[Alan-Edward]

My father was Mate on the Noorderhaven (ex Empire Ford 1941) during the war. So the last view years I'm trying to find some pictures of this ship. So far I've only found one normal size picture from the Sofia Gogi and a thumbnail of the Saint Honorat. Meaning, I realy, realy need some help.
There must be pictures of her somewhere.
Thanks a mill in advance.

 

[Alan-Edward]

Did you ever manage to find a suitable image of the Noordehaven? My father was also on this ship during ww2 December 1943 to December 1944. I have drawn a blank, in fact your post was the first trace I could find on line that this ship existed at all.

Hi Fraser2011. Thanks for your reply.
For some odd reason the first few years of this ship are a complete mystery as far as I can see. Try to find pictures of her but as you already mentioned it looks like she never existed at all. Had contact with Gainsborough,( the old Watson shipyard is closed), were she was build. Found two pictures just after the launch of her and her sister. Can't tell which one is the one though. She had a real miserable start. Ran aground, re floated, grounded again and sank, re floated, and so on. Sold to the Dutch government in 1943 renamed NOORDERHAVEN.
So far no pictures of the NOORDERHAVEN. In 1947 she was sold, by Dammers en van der Heiden as agent to France (Senegal) and renamed SAINT HONORAT.
What happened between 1943 and 1947, except that she was laid up for some period after the war, is a picture less mystery. I've joined many ship groups where they post pictures of old ships. No success, so far.
BTW My dad was on her as mate from August till December 1943.

 

[Alan-Edward]

Some more explanation: These ships were all called EMPIRE ….. . 29 Empire ships were transferred or build for the Netherlands and several American-built ships in an exchange program to replace lost war tonnage. Allocated to the Dutch Government and renamed. Haven’t any idea where the names come from. What’s in a name anyway.
Ships that are alike and easier to find are: Westerhaven as KILBRIDE. Oosterhaven as MARSHLEA or PETER LEIGH. Or a look alike the NORRIX (with an extra deckhouse fitted).They all give you an idea how these little ships looked.
Now about the engine of the Noorderhaven. This was a 2TE 6 cylinder. WIDDOP (292x343) 375 BHP- good for 9 knots. Must have been not so bad altogether cause it was only changed in 1956 to a : 4tew 6 cil 375 Pk MAN (Courneuve), 285x420, 7,5 Kn.
She was scrapped at Reythymon Greece in 1982.