Built in 1956 by Thompson's as the SILVERDENE (Lloyd's quote J Crown)

Renamed:
60 EL KANEMI - 78 ANEMI

Broken up at Kaohsiung 1980

As built, I think she was caught in the transition from Crown to JL Thompson.

The EL KANEMI received that name in 1960. Looking at the chronology of Albert Weller's photo albums I suspect these views were taken more or less immediately after she had changed her name. Was that refit on the Wear or locally otherwise?
EL KANEMI: Nigerian National Line Ltd., Lagos, British flag (as it still was regarded then despite Nigeria gaining independence from 1 October 1960!), 5660 gt,
completed by J. Crown & Sons Ltd., Sunderland, 5-1956, ex Silverdene-60.
1978 ANEMI (Cyprus), BU Kaohsiung 3.6.80 [Li Chong Steel & Iron Works Co] Ron

That's the Turning Basin off St Anthony's Point on the Tyne Ron.

Taken from the Felling Shore.

EL KANEMI in Tees Dock 07.09.76

You are right. it was a Crowns ship (yard no 241) with a Doxford 670LBD4 engine, no 300, and as Thompsons took over Crowns in 1948 it would, theoretically, be a Thompsons ship.
I have it as grounding whilst bunkering at or near Jeddah, 1982; caught fire, C.T.L. Then refloated and scuttled.

This letter shows the Crowns / Thompsons connection and, as if by magic, it just happens to be about the Silverdene.
On John Crowns letterhead, it is signed by Robert Cyril Thompson, (of Liberty ship fame), descendant of the founder of J.L.Thompsons and director of the firm when the letter was written. The stamp is that of Thompsons. My own list of John Crown contracts built after Thompsons took over may not be reliable, but I have those contracts starting with yard number 220, Andwi and ending with 249 the tug Flying Wizard (sister of Flying Witch). The Wear Hoppers No3 & 4 were also Crowns contracts. However I have a note scribbled on the list that says the last ship launched from Crowns own yard was yard no 240, Bretwalda (2) in 1959 and the rest of the Crowns contracts were built at Thompsons. Even the physical difference between Crowns and Thompsons was minute. Crowns slipway was almost parallel to Thompsons at North Sands, (not the later large single berth that replaced them) and almost adjacent to them. Crowns yard stood between Thompsons North Sands yard and their Manor Quay (fitting out quay). The acquisition and demolition of Crowns yard allowed Thompsons to have one unhindered shipyard almost from Wearmouth Bridge to almost the North Dock. Crowns was a small yard with an excellent record, but was too small to compete with modern demands and no room to expand. Thompsons could not have survived as long or built the larger ships they did unless they had the room that demolishing Crowns would permit. I posted an aerial view of the whole area that Thompsons occupied and showing where Crowns was, on the Thompsons/North Sands section of this forum.
Tom

fitter wrote:You are right. it was a Crowns ship (yard no 241) with a Doxford 670LBD4 engine, no 300, and as Thompsons took over Crowns in 1948 it would, theoretically, be a Thompsons ship.
I have it as grounding whilst bunkering at or near Jeddah, 1982; caught fire, C.T.L. Then refloated and scuttled.

Tom,
All the indications are that this ship was broken up as the ANEMI in 1980 (see various posts above), so there must be some doubt about your 1982 reference.

Ron

Thanks Ron, I will amend my record.

Albert Weller slide taken in Tees Dock, circa August 1971: Ron