Donga

[Fairfield]

Not exactly an Elder Dempster ship,but in later years,ships of the Henderson Line operated a joint service to West Africa.
This is Henderson/s DONGA,built in 1960 taken in Glasgow in 1979 towards the end of the general cargo era.Across from her is MATANGI ex PORT ST LAWRENCE.

[Ian]

Great contributions to the site Fairfield.................
My old professor at the Watt School used to go on and on about his time with Paddy Henderson. I think he spent a number of years as R/O on the Kentung/MMJK.
You must have quite the collection.
Keep 'em coming. I am using the CALEDONIA on my site. She looks so forlorn just before being scrapped.
Regards from Montreal :thumb: ,
Ian
(Admin).

[Cairo]

I recall in '78 cadet intake the Donga being the base for the females, I was on the Deido on the same run in WA ony a week apart. Caz Shaw and April Locke ring a bell - odd I can't remeber what the guys were called. It was all very above board by the way - just in case any false impressions were raised.

[the_vietnam_bear]

Not exactly an Elder Dempster ship,but in later years,ships of the Henderson Line operated a joint service to West Africa.
This is Henderson/s DONGA,built in 1960 taken in Glasgow in 1979 towards the end of the general cargo era.Across from her is MATANGI ex PORT ST LAWRENCE.

Launched 1960: mv DONGA

mv DONGA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
built by Lithgows Port Glasgow,
Yard No 1133
Engines by J G Kincaid & Co Ltd Greenock
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Last Name: LYDRA 1983
Previous Names: Diamant Merchant 1981
Port of Registry: Limassol
Propulsion: B&W oil engine 2SCSA 4cy 5850bhp 14 knots
Launched: Tuesday, 12/04/1960
Built: 1960
Ship Type: Cargo Vessel
Tonnage: 6559 grt
Length: 465 feet
Breadth: 63 feet 1
Draught: 26 feet 3
Owner History:
British & Burmese Steam Navigation Company Glasgow
Status: Scrapped - 07/10/1983

Remarks: Arrived Alang on above date for scrapping.

Is this the Donga you are referring to

[makko]

Our Cadet intake went on her in Liverpool, about mid 1980 (1st. year) in the company of our Super, Iain Dalgleish.
Rgds.
Dave

[TIM HUDSON]

Was aboard her off Lagos in 1978 using Common Bros 'Note on Owners' to buy as much food (and beer !!) as possible for the mini bulker on which I was serving - 4 months off Lagos awaiting a berth with full cargo sugar. Very friendly and generous crew on Donga if I remember correctly. !

[andyh]

My first ship, very happy memories.........first port of call Banjul [1979) very exotic for a teenager from Chesterfield!!! Captain F M Howe

[R58484956]

Greetings Andyh and welcome to SN. Bon voyage.

[SuperClive]

My last ever ship... Absolutely filthy galley. Joined her to coast as Extra 2/E in Tilbury whilst waiting for my deep sea ship (Cardigan Bay) to get back in port. I was invalided home 3 days after joining - as were several other crew members. 'Something' of W African origin in the water was the verdict. I was off work for 3½ months and India Buildings wouldn't let me back to sea unless I could prove 100% fit - which I couldn't, so jumped ashore...

Unfortunately, very bad memories of this ship.

[Torrance]

I was 3rd Mate on the Donga in 1975 on the West African run, and we had two female cadets at the time, only one I remeber was Wendy Starawaski I think speeling probably wrong.

[Torrance]

Captain Richardson from Cory's and then Captain Alan Railton, Happy days did almost 4 months, so it couldn't have been that bad, I had just arrived from Cory Maritime, via the Hector and Ajax, (they thought we were bulker men), so this was my first Cargo ship. Then on to the Antilochus, now that was old!!