Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      LINGA
Arrived:21 February 1958
Departed:13 August 1958
Arrived 2:18 May 1960
Departed 2:23 February 1963
Career:Following her first visit to the Blackwater, a new crew joined the LINGA in the Blackwater around 1958. The ship was in poor condition with grass growing on deck and bits of equipment missing. She had some cargo on board which had solidified so she had to go to a Dutch yard to have it heated and removed. She then loaded water to take to Curacao. Entering Willemstad, a failure caused her to run aground by the Continental Hotel - she was refloated, dry docked, and then loaded a mixed cargo for Guayaquil in Ecuador.
She later returned to the River Blackwater and was eventually broken up at Willebroek in Belgium 26 Feb 1963.
George Bethell emailed: the vessel was under repair at least between 18 Sep 1957 and 25 Jan 1958. She was in dry-dock on the latter date at T.W. Greenwell's yard. "It seems surprising that the vessel was in such poor condition arriving at Maldon and it makes me wonder just how much work was actually done on her at Sunderland."
Built Harland and Wolff.
Oyster Company ledger first payment is 4 wks 4 days compensation 1 February 1958. For some time after this, Shell tankers were not named. 4 weeks compensation payment made 13 August 1960. 3 weeks 2 days payment 25 February 1963.
Voyage Record Card: Arrived River Blackwater 21 February 1958 from Rotterdam. Sailed River Blackwater 13 August 1958 for Rotterdam. Arrived River Blackwater 14 May 1960 from London. Struck by vessel 26 November 1962. Sailed River Blackwater 25 February 1963.

Arrived 21 Feb 1958 departed 13 Aug 1958 arrived 18 May 1960 departed for Antwerp 23 Feb 1963 in tow tug GELE ZEE.

Tonnage:6,452 gross
Built:1946
Type:Tanker
Owner:Shell Tankers
Official No:180933
ID1180933

LINGA at sea, tank cleaning. On the port side towards can be seen one of the canvas 'sails' used to force air into the tanks to blow out the fumes. Things are done very differently these days.

This photo was taken by an apprentice on board, following her 1958 departure from the River Blackwater. Date: c1959.

Above:  LINGA at sea, tank cleaning. On the port side towards can be seen one of the canvas 'sails' used to force air into the tanks to blow out the fumes. Things are done very differently these days. This photo was taken by an apprentice on board, following her 1958 departure from the River Blackwater. Date: c1959.
Source: Mersea Museum

LINGA at sea. A photograph by an apprentice on board, looking aft from the midship accommodation. The tanks are open and the tanks are being cleaned. Photo taken on her trip after leaving the River Blackwater in 1958. Date: c1959.

Above:  LINGA at sea. A photograph by an apprentice on board, looking aft from the midship accommodation. The tanks are open and the tanks are being cleaned. Photo taken on her trip after leaving the River Blackwater in 1958. Date: c1959.
Source: Mersea Museum

Shell tanker LINGA laid up in the River Blackwater. She paid two visits to the Blackwater 1958 - 1963. Date: c1960.

Above:  Shell tanker LINGA laid up in the River Blackwater. She paid two visits to the Blackwater 1958 - 1963. Date: c1960.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection


Copyright Mersea Island Museum Trust 2024
Hosted by Krystal.io

";