DEUCALION

[MadMaxLab]

On the 10th of August the Malta Post Ofice issued a set of 88 (!!!) stamps to commemorate Operation Pedestal in 1942. All ships that took part are shown. They were issued in sheets of 10 - 8 stamps and 2 labels.

There are 18 North East built ships in this set. Would you be interested in seeing them and other NE built ships that have appeared on stamps ?

DEUCALION was launched 29th July 1930 by Hawthorn Leslie at Hebburn-on-Tyne, England.
GRT: 7740 NRT: 4799 DWT: 8930
Dimensions: 140.21m x 18.1m x 15.54m
On 12/8/1942 she blew up after being attacked by aircrraft.

[Whickham]

For myself, yes. I think the fact that they appeared on a stamp shows that there was some particular historical point worth commemorating and therefore worth mentioning on NEM.

[northeast]

By all means, also nice for the Tyne-built portfolio?

[MadMaxLab]

Not just the Tyne George !

[Whickham]

Indeed a good addition. See current listing:

http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/D-Ships ... n1930.html

[E28]

The 4th or last image in Dave's previous post link shows Deucalion stopped after her initial bombing at about 1330 on 12 August 1942 by JU88 of KG77 or 54 being assisted by the Hunt class Bramham. The 3rd ship is Battleship HMS Rodney from the starboard quarter.

Operation Pedestal was a determined effort to help relieve Malta with the Merchant ships comprising Convoy WS21. Deucalion, Master, Captain Ramsey Brown, was amongst the losses. Despite her damage she got underway escorted by Bramham but was duly attacked at 2130 in the dark and poor visibility by 2 torpedo armed Heinkel He.III, believed from 6/KG.26 and damaged further, stopped and on fire when all her crew were removed to Bramham which fired a depth charge at her, encouraging her fires to assist her sinking which was not witnessed. Bramham then made off at speed to continue with her escort duties and assist the tanker Ohio to Malta.