JOHANNA SCHULTE discharging at Billingham Reach Wharf

Discharging phos rock loaded at Dakar, in the days when ICI Billingham manufactured a wide range of chemical compound fertilisers. The rock was unloaded by the gantry onto conveyor which fed a nearby silo - now I believe a listed building. "Johanna Schulte" was typical for this trade. There was a more restrictive draught formula for veesels over 400ft loa rounding Furness Bend and I never recall a vessel over 400ft loa being fixed although there were one or two enquiries. To my knowledge, these were the largest vessels to go "naabsa" on the River Tees.

John,

You rotter!!!! You made me look that up!!! (thank goodness for modern search engines!!!)

naabsa = Not Always Afloat But Safely Aground.

Ron

Thought it was Not Always Around But Still Active ..... oh, that's you, Ron

[quote="I never recall a vessel over 400ft loa being fixed although there were one or two enquiries. To my knowledge, these were the largest vessels to go "naabsa" on the River Tees.[/quote]

Lamport & Holt vessels sometimes went to Billingham reach and these were about 450 feet long. Quite exciting
getting them up there with the old single screw tugs!! Swing off dock point and towed up stern first.

I never piloted one myself but certainly did a "Training passage" on one in the late 1960's with
the late Tommy Emms

Tony

Previous discussion re Lamport & Holt's ROSSINI at Billingham at: viewtopic.php?f=43&t=4912

Ron