Ocean ans and liberties

[Captain Kong]

Thanks for that information John.
After the Northumbria class of tanker, Esso had two, Esso` Dalriada and Demetia, 250,000 dwt, built in Kokums Sweden, They were far superior in every way from the UK ones.
Cheers
Brian.

[Lou Barron]

Hi Tony I think the Dorrington Court was the sister ship to the Aldington Court the last ship i was on ???

[j.sabourn]

Empire Boats. Cappy should get in on this one. The Avonmoor was an Empire boat hull and riveted and built at Sunderland 42/43. I don't think for some reason she was classed as an Empire Boat, she was also a 3 cylinder Doxford. I spent 2 years on this vessel and spent many an hour over the side (in port) on a stage and well remember chipping around the rivets. I think according to Cappy she was sold to the Chinese late 50"s so is every chance she is still going, wonder how she would comply with the new sea boards convention. As cappy so liked this vessel he will no doubt give his views on Empire Boats or the next thing to. Cheers John Sabourn

[Tony Wilding]

empire ships were any ships built in uk or hong kong dockyard, during ww2, did not have to have an empire name, but 99 percent did, also includes captured or confiscated enemy ships, ships rebuilt after sinking, war reparations when the war ended, many ex german ships found damaged or half built were completed and given an empire name. Many ex american mothballed ww1 built ships loaned to uk were given empire names, there were many classes of empire ships, from tugs to coasters, many types and sizes of cargo ships, tankers, i have photos of well over 1000 empires, even sunken british ships were raised and repaired then given an empire name, empire evenlode was raised a few times after various sinkings, worth a look on wikipedia,

[Tony Wilding]

Hi Tony I think the Dorrington Court was the sister ship to the Aldington Court the last ship i was on ???

HI LOU, Possibly a later Dorrington Court was, but not the one i was referring to., Tony W.

[j.sabourn]

Tony, have always considered an Empire Boat to be flush Decked 5 hold vessel No 3 hatch being between Bridge housing and next single block accommodation and crews quarters aft around the steering flat area. This was the general and type of vessel turned out during the war and got the title of Empire Boat, they were also riveted vessels. The word Empire can be stuck on any ships name subject to the owners requirement but the Empire Boat that I am aware of is as described here and in someones earlier post. Cheers John Sabourn

[robpage]

There is a good bit here off Wikipedia


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_ship

[Captain Kong]

In the 50s The ships I sailed on very similar to the Empire boats were the Forts, Flush deck two hatches forard, one amidships and two aft. I sailed on a few of them.
The Canadian Park boats , built in Vancouver were exactly the same except for a raised focsle head,
the URMSTON GRANGE of Houlders was one,
The Empire boats had different designs. First, just like the Forts.
Second like the Good Hope Castle. ex Empire ?????. FOUR hatches on the fore deck and two aft.

My photos are . Urmston Grange, a Park boat, ??????? Park, same as Empire, Fort but raised focsle head.
Good Hope Castle, an Empire boat, different class from the original.
and Fort Grant, later Commodore Grant, a Fort boat.
Cheers
Brian

[Ivan Cloherty]

You'll remember the 'Empire Lionel' built 1942 Brian, we sailed on her at different times, yes that veritable vessel 'Levenpool' she had a raised foc'le, 2 hatches, accomm, 1 hatch, accomm, 2 hatches, not a greyhound of the seas by any means, even Columbus had more navigation aids!!

[Captain Kong]

Hi Ivan ,
I didnt sail on the Levenpool, I was in Antwerpen just before New Year 1956/7 on the Dunedin Star, A friend of mine was on the Levenpool and was trying to get paid off. They had all broken out in boils and bad guts and when they opened the fresh water tanks they found the remains of a dead body in there.
He was gulping ale down him so fast I had to join him. He was trying to wash the taste of water from himself.
So glad I didnt sail on her.
Cheers
Brian.