Kezza, have a look in the gallery - think Endeavour and Somersby are both featured (just put the ship's name in the search engine). Try the Search in the discussion board too.

In your other post, you said you sailed on Yarra River and Lysaght Endeavour - me too but after 1980, so after you too. Both were good numbers. I remember Tolga was on the Gladstone to Weipa run, along with Yarra River, but didn't know she was chartered from Wilhelmsens (If she'd gone to BHP, they wouldn't have had to change the funnel!). I think she ended up being scrapped in Taiwan, but not sure.

John T.

PS By the way, it's not a great idea to put your email address on your posts here - you could end up with a zillion viagra ads and who-knows-what else! If you click on the "edit" button on the message you can remove it. Anyone wanting to answer you can either make a post here or send a Private Message - you will receive an email telling you that a PM has been sent.

 

Kezza,
Here are the details you were looking for:
Iron Endeavour - O/N 305467 , IMO 6900239
Ordered as Iron King but Launched 24.10.1968 as Iron Endeavour to mark, in 1970, the bicentennial of Captain James Cook's discovery of Australia in the barque Endeavour. Completed in February 1969 by J. L. Thompson and Sons, Sunderland, at their North Sands Yard, Yard No. 724, for the Nile Steamship Co. Ltd, (part of the Furness Withy Group), J. & J. Denholm Ltd. Managers. Registered at Newcastle, U.K. 74,596 DWT, 40,316 GRT, 798' 5" LOA, 120' 3" Breadth, 39' 3" Summer Draught. 8 cyl 2S.C.S.A Doxford oil engine driving a single screw shaft manufactured by William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. 20,000 b.h.p. @ 110 rpm 15 knot service speed. 8 cargo holds with a crew of 41.
1969 On delivery placed on long term charter to BHP Pty. Ltd. Outbound from the UK to Australia the ship was sub chartered by Mitsui Line, Japan, to load iron ore in Liberia for Japan. The ship was handed back to BHP in Tokyo bay becoming the largest ship to join the Australian merchant fleet and proceeded for Koolan Island, Western Australia in ballast to load iron ore for Port Kembla. Arrived Koolan Island 10.4.1969 and berthed at Port Kembla on 22.4.1969. Vessel re-registered Australian. After that trip her main function was the transportation of Iron ore pellets. A typical run was Kembla, Whyalla, Japan, Port Hedland, Kembla.
1983 The charter ended and the ship reverted to her owners. Sold to Greek interests, managers Theodore and Angelos Efstathiou, Piraeus, renamed Andromachi, registered Piraeus.
1987, 27th April, the vessel loaded with iron ore ran aground in Venezuela's Orinoco river near mile 149. Initial attempts to re-float her using tugs were unsuccessful and she had to be lightened before being pulled into deeper water. Sustained hull damage and following temporary repairs had to be dry docked in Hong Kong.
1990, January, Sold to the Turkish Kýran Group and renamed Kaptan Ziya Sonmez, registered Istanbul. On 23rd February 1990 her collision bulkhead cracked while loading coal. Cargo had to be removed and major ship yard repair carried out.
1992 Sold to unknown interests and renamed Ocean Blue. Sold on almost immediately to Nagos Shipping Ltd., Valetta, Malta, & renamed Nagos, registered Valetta.
1993, 26th May, while on passage from Richards Bay to Antwerp with a full cargo of coal the Nagos encountered very heavy weather off the South African coast. A hatch cover was washed away, believed to be from No.1 hold, and the ship began taking on water into the hold. She sank approximately 70 miles of Port Elizabeth, in lat.35 15S, long.24 01E. 16 crew members were rescued by helicopter and 17 were missing believed drowned.
Sad end to the life of a ship after 25 years service.
Iron Somersby, O/N 337372
Ordered as Somersby by Ropner Shipping Co. Ltd., London, she was launched 8.10.1971 and completed 7.12.1971 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Yard No. 1688. 57,250 GRT, 108, 173 DWT, 855' 0" LOA (inc. BB), 133' 6" Breadth, 66' 0" Moulded Depth, 48' 6" Summer Draught. 9 cyl 2 SA B&W oil engine manufactured by the Shipbuilder driving a single screw shaft. 23,300 bhp, service speed 15 knots. Consumption 71 tons fuel p.d. 9 holds/hatches all fitted with McGregor hydraulic side opening steel hatches. No cargo handling gear fitted. Designed crew number 38.
Taken on charter from completion by BHP and registered in Newcastle (UK). Sailed in ballast from Belfast under the command of Captain A. Ekblom for Port Headland via the Cape, a voyage of 31 days at an average speed of 15.73 knots. On arrival she spent 7 days at anchor due to an industrial dispute ashore and then loaded 69,871 tons of ore for Port Kembla. (This was the maximum possible due to the draught restrictions at Port Kembla). Sailed 15.1.1972 arriving at Port Kembla on the 24th. She became the subject of a series of industrial disputes, which were not finally resolved until October 1972 when she finally took up her intended trade. This was largely running between Port Hedland and Port Kembla with iron ore with occasional voyages to Japan with coal. She also visited Hong Kong and Labuan.
28.5.1982 to 22.6.1983 Laid up at Geelong.
14.12.1986 Returned to her owners at Savebo, Japan and renamed Somersby registered Nassau. During her time with BHP she lifted 13,788,000 tones of coal and ore. She sailed with a Yugoslav crew of 24 for Hay Point, Queensland to load coal for Europe.
1987 Sold to Karson Navigation Corp., (Oak Steamship Co. Ltd.), Kaohsiung and renamed Chia Yun.
1993 renamed Chi Kuni for her final voyage.
24.4.1993 arrived at Nantong for breaking.
Hope that's of interest,
Regards,
Alastair

 

Thats interesting you seem to have all the gen. Do u know about the Iron Kimberly she did a lot of coastal runs for the Newcastle Steelworks in the 1960's. The steelworks closed a few years ago and its all coal loading from the islands in the hunter river now. The wharfs on the newcastle side are sadly gone and the toffs have moved in with their million dollar type apartments.

Spoils the view I reckon


roythwaites

sparky

 

Somersby & Endeavour.

I was interested in the details and ultimate end of these vessels as I had sailed as Chief Engineer on both in the 1970's.

alastairjs Really impressed with your reply to Big Kezza and would like to know similar information on the Iron Shortland, Iron Capricorn and Iron Clipper. I spent quite a few years looking after the machinery on these 3 so would like to know their fate, too. The only facts I already know are from the "A Maritime History of BHP 1885 -1992-The Iron Ships"

My Regards. David.

 

David please find

Iron Shortland had 4 name changes 96 ANNIVERSARY - 98 DIAMOND XL. - 99 AVAS - 99 ALMAR Broken up Chittagong 29.11.05

Iron Capricorn built as Bernes 75 IRON CAPRICORN - 90 IRENES BLESSING - 93 ALEXANDER - 95 ARCADIA PROGRESS - 04 MARIS still around

Iron Clipper built as Naess Clipper 64 IRON CLIPPER - 75 NORDIC RAMBLER - 75 KAVO XIFIAS Broken up in China May 84

 

Thanks



Gdynia. Thanks for the information. I left the Capricorn 1988 and while the mcahinery was in excellent condition, the Hold bulkheads had lots of wastage and had been repaired so someone has done a good job on the steel to keep her going. We blamed alternate coal and ore loadings for the corrosion.

 

Iron Cavalier built as Naess Cavalier '64. ( did 16 months on her ).

 

And John I reckon JC was a lot better than Pele.
Groeten
Jan

 

Groot gelijk Jan , still think JC was one of the all time greats though didn't
quite reach the heights of Denis Law.
How did we get on to this on an Aussie bulker thread ?????????????????.

 

Jan, years ago a taxi driver asked me if I was Johan Cruyff. Imagine that! I wonder if Johan is a fat sob like me these days.

John T.

 

David,
Thanks for your kind comment, much appreciated. I only saw yesterday your request for a similar write up on the three ship on which you sailed as C/E. Neville has given us the name changes but, for my own satisfaction, I've put together what follows. I hope it's not too long nor too repetitive of things you already know.
IRON SHORTLAND - O/N 374940, IMO 7802043
Launched 30.11.1978 & Completed 20.4.1979 by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Ltd., Kure, Japan, Yard No. 2715, for BHP Transport Ltd, registered in Melbourne that day. Bulk carrier strengthened for heavy cargos with 9 holds and hatches. IHI chain driven hydraulic steel hatch covers, side rolling. Holds 2, 4, 6 & 8 may be empty while carrying cargo. No cargo handling equipment. 59,963 GRT, 107,140 DWT, 818' 6¾" (249.5m) LOA, 134' 8½" (41.06m) Breadth, 49' 3½" (15.024m) Summer Draught. 7 cyl 2 S.C.S.A. Sulzer oil engine manufactured under license by the ship builder driving a single screw shaft. 23,450 bhp (17,249 kW) output, 15.5 knot service speed. Bunker consumption 78 tonnes/day, total crew 37. She was BHP's first purpose built 100,000 DWT ship.
1979, 23rd April, sailed from Kure for Port Hedland in command of Captain L. Packman. 4th May sailed from Port Hedland for Port Kembla with a full cargo of iron ore.
1983, 9th July, Jettisoned her port anchor off Newcastle due to windlass damage during surge conditions. The anchor was buoyed and retrieved by the ship on the 16th December with the assistance of the fishing vessel Port Hunter.
1992, 11th March, Sold to Everbird Corporation N.V., (a company of Capeco Maritime N.V.), Netherlands Antilles, and bareboat chartered back to BHP for 4 years.
1995, 18th August, An arrest warrant for the Iron Shortland was issued in the Australian courts following an application from MALAYSIA SHIPYARD AND ENGINEERING SDN BHD. Iron Shortland was named as the surrogate for the ship Newcastle Pride. The warrant was issued on the basis that Capeco Maritime owned both vessels and Malaysia Shipyard was owed a large sum of money for work carried out to the Newcastle Pride. The Federal court ruled in September that the arrest warrant be set aside as BHP were the "beneficial owners" of the ship as it was still Australian registered on demised bareboat charter. All BHP's costs were borne by Malaysia Shipyards. This case is still quoted as a precident.
1996 Ship handed back to her owners at the end of the charter, renamed Anniversary.
1998, June 18th, Sold to Demplomar Shipping Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (Formerly B&H Maritime Carriers Ltd.), Liberia. Maryville Maritime Inc., Athens, appointed ship manager. Renamed Diamond XL registered Liberia.
1999 Sold to Madlex Shipping, Piraeus, Greece, Maryville Maritime Inc. retained as managers. Renamed Avas, registered Cyprus. Renamed a month later as Almar I, owner and manager unchanged. Call Sign P3BC7.
2005, 29th November, arrived at Chittagong for demolition.
IRON CAPRICORN ex BERGNES - O/N 356569, IMO 7380461
Launched 27.11.1974 as Bergnes & Completed February 1975 as Iron Capricorn by Nippon Kokan K.K., Shimizu, Japan, Yard No.332. Self-Discharging Bulk Carrier ordered by Kristian Jebsen Rederi, Bergen, Jebsens (U.K.) Ltd, London, managers. Purchased while fitting out by Capricornia Pacific Pty Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, (wholly owned BHP subsidiary), and accommodation modified to Australian standards prior to delivery. BHP Transport managers. 20,570 GRT, 35,224 DWT, 12,187 Net. 176.99m (580' 8") LOA, 167.0m (547' 10¾") LBP, 27.84m (91' 4") Breadth, 15.02m (49' 3¼") Depth, 11.153m (36' 7") Summer Draught. 7 cyl 2 S.C.S.A Sulzer type oil engine built by Sumitomo Shipbuilding & Machinery Co. Ltd., Tamashima, Japan driving a single screw shaft. 10,444 kW, (14,000 bhp), 14.5 knot service speed. 6 holds and hatches fitted with Kvaener Tsuji trans-roto electric-hydraulic steel hatch covers. 5 ASEA-Hagglunds electric cranes, each 16 tons SWL, serving all hatches.
1975 26th April, Sailed from Japan with an Australian crew of 34 under the command of Captain G. MacIntosh for Port Headland where she loaded 33,771 tons of iron ore for Newcastle.
1987 Ownership transferred to County Shipping Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, (another wholly owned BHP subsidiary).
1990 15th October, Laid up at Newcastle awaiting sale. In December sold to Athenian Faith SA (Tsakos Shipping & Trading SA) Piraeus and renamed Irene's Blessing.
1993 Sold to Alexander Maritime Ltd. and renamed Alexander.
1995 27th December, Sold to Arcadia Shipping Ltd, Mumbai, renamed Arcadia Progress
1999 1st January, Lilly Maritime PVT Ltd, appointed managers
2004 5th July, Sold to Trust Shipping Enterprises Ltd., Piraeus, self managed, renamed Maris.
2005 14th November AK Ship Management Ltd., Chittagong, Bangladesh, appointed managers.
2006 17th July, Sold to Alpha Vanguard Ltd., British Virgin Islands, manager and ship's name unchanged. Registered Honduras, call sign HQWP2. Still in service.
IRON CLIPPER ex NAESS CLIPPER O/N 302793, IMO 5245291
Launched 17.7.1961 & Completed 19.10.1961 as Naess Clipper by Mitsubishi Zosen, Nagasaki, Yard No.1556 Bulk Carrier, (Bridge amidships/Engines aft) for Anglo-Pacific Shipping Co. Ltd., Bermuda, (Naess Denholm & Co. Ltd., London). 23,794 GRT, 35,441DWT, (40,347 DWT from 1969), 15,644 Net. 669' 11" (204.2m) LOA, 90' 7" (27.6m) Breadth, 52' 10" (16.1m) Depth, 35' 1" (10.7m) Summer Draught, (38' 7" [11.76m] from 1969). 9 cyl 2 S.C.S.A UE oil engine built by the shipbuilder driving a single screw shaft. 13,000 bhp, 15 knot service speed. 9 holds with side opening steel hatch covers. 8 self-tensioning mooring winches, 5 ton stores crane amidships, 2 x 3 ton derricks aft. On the starboard side a raised walkway over the hatches.
1964 November, Bare Boat Chartered to BHP Transport Ltd., Melbourne, for an initial period of 4 years. Accommodation re-fitted in Sasebo, Japan to Australian manning standards. December arrived on the Australian coast. Renamed Iron Clipper, retaining her London registry and company livery, (Black Hull, Green Boot Topping, White Upper Works), but funnel colours changed to those of BHP (Black with 2 Blue bands).
Australian manning levels were: Master, 3 Deck Officers, 8 Engineer Officers, 1 Electrician, 1 R/O, 2 Apprentices, 1 Carpenter, 1 Bosun, 11 ABs, 2 OS, 2 Deck Boys, 5 Greasers, 2 Crew Attendants, 3 Cooks and 5 Stewards, Total 48. She was employed on the coal and iron ore trades on the Australian coast and to Japan.
1969 2nd-14th January, Special survey in Cairncross Dock, Brisbane resulting in an altered load line and the increase in DWT indicated above. She was the first motor ship in the BHP fleet and had ongoing problems with high temperature corrosion of the piston crowns. Her later sister, Iron Cavalier, was fitted with chrome cylinder liners and didn't suffer the same problems as a result.
1975 June, After two extensions to her charter she was returned to her owners and renamed Nordic Rambler. She loaded a full cargo of coal at Newcastle and, on arrival in Europe; she was sold to Interoceanos Armadora SA (Gourdomichalis Maritime SA), Piraeus. Renamed Kavo Xifias.
1984 14th February departed Port Kelang for Kaohsiung for breaking but was resold to China and arrived prior to the 5th May for demolition.
Regards,
Alastair

 

A Big Thank You.



Alastairjs. You have made my day. I spent 6 years (1964-1970) on the Clipper, 5 years (1983-1988) Capricorn and 5 years (1988-1993) on the Shortland so I am happy to hear about these 3 old ladies. I sure enjoyed all the details. Thanks again. David.

 

John T. No, he still is in relatively good shape.
John, C. your signature says all.

Indeed we got to stick to the bulkers otherwise we may receive the "yellow" card from one of the moderators......

Good information by Alistair. Appreciate the details.
Jan

 

Jan - he's a year older than me too, not fair!

No deviation from the thread - I AM an Aussie Bulkie.

I also sailed on Iron Capricorn some time in late '80s - Black and Tan run and possibly Groote, forget now.

John T.

 

David,
My pleasure.
Regards,
Alastair

 

I was sparky on the Iron Kimberly

 

notice the anl flag I sailed on the Timbarra when sent to Aust by AWA.

Poor old boat had to run before a storm once and finished up half way to NZ .. still I reckon the old man was a good sailor and used good judgment, many a ship gone to davy jones by trying to head into a tempest.

roythwaites sparks

 

I thought the Somersby/Iron Somersby was registered at West Hartlepool as her sister vessel Rudby was, but stand to be corrected.
Cheers,
David

 

DW. The "Iron Somersby" was registered in Newcastle UK but as our ships were managed from Newcastle NSW, one Newcastle is as good as the other.

 

I heard that story years ago and always thought it was too good to be true!

Thanks a lot.

 

DC
Many thanks, I stand corrected.
Cheers,
David

 

That was the cradle man's job on the coal tips at Barry and Cardiff, the trick was to be on the windward side when knocking out the pin.

 

I even remember loading on the wharf at the carrington end of lee wharf old wooden railway trucks good ol days

Roy

 

Unusual that Iron Somersby was registered in Newcastle (UK) as she was owned by Ropners and their ships were normally registered in West Hartlepool. Maybe there was some infulence by BHP, the long term charterers.

Although BHP's ships were managed from their offices at Newcastle, the ships were registered in Melbourne.

John T.

 

You must not have known the power and influence of our great Newcastle Shipping Manager, the late JIm McGeachie. David.

 

Been following the thread, how come you guys weren't bless with experience in the old chieftain class, we needed blokes like you on them lol

I couldnt get away from the bloody things and I shipped outa Adelaide, my heart used to sink when I was on top of the roster and jobs came up in one of them, bloody hell.

The guys below me wouldnt take them and away I'd go, shanghaied again lol

I'd have to race home, get my gear together, cab to the air port and onto another one of them lol

I don't know how many time Robo Davies and Yogi bear met me at the gangway haha

Not fair lol

Cheesr

Gordy

 

Been following the thread, how come you guys weren't blessed with experience in the old chieftain class, we needed blokes like you on them lol

I couldnt get away from the bloody things, I shipped outa Adelaide, my heart used to sink when I was on top of the roster waiting for a one of the big comfortable latest all the mods and cons ships and up goes on the board one of them (Chieftains), bloody hell.

The guys below me would shy away and away I'd go, shanghaied once again lol

I'd have to race home, get my gear together, cab to the air port and onto another one of them lol

I don't know how many times Rabo Davies and Yogi bear met me at the gangway,

BHP bull me...*s*

Not fair lol

Cheers

Gordy

 

See my photo of 'Somersby' in my gallery.Definitely Newcastle, which Newcastle? No idea!

 

Definitely Newcastle UK as she was British flag - had UK callsign.

John T.

 

.. Couldn't for the Life of Me, remember the name of Newcastle's ( The Aussie one ) Coal Dock and Railway Yard, Carrington, of Course ! For me, most notable, for the "Seven Seas" Pub, just across the Tracks ! .... Always a welcome break from the monotany of the Iron Ore "Run" from Whyalla to Port Kembla or Newcastle, and rarely, Port Pirie, as an ANL Apprentice. .... David K

 

David, the "Seven Seas" ended up being a Women's Refuge in the mid-80s. It still looked like a pub and I remember a shipmate and I were barred entry by a fierce looking person with a crew cut.

Not sure what's happening there now, or if it is even there still.

John T.