Summary
Scantic was a 326 GRT coaster that was built in 1936 by Noord Nederland Scheepsmakkerij, Groningen as Dr Colijn for a Dutch owner. In 1940, she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Crocus. In 1947, she was sold into merchant service and renamed Stainton. A further sale in 1951 saw her renamed Benwood. In 1955 she was sold to Finland and renamed Monica. A further sale to Sweden in 1957 saw her renamed Mona. In 1963, she was sold to Denmark and renamed Scantic, serving until 7 December 1964 when she foundered in St Georges Channel, United Kingdom.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry |
|
| Builder | Noord Nederland Scheepsmakkerij |
| Yard number | 152 |
| Launched | 1936 |
| Out of service | 1964 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 42.52 m (139 ft 6 in) overall |
| Beam | 6.99 m (22 ft 11 in) |
| Depth | 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion | 6-cylinder MWM Diesel engine |
| Complement | 5 (Scantic) |
Description edit
The ship was built in 1936 by Noord Nederland Scheepsmakkerij, Groningen, Netherlands,[1] As yard number 152.[2]
The ship was 42.52 metres (139 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 6.99 metres (22 ft 11 in). She had a depth of 2.71 metres (8 ft 11 in).[3] As built, she was assessed at 332 GRT.[2] 154 NRT.[4]
The ship was propelled by a 222 nhp 4-stroke Single Cycle Single Action diesel engine, which had six cylinders of 10+13⁄16 inches (27.5 cm) diameter by 13+3⁄4 inches (35 cm) stroke.[2][3][4] The engine drove a single screw propeller. It was built by MWM, Mannheim, Germany.[2]
History edit
Dr Colijn was built for M Oosterhuis, Delfzijl, Netherlands. The Code Letters PDSD were allocated.[4] In 1940, she was transferred to the MoWT and renamed Empire Crocus.[1] She was placed under the management of T H Donking & Sons Ltd.[5] The Official Number 167408 was allocated. Her port of registry was London and the Code Letters MNDN were allocated.[6] Empire Crocus was assessed at 341 GRT, 142 NRT.[5]
Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy OA 208, which departed from Methil, Fife on 2 September 1940 and dispersed at sea on 6 September.[7] In 1941, part of her cargo was advertised to be auctioned as prize.[8] Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy EBC 13, which departed Barry, Glamorgan on 16 June 1944 and arrived at the Seine Bay on 18 June.[9] She left the convoy at Falmouth, Cornwall. On 7 July, she repeated the voyage as a member of Convoy EBC 34.[10] Empire Crocus was a member of Convoy TS 63, which departed Takoradi, Gold Coast on 31 August 1944 and arrived at Freetown, Sierra Leone on 5 September.[11]
In 1947, Empire Crocus was sold to H P Marshall & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire and renamed Stainton. In 1951, she was sold to Mountwood Shipping Co Ltd, Liverpool and renamed Benwood.[1] On 8 January 1952, Benwood was in distress off Great Orme Head, Caernarvonshire. The Holyhead lifeboat was launched but her assistance was not required. Benwood was escorted into Liverpool, Lancashire by a pilot boat.[12] In 1955, she was sold to Rederei AB Henrik Selen, Borgå,[3] Finland and renamed Monica.[1] The Official Number 482 and Code Letters OFVF were allocated. Monica was assessed as 349 GRT, 141 NRT.[3] In 1957, she was sold to N O Olausson, Sweden and renamed Mona.[1] She was assessed as 327 GRT.[2]
In 1963, Mona was sold to J L Hansen,[1] Rønne,[13] Denmark and was renamed Scantic.[1] She was assessed as 326 GRT.[2] On 7 December 1964, Scantic sprang a leak in St George's Channel, United Kingdom in heavy weather. She was on a voyage from Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom to Poole, Dorset with a cargo of lime. Water entered the engine department, and a mayday was sent at 16:30. The five crew took to the lifeboat at 17:30, but it capsized. They were all back in the lifeboat by 17:50, when Scantic capsized and sank at 51°10′N 7°15′W / 51.167°N 7.250°W. The crew were rescued the next day by Arthur Allbright.[13]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Mitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 978-1-85044-275-2.
- ^ a b c d e f "Coaster Database" (in Dutch). Adriana Shipping. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Ship Card #956". Finnish Mercantile Marine Database. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ a b "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ "SIGNAL LETTERS OF BRITISH SHIPS". Convoyweb. Retrieved 30 April 2011. (enter MNDN or Empire Crocus in relevant search box.)
- ^ "Convoy OA.208". Convoyweb. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Legal Notices". The Times. No. 48927. London. 16 May 1941. col B, p. 1.
- ^ "Convoy EBC.13". Convoyweb. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "EMPIRE CROCUS (Br) 341 tons, built 1936". Convoyweb. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Convoy TS.63". Convoyweb. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Ships in Distress in Heavy Seas". The Times. No. 52204. London. 9 January 1951. col D, p. 6.
- ^ a b "DANSK SØULYKKE-STATISTIK 1964" (PDF) (in Danish). Søfartens Bibliotek. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
External links edit
- Photo of Benwood