manchester quest

1st time I've seen this one & a strange looking design to. Is she a converted tanker to bulk or was she built as is?

Pat, she was originally built as Manchester Miller for Manchester Liners by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, in 1959 and was designed with engines aft and bridge amidships. 9,297 GRT, 468ft LOA, Breadth 62' with 2 steam turbines giving her a service speed of 17 knots. The twin rather spindly twin-funnel arrangement was part of the design. In 1971 she went to Smith's Dock for conversion to a cellular container ship and was renamed Manchester Quest. Her slightly odd appearance probably stems from the conversion although her origional design always looked a bit quirky to me. She went to the breakers in 1976.
Regards,
Alastair

You would't get containers stacked very high on the forward deck with that low bridge house

Thanks for that Alistair. I agree with you about the containers too Tom, even 2 high would have looked weird?

Haven't seen many pics of this one. Very interesting - thanks.

I thought she was converted at Smith's Dock, Middlesbrough. I went down to join her just before Christmas very early '70s, but she was still in pieces so it never happened - had a pint in the Junction and went home. Maybe it was a drydocking after the conversion.

John T.

Sorry John, you're quite right she was converted at Smiths Dock, I missed a line reading the source material, ageing grey cells again. Thanks for pointing out my error. I've corrected my posting.
Regards,
Alastair

She was a bit of a dinosaur from the moment she was converted. As others have pointed out, she couldn't load many containers on deck due to the low bridge house. Her total teu capacity was considerably lower than many similar sized purpose built ships that were being delivered in the 1970s. Consequently, she was uneconomical and only lasted another five years. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the low container capacity of the Manchester Liners ships - designed with their low air draught Manchester Ship Canal capability - ultimately led to their downfall as they couldn't compete with the larger more efficient ships operating on other Europe- Atlantic routes. I don't know how true this is, maybe someone knows more?

HI Ship Mates I sailed out on her i 75 did 3 trips 2 over to monty and 1 to new york. land she was a ***** to be on she used to roll in the ship canel and i have got the scars to prove it. lol

But good trips all the same.

ps shiped a few green ones going across the pond.

mike.

Me Again The Crew Mess Was in the aft accom as was the crew bar. the officers accom was amid ships as was the gally.

mike ob