[Doxfordman]

This old girl, affectionatly known as "Queen of the Gulf" was a terrific ship. Great time with superb people, and of course a 5 cyl Doxford with all steam aux's.

[tom e kelso]

Having been introduced to Ships Nostalgia by George Taylor, I have chosen the Dwarka as my introduction to this Group, having joined her in London, July 1947 where she was loading for her maiden voyage to Bombay. I was "new" too, being a first trip cadet. I was to remain in this ship for just over a year, during which Dwarka "bedded" herself into the run which she maintained for the following 35 years! Although the number of ports on this service was reduced in later years, initially the 3-week round trip from Bombay called at Karachi, Gwadur, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abadan, Basra, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Gwadur and Karachi. When new she carried about 50 cabin passengers and up to about 1500 "deck passengers" (depending on the Monsoon season) as well as mail and general cargo. Dwarka maintained the service with three sisterships, Dumra, Dara and Daressa.

Regards

Tom

[tanker]

They were three sisters DWARKA ,DUMRA and DARESSA interesting ships this single screw M/V, 1100 passeng. and a speed of 14 Knots.

[Doxfordman]

I was a first trip 4th Eng on Dwarka, she had a 5 cly Doxford LBD main engine with all steam auxiliaries, 2 x 30 ton scotch boilers. Stand by of which there were many was like being in a sauna, the poor old condensors could not keep up the pace with all of the steam recips in the ER and on deck. Hot and very hard work but a great crowd of blokes. Happy days!!
Doxfordman.

[Doug Rogers]

They were great ships, would like a quid for each time I had been on board one or other of them in various places. They were relatively long lived but I seem to remember that one of them came to grief after a number of years. Possibly a collision or something?, the brain box has let me down and I cant find anything on it to confirm my thoughts.
Doug

[Doug Rogers]

Ah yes, thank you for that, it all comes back now. I knew there was something but I couldnt put it in context. Very sad end for a nice ship, and thats to say nothing of the loss of life!!.

[johndalgliesh]

The ship in question was the Dara which sunk off the port of Dubai on 10th April 1961 with the loss of 238 lives

[RhodaGarg]

i would like to see picture / image of m v daressa

[RhodaGarg]

Originally Posted by tom e kelso

Having been introduced to Ships Nostalgia by George Taylor, I have chosen the Dwarka as my introduction to this Group, having joined her in London, July 1947 where she was loading for her maiden voyage to Bombay. I was "new" too, being a first trip cadet. I was to remain in this ship for just over a year, during which Dwarka "bedded" herself into the run which she maintained for the following 35 years! Although the number of ports on this service was reduced in later years, initially the 3-week round trip from Bombay called at Karachi, Gwadur, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abadan, Basra, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Gwadur and Karachi. When new she carried about 50 cabin passengers and up to about 1500 "deck passengers" (depending on the Monsoon season) as well as mail and general cargo. Dwarka maintained the service with three sisterships, Dumra, Dara and Daressa.

Regards

Tom

i would appreciate if you could throw some light on m v daressa

[tom e kelso]

DARESSA joined the BI fleet from the builder's yard on 27.06.1950. Depite being the newest of the the quartette of what was known as the Fast Gulf "D's" (the Slow Gulf service finished in 1948), she was the first to go, being sold to Marivic Navigation Inc. in August 1964 who renamed her as FAVORITA. She was sold to Singapore owners in 1968, and again renamed KIM HWA and finally sold for scrapping at Hong Kong in JUly 1974

Tom

[tom e kelso]

For Rhoda Garg

It might be of interest that the name DARESSA was not, unlike the nomenclature of other BI vessels, an actual place name in the sub-continent or African place name, but a corruption of Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania

Regards

Tom

[cambria49]

I recall, as a kid, watching an excellent BBC documentary on the Dwarka - I wonder if anyone might have a DVD of this??

[John Briggs]

Cambria49,

I have a DVD of an episode of "The World About Us" called an Arabian voyage which is all about the Dwarka. It was made in 1979 and may be the program you are talking about. It brings back some great memories for me as the ship does not seem to have changed since the 50's.

I would be quite happy to make a copy and send it off to you if you wish. Just let me know.

Regards

John Briggs

[cambria49]

John,

That really is very kind of you - I'll PM my address to you!

Thanks!!

Justin

Originally Posted by John Briggs

Cambria49,

I have a DVD of an episode of "The World About Us" called an Arabian voyage which is all about the Dwarka. It was made in 1979 and may be the program you are talking about. It brings back some great memories for me as the ship does not seem to have changed since the 50's.

I would be quite happy to make a copy and send it off to you if you wish. Just let me know.

Regards

John Briggs

[Hugh Ferguson]

Does anyone remember Captain Bell, who I believe,was one time master of the DWARKA?

[tom e kelso]

Hugh,

I have asked around in the BI internet "group" without result.

After retiring from the BI (or P&O?) Captain Bell took up a position on the Cutty Sark. What "rank", I am not sure, but he followed BI presence on the ship after "Hadji" Reid and Donald Bardsley.

Perhaps, if you inquired of the Cutty Sark people, they would be able to help

Salaams,

Tom

[Hugh Ferguson]

Thanks, Tom, I'll try that. Salaams, Hugh.

[Kevin Donoghue]

FAO Tom E Kelso..
Many thanks for the most interesting titbit about the name of the DARESSA (being an ex Dumra & Dwarka engineer, I cannot believe that I didn't know that fact). Best of health to yourself ( having sailed with you on at least 2 occasions - Amra & Meynell possibly) - wonderful memories.

[Hugh Ferguson]

See HERE for first of ten videos on Dwarka. To view all episodes, go to T.V. Passenger and Cruise liner file, pages 4 & 5.

[duquesa]

I believe there was a good article about her and her "then" Master in Sea Breezes many moons ago. Possibly November 1982.

[manowari]

Attached some pix taken on my trip to Karachi in 1982 shortly before her last voyage to the breakers.

[duncs]

Originally Posted by Hugh Ferguson

See HERE for first of ten videos on Dwarka. To view all episodes, go to T.V. Passenger and Cruise liner file, pages 4 & 5.

Thanks for these videos, Hugh. They brought back a few memories. I was on her for 13mths 72/73. Frank Bell was the master at the time that I left. He had relieved Kas Malowski, who had been there a good spell before him.
Regards Duncs