Ruby

[corrientes]

Completely different Ruby. This one is the Maltese registered vessel that has been in headline news for weeks having been loaded in Russia, been damaged, been denied access to many countries only to have been accepted into Great Yarmouth, discharged and now taken to the Tyne for repairs. The final short voyage to Tynside was not newsworthy so she simply pitched up there. All the fuss about her possibly blowing Great Yarmouth into the ether made headlines and also made total fools out oif some of the local dogooders. She is a 2012 built 37,000dwt bulker. Cargo was Ammonium Nitrate, same stuff that made a bit of a mess of Bierut a couple of years back.

[Bill Morrison]

Thought I knew the name from my collection.
RUBY O.N. 84364
Port & Reg.year Aberdeen 1882
Built Paisley 1882 Iron
124.9 L X 22.1 B X 9.2 D
Net Tons 93t gross 234t
H.P. 50 screw prop.
James G Rae NEWBURGH Aberdeenshire.

I have a postcard photo of her somewhere!!

Bill.

Have found the postcard.

[John Arton]

Presently in A&P drydock, Hebburn
Rgds J.A

[Ralph Knowles]

I think the 'Galveston' explosion was actually at Texas City in April 1947. As far as I know it was something to do with 'Union Carbide', a chemical firm with operations close by the port. The SS Grandcamp loaded with 2300ts of Ammonium Nitrate exploded. There were further explosions from 'Monsanto' chemical works and the casualty count was over 580. Sixteen hours later another vessel SS Highflier, also loaded with Ammonium Nitrate, exploded which increased the casualties and decimated what was left of the port. A ships anchor was found two miles inland. I was a junior eng. on 'MT Chemical Explorer', a large liquid chemical tanker, in 1973 and she was alongside a layby berth in Texas City which had not been fully reconstructed after the big bang. We had a main engine exhaust valve out for planned maintenance and a wind twister came through the location and all the aft warps ripped out the wooden bollards which had been installed quite a few decades before. I think the replacement of the exhaust valve and making the engine ready to run must have broken quite a few time records. It was fortunate that there were a couple of pusher tugs also on the lay by berths and able to give us some assistance.

[happy daze john in oz]

Ruby, don't take your love to town!!!

[James Curry]

Ammonium Nitrate, a milk churn we drop of diesil something to create a spark and kiss your **** goodbye.