Built at South Shields in 1966, the REGISTAN is seen discharging her cargo of iron ore from India at Cargo Fleet Wharf in 1971. The next move was downstream to Smith's Dock where repairs to the hatch covers and in the hold were considerable.

We seem to have lost the photo that went with this thread. Or am I blind?

Thanks Harold

Seems it was an expensive cargo. Can't imagine why they would do it?

In Brocklebanks we would load ore in India sometimes. Loaded in Vizagaptam (sp?).
Only very small quantities in the lower holds nothing like the amounts carried
in bulk carriers and not sure if it was ever for the Tees.

It was, if I remember correctly a very special type of ore, and was added
to other ores to make a particular grade of iron or steel.

Tony

Was it manganese ore, seem to remember that came from India, not iron ore. Definitely added in the steel-making process, I believe.

Yes, from memory it may well have been manganese ore for use in some special steel. As far as I can recall at least two ships came to Hartlepool - Strick's REGISTAN and Hain's TRECARNE. A further six or seven Strick ships came to the Tees and discharged at Cargo Fleet. In addition one cargo arrived at Cargo Fleet in a German Hansa Line heavy lift ship. The cargo arrived about every three weeks or so and then suddenly stopped so it may well have been for some specialised steel.

I think another 'additive' was chrome ore, possibly mainly from South Africa which Strick ships also served, we used to get them in Hul with maize from there.