Discharging at Perth on 02/06/1962

1939, 499grt
Cochrane, Selby (1199) as MALPLAQUET for the War Department (R.A.S.C.)
1958 ROSEMARKIE, W.N.Lindsay of Leith
Broken up at Inverkeithing 08/1968

50 YEARS AGO TODAY!

Newcastle Quay - 30 August 1965: Ron

Nice collection from '50 year ago' today, what a difference a half century has made to shipping.

Here is a picture of the RASCV Malplaquet anchored off Pula Brani (Singapore ) dressed overall just before the Coronation in June 53. My father was First Mate on her at that time . She was running up the coast to Port Swettenham to supply British troops fighting the communist terrorists. We lived in Singapore for a couple of years.The vessel and crew returned to UK in the summer of 54 and then spent some weeks operating from Cairn Ryan dumping ammo (and possibly other nasty stuff) out in the Atlantic.

The dumping of the nasties at Beaufort Dyke makes interesting reading, no need to worry about the outfall from the Nuclear Power Station not too far away which was monitored more rigidly than what was dumped in the Dyke some of which has now started to appear on the beaches ( does Mustard go with or in fish?). Although watching a programme about what was dumped in the Baltic along with avoiding the Minefields I think I will stick with Captain Birdseye fish fingers made with Icelandic Cod, Aye Shipmates.

Battle of Malplaquet.
The Duke of Marlborough’s fourth, bloodiest and least conclusive defeat in the field of the French army of Louis XIV, fought on 11th September 1709.
Combatants at the Battle of Malplaquet:
British, Dutch, Austrians, Hanoverians, Prussians and Danes against the French and Bavarians. Scots, Irish, Swiss and Germans fought in the battle on both sides. It is said that every European nationality was represented in the battle.
Casualties at the Battle of Malplaquet:
French and Bavarian casualties were 15,000. The allied casualties were 17,000. The French lost 16 cannon in the battle with many standards and colours.
Winner of the Battle of Malplaquet:
The Duke of Marlborough and his allies although not conclusively.

There was a book published by a former RASC Officer some years ago which covered the Fleet and their names commemorating past Battles, unfortunately at the moment I cannot remember the name of the Officer concerned.

The book may have been "The Unknown Fleet" by Reg Cooley.

That's the one David, I was interested in a vessel called Salonika a 68ft vessel which was out in Mahon at the time, she was built on the same Hull as the Hants & Dorset Air Sea Rescue Launches. Regards, Ron@2

As Whickham has kindly indicated the book was called "The Unknown Fleet" and the range of RASC Vessels does indeed remain largely unknown, even the smaller vessel's were built to carry Cargo and or Troops. One Class I believe was called or nicknamed '50 milers' these wooden vessels were around 50ft long, they had a very compact Wheelhouse which was Aft, in front of the Wheelhouse was a Hold which was serviced by a Mast and Boom. This type of vessel would be handy for dashing around the various installations on the islands around Northern Scotland or servicing the 'War of the World' style Forts in the River Thames.