840 Class
Comments from the forum - 1
Like you I was surprised to see the Norse Herald in RSL colours, I did see a picture of her launch a few days ago on SN and and was aware that there were several owners who bought ships of the same class, but was unaware she was on time charter to RSL.
I used to enjoy serving on the Cardiff class, was on the PRC when she came out of the shipyard in 1970 and her first voyage, then also on Vancouver and NWC x 2 (once with you of course)I think they were good ships and the PRC is still going strong even after all this time, as we are aware
However in later life, probably as a result of poor maintenance in successive owners, at least two of the class broke up and sank in heavy weather, although none of the ex-RSL ones. The ones I'm thinking of were the Christinaki ex-Irish Pine built 1973, lost with all hands in the Atlantic in February 1994 and the Singa Sea, ex-Dona Magdalena built 1970, broke in two and sank very rapidly in the South Indian ocean in 1988(?), with only 6 lucky survivors, who were picked up in a lifeboat some 25/26 days later. Graham Mapplebeck. Posted on forum 19 November 2010.
I recall at the time, the Government were concerned that the British Merchant fleet was in decline and needed updating. In order to stimulate Shipowners to do this, they offered subsidies to British Shipowners to scrap and build.
Crafty old Odd Godager (Norway) looked around and located the defunct Cardigan Shipping Company which he bought. This enabled him to qualify for the subsidies and he then placed orders for four ships on the Clyde. These were "Norse Pilot/Marshal/Trader and Herald" The rumour went round that RSL were in the market for the Management. However, for reasons unknown, the business went to Harrisons(Clyde).
I had no idea that RSL took the Herald on a three year charter and was surprised to see her in RSL livery. I have no knowledge of the fate of the other three. be interesting to find out. John Cann. Posted on forum 19 November 2010.
You asked about the "Norse" sister ships. In fact, the "Norse Marshal", in 1995, when she had become the "Paris", hit the breakwater in Constanza in heavy weather. She went down, losing all 27 hands.
Graham mentions the loss of the ex-Irish Pine, when she had become the "CHRISTINAKI". She foundered in the Atlantic in 1994, en route from Liverpool to Vera cruz, with a cargo of scrap. There was a fair bit of coverage, at the time, on BBC TV, with plenty of aerial shots. Initially, I thought it was the PAC, because of the corrugated accommodation, but Bryan Boyer corrected me on the matter. Mike Jones. Posted on forum 19 November 2010.
Disclaimer: The statements on this page are the views of the person who posted them on the forum. The events took place many years ago and in most cases rely on those people's memories, and so we cannot guarantee the accuracy although every effort is made to check it.
840 class vessels. Page [1]Comments from RSL staff. Page No. [1]