
I am envious that you sailed on her. By all accounts a superb ship, and as you said a while back, fully equipped with fork lift trucks and a big crane. Toys for boys!
She wasnt in San Francisco when I was there in 2004, I think they had reactivated her for the Middle East and put her in the pre-positioned group.

By the way, I'm taking some more pics of old Wallasey and Birkenhead pubs over the weekend, any particular one you would like to see?
Best Regards,
Pat

[Frank P]

My brother Ray flew out to Japan and sailed on the Barber Priam on her maiden voyage, he said that she was an excellent ship.

Cheers Frank

[makko]

That she was, Frank. An excellent sea ship. Unfortunately, Mrs. Makko refused to sail on her (claimed she was getting seasick in Los Angeles port!). And if I may be a bit presumptive, great crews!
Rgds.
Dave