Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      HELENA MODJESKA
Arrived:10 Jan 1947
Departed:10 June 1948
Arrived 2:12 June 1947
Departed 2:8 June 1948
Career:Wrecked on the Goodwin Sands 12 September 1946. She broke in two but the two halves were salved and towed to the River Blackwater, the forepart on 10 January 1947 and the afterpart on 10 June 1947. In the Blackwater, the two halves were moored alongside each other. She was then scrapped at Grays, Essex.

For more of the story, see HELENA MODJESKA - a Liberty Ship

7 April 1947 Jeff Curtiss recorded that the fore part only was in the Blackwater.
She is mentioned in "Tide Time" by A.S.Bennett, stating that she had gone on his trip on the MIROSA in Jun 1948.

10 Jan 1947 Dover Express [with thanks to British Newspaper Archive]
The fore end of the American steamer "Helena Modjeska," which had been lying at anchor in the Downs since being towed off the Goodwin Sands, was towed to the River Blackwater, on Tuesday, by the tug "Salvonia" assisted by the salvage vessel "Star of the Realm.". All the cargo and equipment had been removed from that part of the vessel.

From Oyster Company ledger:
- 21 March 1947 Compensation 10 wks 3 days (i.e. from 7 January 1947). American Steamship Lines.
- 25 July 1947 Compensation 1 wk 4 days and 6 wks 3 days (i.e. starts 14 July 1947 and 10 June 1947)
- 10 June 1948 Compensation 1 wk 6 days, owner British Iron & Steel Corp.

From George Swieszkowski - Lloyds List.
Forepart arrived 10 Jan 1947, sailed 10 June 1948 in tow SUN X and SUN XV.
Afterpart arrived 12 June 1947 and sailed for London 8 June 1948 in tow SUN X, SUN XV and SUN XVI.

"Haven of Rest" by Douglas Gurton says "two sections of the HELENA MODJESKA were brought into the River and moored together presenting an incongruous sight. These vessels were afterwards taken away and scrapped.
See DJG_SHP

Tonnage:7,176 gross
Built:1944
Type:Liberty ship
Official No:246904
ID2246904

American ship broken in two - aground on the Goodwin Sands in the English Channel, the American ship HELENA MODJESKA lies broken in two after a severe gale lashed the southern coast of England.

Associated Press photograph. Date: 25 September 1946.

Above:  American ship broken in two - aground on the Goodwin Sands in the English Channel, the American ship HELENA MODJESKA lies broken in two after a severe gale lashed the southern coast of England. Associated Press photograph. Date: 25 September 1946.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

Discarging cargo from HELENA MODJESKA, after she ran ashore on the Goodwin Sands 12 September 1946 Date: October 1946.

Above:  Discarging cargo from HELENA MODJESKA, after she ran ashore on the Goodwin Sands 12 September 1946 Date: October 1946.
Source: Mersea Museum / Tony Wilding Collection

The two halves of the Liberty Ship HELENA MODJESKA anchored in the River Blackwater. She had gone aground on the Goodwin Sands 12 September 1946 and broke in two. The two halves were refloated and towed to the Blackwater January and June 1947. Date: Before 25 June 1948.

Above:  The two halves of the Liberty Ship HELENA MODJESKA anchored in the River Blackwater. She had gone aground on the Goodwin Sands 12 September 1946 and broke in two. The two halves were refloated and towed to the Blackwater January and June 1947. Date: Before 25 June 1948.
Source: Mersea Museum / Derek Shakespeare

Newspaper cutting from The Sphere Date: 1947.

Above:  Newspaper cutting from The Sphere Date: 1947.
Source: Mersea Museum / Tony Wilding Collection

Newspaper cutting from unknown paper, dated June 26, 1948. Date: 26 June 1948.

Above:  Newspaper cutting from unknown paper, dated June 26, 1948. Date: 26 June 1948.
Source: Mersea Museum / Tony Wilding Collection


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