PLATIDIA etc.

[northeast]

I have a WATCHFUL of 20grt by Edwards & Co., Millwall. yard no.592, no other details .... not found in MNL ... just wondering if her name suggests a Customs vessel, later sold commercially. Will ask Philip Simons who specialises in such.

[northeast]

Speedy reply from Philip!

Yes this is certainly the ex. Custom’s Watchful.
She was a steel, Steam Launch, 52ft x 12¼ft, 41.5 tons Displacement, 20grt, 77hp, 8½kts, and as you say Edwards & Co, Millwall, 1908
She was sold out of service 4/1939.
In the 1960’s she worked as a yard launch at Tyne Dock & Engineering Company.
I have no idea of her final fate.

Page now updated
http://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view. ... l=WATCHFUL

[Dennis Maccoy]

Thanks George - another gap filled.

[Davenz]

Ship outboard of the P&O could be the Sapele Palm.

[northeast]

Well spotted, Dave.
But still no answer on the hopper, surely she must be well-known.

[Keelman]

Although not certain I think it very probable I caught the tanker departing the river following her visit to Brigham & Cowan in May 1972

Completed at Hamburg in 1955 by Deutsche Werft for Curacaosche Petroleum Maats (part of the Royal Dutch Shell group of companies) she was transferred to British registry six months after her completion. One of two bitumen tankers (sister PLAGIOLA) trading mainly from Curacao and Aruba they were powered by steam turbines built by AEG.
Shell Tankers (UK) Ltd. disposed of the tanker to Spanish shipbreakers at Castellon where she arrived in May 1974

[michaelp]

Either Blenheim or Braemar at TCQ

Michael