British Gannet

[ruud]

Ahoy,
Another fine shot of the British Gannet 15,500 tons, during her trials on the Clyde,same Company card describtion as the Commerce.
"The British Petroleum Co. Ltd.Photograph"

[gdynia]

Ruud
As follows

built by Blythswood Shipbuilding Company Scotstoun,
Yard No 127
Engines by JG Kincaid & Co Greenock
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Name: NEWHAVEN
Previous Names: HANG JIANG
Propulsion: B&W Oil 2SA 6cy 8600bhp machy aft
Launched: Friday, 05 June 1959
Built: 1959
Ship Type: Tanker
Tonnage: 11238 grt | 15262 dwt
Length: 525 feet 4
Breadth: 69 feet 3
Draught: 29 feet 4
Owner History:
British Tanker Company London
Status: Scrapped - 1983

[John_F]

One of BP's good looking Bird class, I was lucky enough to serve in her as Uncertificated 3/0. Unfortunately, I only did 3 weeks on her before she went to South Shields for her annual drydocking & I was transferred again. 3 vessels in 4 weeks.
Its the best photo that I've seen of her - thanks for posting (again!) Ruud.
Kind regards,
John.

[Gordon L Smeaton]

Sailed on her in 75, just before she was sold to the Chinese for further trading. Still consider this class to be the best that BP ever had

[ruud]

Ahoy mates,
Thanks for the added info/details, and indeed she is a very nice looking girl, a "cracker"(Thumb)

Note: Ain't finished yet, John

[heglig john]

of all the bird class, never heard about the ..British Gull,,stood by her in Govan,,whe she was been built ....sailed on her for 10 month,as 4th eng after sea trials etc,,on the aussie coast...sailed with Greenock crew ,,,,,but lost so many in different ports on the way to Kwinana..mostly fighting etc ,,that we signed on a indian crew,,on our return to the u/k.....

[JamesM]

This was my first ship.Joined her in drydock at Swansea,early Dec.1967.( did'nt know the sharp-end from the blunt-end). First C/E was J.L. Hopper, who had a theory that the best way to adjust the seal plates on the top piston telescopics,to stop them leaking, was to do it with the engine running!!(slow revs. admittedly) He only got me involved in this caper once and I was,to say the least "sh-----g" myself. He also wanted all engineers to carry a shifting spanner in the rule pocket of their overalls on the basis that you could adjust most nuts without having to go to the workshop to fetch the proper size.When he was in the engine-room it was like watching John Wayne,with a six gun on his hip, walk by.
Must mention the 2/E J.P.Sherlock from Birkenhead(staunch Everton fan) who I was on watch with all trip(still there when I paid off in Aug.68) Great bloke.(to put up with me, that is!!)
J.L.Hopper left us after a couple of weeks, to be replaced by S.S.(Steamboat) Ritchie who was on his last trip before retiring.

More about him and the Gannet later.JamesM

[spongebob]

I never thought that a tanker would join my personal gallery of beautiful ships but this bird does

[ron fletcher]

I joined the British Gannet at Wallsend slipway in Jan 1969.We were on the coast for about 10 days then went deep sea until July.I thought it would be a good way to save some cash ......wrong.....after seven months I paid off with only £25.but what a good trip.

[spongebob]

Ron, you must have had a hell of a good time to have paid off with only 25 pounds after 7 months! I did that in 1957 but it was on a passenger ship

[ron fletcher]

Bob a good time was had by all.I went to sea a boy and came back a man.albiet a skint man.