Reintroduced 07 July 2007 (07.07.07)
TEESSHIPS
A BIT MORE WELLER
CAIRNAVON
I ran an extensive feature on the CAIRNAVON a while back,
but had not spotted this further view in Albert's album.
Miramar entry: http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz/ship/show/183139?page=1&shipname=&IDNo=5537859&search_op=OR&number=
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Previous page
Last revised 10 July 2004
TEESSHIPS
ANOTHER WELLER SHOWCASE
CAIRNAVON
CAIRNAVON (details needed, please)
10.10.02: Both George Robinson and Graham Thursby referred me to THE EMPIRE SHIPS (SECOND EDITION) which shows her as being originally the EMPIRE SNOW, 6237gt, built by C. Connell & Co. Ltd., at Scotstoun, Glasgow. Launched 16.12.1940, completed 2.1941. In 1946 became the CAIRNAVON for Cairns, Noble & Co. Ltd., being sold on in 1961 to become the VERGOLIVADA under the Lebanese flag. On 19.9.1966 a rope wrapped around her propeller and she stranded in the north Dardenelles; cargo jettisoned or trans-shipped and ship refloated 1.10.1966 and moved to Piraeus. In 11.1968 she arrived at Shanghai to be broken up.
I must admit that seeing her with a counter stern had made me think she would be an older ship, but it seems Connell's built four such vessels to one of their own designs. Live and learn!
27.01.04: This brought back memories for Tom
Johnston:
I was browsing through your Teesships and saw the history of my
old ship Cairnavon. It was sad to see how she ended up. I sailed
chief cook on her from 1959 to 1960 for the whole of that year. I
was on her when she ran aground on the breakwater at
Middlesbrough. I cannot recall the exact date but it was sometime
in 59. We got quite a write up in the newspapers and on tv too. I
have a couple of photos of her up on the breakwater
but my computer is not set up to send. We ended up getting off on
the next high tide with the help of seven tugs as I recall. She
was also my last ship before I came ashore.
1959 - just before my time, but anyone remember this incident?
29.05.04: .... and Tom now sends these couple of photos (with one more to come!)
Unfortunately, I have to say I do not
immediately recognise this location on the Tees?
It is not at either of the Gares at the river mouth and the only
possibility that springs to mind is that these were the old
leading lights and the ship has gone the starboard, Seaton
Channel, side of them??
I hope someone can put Tom and I out of our misery, and confirm details of this incident.
Tom's comments with these photos:
To continue with CAIRNAVON on the breakwater at Middlesbrough,
you will see she is high and dry and on the port side you can see
the light house which is the entrance to the harbour which, of
course, should be on her starboard side. These pictures were
taken by the chief engineer who was on the launch assessing the
damage to the ship. The fog was thick that morning and we had a
pilot on board but we still ended up on the beach. Such is life.
... and the previous entry prompts Ian
Aitken:
I was checking the article by Tom Johnston 27.01.04 on the
Cairnavon, that brought memories for me about her as my brother
Sandy Aitken and I both sailed on her, he as second steward and
me as assistant steward , when she ran aground in the narrows
aproaching a town called Coatzacoalcos in Mexico in July 1956 (I
had to check my discharge book for the date) we had gone there to
pick up a cargo of sulphur for Rotterdam, they had to hose the
sulphur with water as it was being loaded by conveyer belt into
the holds to keep it from catching on fire. Needless to say when
we got to Rotterdam to discharge they had to break it up with
pneumatic drills .I have a snap shot of her being pushed off by
tugs when she ran aground . A little note to end my story, Tom
Johnston and I are old friends we both left Leith to go to
Southhampton to join the Orient Line in May 1955 thinking we
would be shipmates , however when we arrived I was posted on the
Orontes and he was posted on the Oronsay, we have not seen each
other in almost fifty years, he lives in Sydney Australia, and I
live in Montreal Canada and now we chat by computer once a week
Ian Aitken
*****
19.06.04: And the third photo from Tom gives the bow view:
However, Harry Appleyard confirms the grounding in the Tees in July 1959 and sent me this photo, not one he actually took himself:
I must admit this still is not ringing any bells but Harry suggests the location is similar to the PINJARRA grounding in January 1962 (see my PINJARRA page). For those who have the WSS P&O history, there is a view of the PINJARRA aground taken from the shore side and, certainly, it could be the same (or similar) retaining wall, although there is no navigational light visible.
Looking at the press reports I show for the PINJARRA I am reminded that they say that grounding was close to the Lackenby Dock, then being built and opened to traffic later in 1962 as Tees Dock. 1959-62 would be the main development stage for the Dock, so it seems possible the light in the CAIRNAVON views was dismantled during that period - or I could be way out in my location!!
BTW, the Tees Towing tug alongside is either the BANBURY or HUTTON CROSS, both built 1958.
Maybe the above views will help someone more familiar with the river as it was back in 1959 to pinpoint the exact location?
Back again! Still 19.06.04: Now I have got my wits about me and re-read the PINJARRA article I see that states she was aground on the North bank, i.e. the Co. Durham side of the river. That area certainly was not familiar to me and maybe the location shown in the press cutting was later removed in the process of forming the Tees Dock turning circle which, I think, would be developed from circa 1965 when the North Tees oil jetties stated to come into operation.
Although Tom says above the light should have been on the starboard side of the CAIRNAVON which would seemingly support a grounding on the North bank, Harry's view would strongly indicate she is ashore on the South (Yorkshire) bank as a great expanse of the river width can be seen in his shot - any views, please, anyone?
.... and I now find, that after a long period of abstinence, Harry is also now looking in (along with Mick) on the internet - so I will no longer be able to talk about them behind their backs!!! (and you will have to explore all the Holland 2003 pages to properly appreciate this comment!)
10.07.04: Harry has been having a closer look and is convinced the location is at the old Fifth Buoy Light.
Having dug out the photo I showed previously from one of the old TCC handbooks of around 100 years ago, I have to agree with him.
My first guess as to the location being around the entrance to the Seaton Channel was not too far adrift, after all! This light (demolished in the 1960s?) was on that Co. Durham bank (starboard side when entering the River Tees) and just a bit further upriver from Seaton Channel (and presentday Phillips Terminal).
I'm glad to solve this one. Thanks to all concerned.