Robert M

Built in HK as 'Cree' for Matheson & Co London, ( Jardine Matheson, HK, Managers).

Bitumen tanker on Shell charter designed to run up to Phnom Phen(Sp), Cambodia but american bombing etc put paid to that plan before she was delivered. She originally had a shorter funnel and her masts could be lowered to get under the bridges on the Mekong. Also originally had permanent awnings and potted palms on the accommodation top behind the bridge

Ended up running out of Pulau Bukom to Borneo, Port Hedland,WA, etc. When no bitumen cargoes forthcoming ran fuel oil from Port Dickson to Telok Anson and Penang. Had a bad engineroom fire while tank cleaning on passage Port Hedland to Singapore. I think she may have been a CTL.

I remember her in Grangemouth probably in the mid nineties and probably the last midship tanker that I saw in the flesh. From the same company the Michael M and the David M were regular callers both ex BP and then there were the Frank M and Frederick M on odd occasions.
George