index113-1950-1959

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- featuring ships From the following time period -

1950 - 1959

1972-03-003
"Martin Bakke"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Norwegian full blood from Knutsen line.
Launched: 1950, - Completed: 1951, - DWT.: 9225, - LOA.: 140,9 m, - Beam: 18,8 m.
Renamed "Rytterholm" 1971, - Wrecked: 1976
Photographed in Hong Kong 1972.
Note: I have registered this picture as taken in 1972, but if "Martin Bakke" changed name to "Rytterholm" in 1971 it does not make sense.
However, - I also visited Hong Kong late 1971, - hence I could have made a mistake her. Otherwise it is just another of the unsolved mysteries of the sea.

"Libertador Bolivar" TM-01
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
Transport used by the Bolivian navy for trade at the Bolivian free zones in Argentina and Uruguay.
Here photographed at Rosario, - La Plata river -, Argentina
Commissioned from Fairfield, UK, in 1951, - DWT.: 6390 tons, - Dimensions: 128,4 m x 16,8 m x 6,9 m, Propulsion: Diesel, 4600 hp - 16 knots
Ex. 1951 "Ciudad de Barquisimeto", - 1977 "Simon Bolivar", - 1978 "Libertador Bolivar", - Stricken 1990.

1972-02-005
"Sweet Bliss"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Launched and commissioned. 1953, - DWT: 2920, - LOA.: 92,5, - Beam: 13,3 m, - Propulsion: Diesel, - 13 knots.
Ex. Danish "Broager", - renamed "Sweet Bliss" in 1967, - scrapped 1984
"Sweet Bliss", - passenger/cargo ship, photographed in Cebu, - Philippines -, in 1972

1973-01-078
"Malaysia Raya"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Passenger/cargo ship "Malaysia Raya" photographed in Singapore in 1973.
Tons: 13520, - DWT.: 5631, - LOA.: 162,1 m, - Beam: 22 m, - Propulsion: 2 Steam Turbines, - 21 Knots
Built and launched in France in 1952, - commissioned 1954 as "Laos", - renamed 1970 ""Empress Abeto", - 1971 "Malaysia Raya", - scrapped 1977.

1972-03-001
"Nardana"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Classic UK steamer "Nardana" of British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, - photographed in Hong Kong Harbour, - 1972
Launched and commissioned: 1956, - DWT.: 10140 , - LOA.: 156,9 m, - Beam: 20,6 m, - Propulsion: 3 steam turbines, - 10250 shp, - 17 knots.
Renamed "Arya Pand" in 1973, - Scrapped in 1976.

1972-08-054
"Nardana"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Another view of "Nardana" during cargo operation in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, - photographed in February 1972.

1973-01-022
Zhan Dou 32"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Chinese steamer photographed off Shanghai, China, in Feb. 1972.
Built in Poland in 1956 as "Kalisz".
DWT.: 5000, - LOA.: 108,3 m, - Beam: 14,6 m
Renamed in 1956 to "Ho Ping 32" , and and became "Zhan Dou 32" in 1967, - Scrapped in 1992

1972-08-055
"Glenfruin"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Classic Glen Line freighter, - commissioned 1956 as "Dolius, - photographed in Hong Kong, February 1972
Renamed: "Glenfruin" 1970, - "Dolius" 1972, - "Hungmien" 1972, - "Hong Qi 119" 1977, - "Zhan Dou 51" 1983, - Scrapped: 1992 ?
DWT.: 9300 tons, - LOA.: 149,8 m, - Beam: 19,0 m, - Propulsion: 1 Diesel, - 16 knots.

1973-03-001
"Belgian Reefer"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

In spite of her name, - Danish refrigerated ship owned by J. Lauritzen, Copenhagen, photographed in June 1973 at Cristobal, Panama
Built 1958 by Aalborg Vaerft, Denmark
DWT: 5850, - LOA.: 132,5 m, - Beam; 18,1 m, - Propulsion: Diesels, - 2 shafts, - 18 knots.
Renamed 1973 "Apollonian Grace", - 1977 "Atlantic Freezer", - and scrapped in 1981.

1973-03-001
"Belgian Reefer"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)
Photographed in June 1973 at Cristobal, Panama

1973-03-010
"Sol Pemko"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Classic Norwegian full blood, - built for Wilhelmsen as "Thalatta" in 1951-, photographed off Tsingtao, China in August 1973
DWT.: 7835 tons, - LOA.: 138,5 m, - Beam: 18,3 m, - Propulsion: Diesel, - 16,5 knots
Renamed 1970 "Sol Pemko", - 1975 "Luk Chau", - Scrapped in China 1978

1973-05-009
"Waglan Island"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

"Waglan Island", - Ex. Danish classic motor ship "Mombasa" of the East Asiatic Company, Copenhagen
Completed 1950, - DWT.: 10200, - LOA.: 144,5 meters, - Beam: 18,6 meters, - Propulsion: Diesel, - 15 knots
Renamed "Waglan Island" in 1973, - scrapped in Taiwan 1979.

1972-08-056
"Burmah Lapis"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Great old tanker photographed in the Malacca Strait, - unknown date, but most likely in 1972.
Built 1953 as "Petro Emperor", - Dwt.: 38239 tons, - LOA.: 205,1 m., - Beam: 28,2 m., - Propulsion: Steam Turbine, - 16 Knots.
Renamed 1967 "Gorgona", - 1970 "Dorcas", - 1971 "Burmah Lapis" , - and scrapped in 1979.

1972-08-072
"Lars Maersk"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Another Danish classic of the fifties, - "Lars Maersk" -, photographed on the Chao Phraya River at Bangkok in 1972.
Commissioned in 1956, - Original DWT.: 5900 tons, - LOA.: 125,3 m., - Beam: 16,5 m., - Propulsion: Diesel, - 15 Knots.
Lengthened in 1960 to 135,5 m., - 6494 tons deadweight, - and scrapped in Kaohsiung 1980.

1972-08-073
"Sweet Faith"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Commissioned in 1950 as Danish passenger ship "H. P. Prior", - here photographed in Cebu, Philippines, - in 1972.
Tons: 3155, - DWT.: 903, - LOA.: 104,0 m., - Beam: 14,9 m., - Propulsion: 2 Diesels, - 20 Knots
Renamed "Sweet Faith" in 1970,, - and scrapped in Cebu in 1980.

1971-BB-BBB
Freighter "Alioth" and tug "Kirchwerder"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

Photographed in Hamburg, 1971
Commissioned in 1956 for German flag, - DWT.: 3320 tons, - LOA.: 95 m., - Beam: 13,6 m., - Propulsion: Diesel, - 12 Knots.
Renamed: 1976 "Attikon", - 1978 "Kyros", - 1982 "Khalil III", - scrapped: 1987.

1972-12-009
"Timur Providence"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

"Timur Providence", - built as "Montoro" -, on the beach of Cijin Island off Kaohsiung, photographed in 1973.
Commissioned: 1956, - DWT.: 3800 Tons, - LOA.: 99,5 m., - Beam: 14,1 m.,- Propulsion: Diesel, - Speed: 13,5 Knots.
Burned at sea off Tainan, - and later beached as a wreck at Cijin Island in 1973.

1972-12-010
"Timur Providence"
(Photography © Karsten Petersen)

A closer look at the burned out hull of "Timur Providence" on the beach of Cijin Island in 1973

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"Maersk" versus the "East Asiatic Company"

The following 7 pictures make up a series of pictures that belong together. All taken in Hong Kong from the roof of Ocean Terminal, on Nov. 15th. 1973. On that day, I found, that two classic cargo ships from Denmark's two biggest companies were moored there at the same pier.
There had always been a sort of competition between those two great shipping companies.
In this battle, "Maersk" had the advantage of being the biggest, while "EAC" never became more than the second biggest.
However, - "EAC" seemed always to be out first when it comes to applying new technologies for ships.
"EAC" had the honour of being first with a big, oceangoing diesel powered ship, - the "Selandia" launched in 1911 -, and since then they only used diesels for the new buildings that came after.
"EAC" had a close cooperation with the B&W motor factory, and was the first to try out the turbo charged big diesel and the controllable pitch propeller, - as well as fully automated engine operation with full bridge control, - and also they built the first generation super container ships in Denmark. (See my pictures from one of them, - the impressive "SELANDIA".)
From a sailors point of view the "EAC" had far nicer ships, - lots of beautiful and fast cargo liners -, and only very few tankers and bulk carriers which was not the situation at "Maersk", who had lots of lots of both tankers and bulkers. ( And tankers and bulkers were not the most popular ships for sailors in those days! They liked the sleek, beautiful dry cargo ships, that stayed long time in exiting ports!)
For us sailors who had the privilege to get a job with "EAC", we also had the the privilege of enjoying the benefits of having the best terms and conditions, - better pay, - better vacation, - better pension, - shorter service periods -, while "Maersk" strictly used the same standard terms and conditions as everybody else had. (Which in fact was NOT bad at all, - but if you could get something better, you would of course go for the better deal!)
Also we had better food, - and a relaxed alcohol policy -, when comparing ourselves with the lives of the "Maersk" sailors.
While "Maersk" and all other companies employed a lot of people on dispensations because it was impossible to get enough fully licensed people in those days, - this was no problem for "EAC", - and they actually ended up with only fully licensed officers without any form of dispensations.
Needless to say, - we who sailed for the "East Asiatic Company" looked at ourselves as the "Noblemen of the Sea", - far better than anybody else, - and light years ahead of what other seafaring nations could offer in those days - - - - We were like Kings on the seven oceans, - and everybody envied us - - - -
Well, - actually I am convinced, that if you asked some dedicated "Maersk" sailors in those days: Who are the "Noblemen of the Seas?", - they would most certainly point at themselves! :-)
But who actually won the battle of being the best in the World????
The answer is "Maersk"!
"Maersk" is still the biggest shipping company in Denmark, - and in fact not only that -, it is also the biggest private owned shipping company in the whole World! "Maersk" is a true maritime giant, - the biggest -, and they rule the oceans - - - -
"The East Asiatic Company"?????
Sad to say, but it is now many years ago they moved their great headquarters out of Denmark to Singapore, - and they also stopped operating ships!
There is not even one ship left! They are now engaged in all other sorts of businesses, - except shipping!
Hence, - from a sailors point of view, there is no "East Asiatic Company" anymore - - - - Only memories!

One of these memories comes here, showing the classic "EAC" cargo ship "Songkhla" leaving competitor "Maren Maersk" at Ocean Terminal in order to go at anchor somewhere in Hong Kong's extremely busy and crowded Victoria Harbour!

Please enjoy a sight never more to be seen, - from a time that is gone forever - - -

"Maren Maersk" of Maersk- A.P. Møller, Copenhagen, Denmark, photographed at Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong in 1973.
Commissioned 1953, - DWT.: 9427 tons, - LOA.: 149,1 m., - Beam: 19,2 m., Propulsion: Diesel, - 17,5 Knots.
Renamed: "Union San Francisco" in 1977, - and scrapped in Kaohsiung in 1979.

"Songkhla" of the East Asiatic Company, Copenhagen, Denmark, - photographed at ocean Terminal, Hong Kong, in 1973
Commissioned in 1953, - DWT.: 8940 tons, - LOA: 148,9 m., - Beam: 19,1 m.,- Propulsion: Diesel, - 16 knots.
Renamed: "Paclog Sealink" in 1974, - "Offshore Provider" in 1982, - and scrapped in Kaohsiung in 1987.

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Initiated: Nov.29.2010
Updated: Dec.04.2010, - Dec.23.2010, - Jan.09.2011, - Jan.15.2011, - Jan.16.2011, - Jan.20.2011, - Jan.22.2011, - Feb.02.2011, - Feb.09.2011