Atlantic Conveyor on trials from Swan Hunter in 1984, showing her flight deck. The flight deck was designed to be road-portable to any port in the UK within 24 hours, and fitted into the ship’s container guides in a further 24 hours. I think our trial fit took slightly longer than 24 hours. This was the only time that the deck was fitted - proposals to call-up Atlantic Conveyor for exercises always seemed to over-ridden by commercial priorities. Other additional features to suit her for military service included improved subdivision and provision for military communications equipment.

On seeking details of the whereabouts of the deck about ten years ago for potential use on another project we discovered that it had been “found to be in poor condition” and disposed of some years previously.

Delivered in 1985 she was lengthened two years later and is still in service.

SHS photograph

ATLANTIC CONVEYOR (8215534), Sweden, 58438gt, completed Swan Hunter, Wallsend, 1-1985

Arriving at Liverpool on 24 July 2012: And, providing a contrast, being passed by a vessel from the past!
KATHLEEN & MAY, British, 136gt, completed Ferguson & Baird, Connah's Quay 1900
1900 LIZZIE MAY - 1908 KATHLEEN & MAY - 1960 ceased trading - 2012 preserved Liverpool Ron

Looking very battle scarred.

Doing well for 27 but being realistic, how much longer can she keep going????????

Excellent set of photos young Sir and amazing how she had a quick paint job on the way across the river.

Tyneside Tsunami!

Very interesting set of launch shots - including the crowd "panic"!

The aerial view also shows a sharp contrast against those we have seen from earlier periods with, even then, less than 30 years ago, quite a notable absence of very many other ships!

Launch date: 12 July 1984.

It may be relevant to note that when launched she was 25301gt on a length of 250.0 feet. Only two years after completion she was lengthened - [1987 Lg 292.0/276.1m, 58438gt/44988dw]

Ron

In the aerial view note the structures just inside the gate at Hebburn Dock. The two blocks were the upper blocks of Atlantic Conveyor's superstructure including the wheel house, to the right hand side of the dock. The blocks were erected by a large floating sheerlegs a few weeks after launch.