Rena del Pacifico

[Paul Thomas Price]

Hi some of you guys may remember me i posted on the P.S.N.C site some years ago looking for anyone who knew my father ( Leslie Price ) i didnt find anyone at that time and have just found this site so thought i would try again you never know

I have a photo of this gent who i feel was one of my fathers friends as he has a couple of pics of him im hoping any one knowing this man will know my father
Regards
Paul

[jimmys]

I am sorry I did not know your father. The above vessel was reputed to be an unlucky vessel and in 1947 had one of the worst engine room explosions ever with a number of deaths.
The pictures of this vessel after the explosion were still used in the education of engineers into the 1990's.

regards
jimmy

[robpage]

Was that the one where all four engines had an explosion in the crankcases and killed Harland & Wolff's trials crew in the Engine Room ?

[jimmys]

Yes thats the one. One engine exploded and the products of the explosion initiated the other three to explode.
When I conducted any trials I always insisted on a full crew of ships engineers present at the trials. This did not happen here. Yard engineers are often not fully qualified and it is difficult to view their qualifications. These blast injection engines were the ultimate engineer killer.
Any overheating turning gear in, and back to the berth on the other three engines. No hot restart.The file was at Glasgow Marine Office when I was there. A lot of mistake made from the top to the bottom in this one. 28 killed.

regards
jimmy

[Gulliver]

Hi Gentlemen,there is a copy of that 1947 report here.(download it also as a pdf if required to save on your PC).

http://www.plimsoll.org/resources/SCCLibraries/WreckReports/14197.asp

Best Regards
Gull.

[jimmys]

Hi Gulliver,

When you were looking up this one did you come across any pics. The condition of the engine room after the explosions was frightening. A lot of burn injuries as well as the deaths.

Anyone who has any pics can you put them on. I had access to the official pics but not now.

regards
jimmy

[Paul Thomas Price]

Thank you Jimmy
no worries its nice to see the pic is still here
All the best to you
Regards
Paul