ST. CLEMENT
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
Date26 June 1946
Object NameCARGO VESSEL
MediumSTEEL
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 170 5/12' x breadth 31 1/12' x depth 11'
Gross Tonnage: 460 ton
Gross Tonnage: 460 ton
Object numberABDSHIP002488
About MeYard: Hall, Russell & Co.Yard Number: 791
Subsequent Names: GRIGORIS (1976); MELINA (1980)
Fate: unknown
Propulsion: Motor
Description: Cargo vessel (coaster), with accomodation for 12 passengers, 2 decks, machinery aft.
Owners:
1946: North of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Co.
1976: sold to E. G. Loukedes, Greece and renamed GRIGORIS.
1980: sold to Lotus Maritime Co. Piraeus and renamed MELINA.
General History:
Launched 26 June 1946 by Mrs James Littlejohn Smith, wife of a director and manager of the the owners. ST. CLEMENT's routes were Leith to Aberdeen and Kirkwall and until 1966, Stromness. It replaced the ST. OLA during that ship's surveys and also as a supplemental vessel during summer excursions 1966-1974.
ABS, ST. CLEMENT (1946) additional material written by Finlay McKichan
ST. CLEMENT was particularly associated with cargo services from Leith and Aberdeen to Orkney (initially Stromness and from 1966 Kirkwall). Her importance to the island’s agricultural industry is shown by two notices issued by the company. In September 1948 Orkney farmers were warned that, as ST. CLEMENT was to go for survey on 16 October, those planning to ship livestock at this most important time for the trade should make bookings as early as possible. The following April, when ST. CLEMENT was on the Shetland North Isles service during repairs to EARL OF ZETLAND, the company apologised to farmers on account of meantime being unable to ship all the agricultural implements offered. The pressure to meet demand was shown by an incident on 13 April 1953, when the Board of Trade surveyor found the ship, about to sail from Matthew’s Quay in Aberdeen, with cargo on the open deck and listing to starboard. She was 26 inches above the load line on one side and 14 inches above on the other. The master said farmers in Orkney were clamouring for seed grain and fertilisers and ST. NINIAN was undergoing repairs. He knew the ship was overloaded and was prepared to take her to sea. The general manager, Mr Mackie, accepted full responsibility, but thought the ship was safe to sail. She did so the following day after part of her cargo was unloaded. The company was subsequently fined £75 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Capt. William G. Stout, aged 60, collapsed and died on the bridge off Noss Head in the teeth of a severe westerly gale on 2 August 1954.
In late June 1956 ST. CLEMENT made the last call at Wick on its weekly voyage from Leith and Aberdeen to Kirkwall. Its calls at Wick and Scrabster were withdrawn because of a sharp decline in cargo loadings caused by an increasing tendency to use road transport for foodstuffs.
Sources:- Gordon Donaldson (1978), 'Northwards by Sea' (Paul Harris Publishing, Edinburgh), p. 125; Orkney Herald, 21/09/1948 and 12/04/1949; Evening Express, 18/05/1953. Press and Journal, 03/08/1954, 29/06 and 03/07/1956 (newspaper refs BNA, downloaded 24/06/22 or from newspaper cuttings in A.W. McRobb scrapbook held in the AMM)
Note:
Engines - British Polar diesel engines 6 cylinder 345x570mm.
John Lewis & Sons
early 20th Century
