[msalter]

Does anyone have any official information regarding the sinking of the Clan Keith through an explosion off the coast of Malta in November 1961 leading to such an horrific loss of life?

[Duncan112]

There was a Board of Trade inquiry, unfortunately not available on line - (or at least I can't find it) the National Archives or British Library will have a copy, as will some Nautical Colleges (Southampton and South Shields have full sets) Only on line reference is

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/l...9611116_HOL_81

[borderreiver]

I believe she hit a rock in foggy weather.
Some years ago took over the 4 to 8 watch Looked through the bridge windows saw breakers dead ahead. Called the old man. adjusted course by 90 degrees. made the rest of the squadron do the same then checked ships position.The previous watch had missed a chart any how got a fix and saw it was the Clan Keith reef.
Later on a tanker in thick fog We wanted to change course for collision avoidance but the rock was in the way so did a 360 turn.

[BillH]

Originally Posted by msalter

Does anyone have any official information regarding the sinking of the Clan Keith through an explosion off the coast of Malta in November 1961 leading to such an horrific loss of life?

There was no explosion. She was wrecked. The following is from the CD Book "From Clans to Kings and Castles - The Cayzer, Irvine Group".

CLAN KEITH (2nd of name in fleet)
O.N. 167858. 7,174g. 4,272n. 425.1 x 57.0 x 34.8 feet.
T.3-cyl. (24½", 37" & 70" x 48") engine made by the General Machinery Corporation, Hamilton, Ohio. 2,500 IHP.
14.5.1942: Launched as OCEAN VERITY by the Permanente Metals Corporation, Shipyard No. 1., Richmond, California (Yard No. 24) for the United States War Shipping Administration.
6.1942: Completed for lease to The Ministry of War Transport, (A. Holt & Company, Liverpool, appointed as managers thence their subsidiary - Glen Line Ltd., London).
1946: Chartered by The Clan Line Steamers Ltd., (Cayzer, Irvine & Company Ltd., managers).
1948: Purchased by The Clan Line Steamers Ltd., (same managers), and renamed CLAN KEITH.
5.11.1961: Whilst on a voyage from Middlesbrough to Colombo, via Malta, with general cargo, struck the Ecueils des Sorelles Rocks, near Cape Bon, 11 miles south from Galita Island, Tunisia, during a gale. The vessel, which grounded in heavy seas and poor visibility, broke in two. The afterpart sank the same day and the forepart the next. There were only six survivors from her crew, of 68, five of these being picked up by DURHAM TRADER (6,214g./59). When her Captain was rescued he stated that when the vessel was in a position 37.15 N., 95.0 E., there had been a huge explosion that had broken the vessel in two.
However, during the inquiry into the incident he was on 26.5.1963 found to be at fault for allowing his vessel to be lost on the rocks.

[Hugh MacLean]

There is some information in the Times. If you would like to pass on your email address via PM I can send you the cuttings by email.

Regards

[msalter]

Thanks to everyone for helping me to understand this vessel's loss

[Bob McManamon]

Just browsing the site and saw your enquiry about Clan Keith. I realise a considerable time has elapsed since your original enquiry, but I hope the following information will be of some interest.

I was in the vicinity at the time of the accident, serving as radio officer on SS Kent (Trident Tankers), returning to UK from Banias (Syria).

The gale overnight was very powerful and the Kent received some heavy damage to the after accommodation block. A steel ladder down to the main deck had completely carried away on the starboard side, and a similar one on the port side had become detached from the deck and bent almost vertically upwards. On the second deck up, a wave had punched out a complete window (maybe two) approximately on the centreline. The sea had then rushed across a lounge/foyer area, breaking off two swing doors to the dining saloon and generally created havoc within – this being well above sea level.

On the Clan Keith, if it were possible, the radio officer would have sent an “alarm signal” which would ring a bell in the radio officer’s cabin on all ships within range. The bell continues ringing until the radio officer gets to the radio room to receive the subsequent distress message. As I remember, our respective positions would have probably been within radio range under good conditions. But I received no such alarm overnight, so maybe the Clan Keith’s radio officer was unable to transmit, or the radio conditions at the time prevented my own ship from receiving it.

As I recall, soon after coming on watch in the morning, I received a distress “relay” call from the Durham Trader which had found a lifeboat containing the master and four crew members. I do not know whether Durham Trader had previously received a distress call from Clan Keith or whether it found the lifeboat by chance. By this time, the Kent had passed the position where it could have been practicable to assist in the search for survivors, and a number of other vessels were already being engaged for this purpose, so Kent continued on voyage.

I hope this has been of some assistance. Regards

Bob McManamon