ROOIBOK (5334999)
O.N. 185012 7898g 4111n 10118dw 502’0" x 65’8" x 27’3"
3 steam turbines double reduction geared to screw shaft by Parsons Marine Turbine Co., Wallsend-on-Tyne
17.3.54 launched by Greenock Dockyard Co. Ltd., Greenock (Yard no. 482) as CLAN ROBERTSON for The Clan Line Steamers Ltd. (Cayzer, Irvine & Co. Ltd. - managers) / 6.54: Completed / 1959: within British & Commonwealth Group transferred to Bullard, King & Co. Ltd. and renamed UMZINTO / 12.59: transferred to Springbok Line Ltd., London; name unchanged. / 1.60: transferred to Springbok Shipping Co. Ltd., Cape Town, South Africa, and subsequently renamed ROOIBOK / 1.7.61: company sold by British & Commonwealth Shipping Co. Ltd. to South African Marine Corporation Ltd., Cape Town, South Africa, vessel remained in ownership by Springbok Shipping Co. Ltd. (South African Marine Corporation Ltd. - managers) and subsequently renamed SOUTH AFRICAN SHIPPER / 1966: renamed S.A. SHIPPER / 26.11.75: arrived Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to be broken up.
ROOIBOK: The ROOIBOK was the most frequent Springbok visitor to Middlesbrough, appearing 5 times between April 1960 and July 1961; earlier, during her short career as the UMZINTO she managed 3 arrivals from April to December 1959. On 3.12.60 the ROOIBOK became new entry no. 12 in the author’s list of ship-sightings. During her last visit, he was able to add her to his earliest photographic records. Conversely, although lasting until 1975, he was never to resight this ship while with Safmarine.
The late Albert Weller recorded the ROOIBOK during one of her visits to the Tees.
And, yes, you're going to get it! Middlesbrough Dock on 15 July 1961