During the summer of 1985, Cunard Lines berthed a number of their ships at Vittoria Dock, Birkenhead prior to selling them to Greece. On this day, Sat 10th August 1985, there were a total of 10 vessels moored in this compact dock...
Cunard Lines Reefers: Carinthia, Samaria, Saxonia, Carmania, Servia
Saxonia and Samaria were MFC flower class built in Denmark. Carmania was a smaller vessel built - I think- in Norway.
Flower class were fast but prone to ER fires. I was 2/O on Samaria when bought by Cunard.
Those four ships were certainly prone to engine room fires, I experienced one on Orchidea (suspected cause lub oil mist being drawn into turbo blower on No5 Generator) it was quickly extinguished using CO2 total flooding. I also was sent to the Gladioli after a disastrous fire in Equador, and worked as riding crew on the tow to Sweden. After the fire on the Orchidea I was asked by Maritme Fruit superintendents if I thought it could be sabotage, I laughed at the suggestion at the time, but in later live I sometimes wonder. As far as I know all four vessels had at least one engine room fire while operated by Maritime Fruit.
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