AFRICANA
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
Date23 September 1930
Object NameRESEARCH VESSEL
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 125 1/3' x breadth 25 1/12' x depth 13 3/6'
Gross Tonnage: 313 ton
Gross Tonnage: 313 ton
Object numberABDSHIP002423
Keywords
Yard Number: 716
Subsequent Name: AFRIKANDER (1950)
Fate: unknown
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Fishery research vessel, trawler.
Owners:
1930: Union of South Africa, Government.
09/1939: Requisitioned for the South African Navy and converted to a minesweeper, armament 1 x 3 inch. Pennant no. T.0.
10/04/1947: Returned to owners.
1950: B. Gelcer & Co. Pty Ltd, Cape Town, renamed AFRIKANDER.
(Gerald Toghill (2004), "Royal Navy Trawlers, Part Two: Requisitioned Trawlers" (Maritime Books, Liskeard), p. 4)
General History:
AFRICANA was a trawler for the government of South Africa with a steam engine built by the shipbuilder Hall, Russell. It was also fitted with electric light & wireless. That was a new addition to fishing boats at this time. AFRICANA was sold to B. Gelcer of Cape Town.
14/11/1930:
The new fishery and survey vessel “Africana,” which has just been completed for the Union Government of South Africa, ran her trials in Aberdeen bay last week. Both speed trials over the measured mile and in the progressive trials, the vessel gave every satisfaction, and came up to the expectations of the owners’ representatives in every detail. The various devices on board the vessel were also tested, particularly the plankton reel and the Hughes echo sounding machine, and in all the tests these instruments proved very successful. The vessel is one the finest of her type which has yet been constructed, and reflects great credit her builders. The vessel left her long passage to the Cape on Saturday, and on the voyage is expected to call at Madeira and Sierra Leone.
(Derry Journal)
