Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      GLADIOLA
Arrived:30 July 1976
Departed:28 October 1976
Career:Jim Prophet was 4th Engineering Officer on the ship when she arrived in the Blackwater. He writes:
"We had sailed originally from Southampton with a cargo of cars to Cotanou in Benim West Africa. From there we went to Panama for orders. Whist at anchor there the company (IFR) went bust. After a few weeks at anchor just outside the Panama Canal we were asked to get the ship to home waters. We had to leave Panama quite quickly (and quietly as we were under arrest) eventually arriving at the Blackwater.
GLADONIA was sold to Cunard in 1976 after the IFR bankruptcy and renamed SAXONIA.
She went to the Falkland Islands as part of the fleet that went there in 1982, carrying an array of goods including cabbages (she brought most back), aero spares and beer.
Recorded by Martin Klingsick as being in River 12 September 1976
In 1986 she was renamed CARINA. In collision off Ostend 7 Jul 1995 & broken up Aliaga 12 Dec 1996

Arrived 30 Jul 1976 departed 28 Oct 1976 [George Swieszkowski - Lloyds List]

Tonnage:12,029 gross
Built:1972
Type:Reefer
LR/IMO Number:7113155
ID7113155

GLADIOLA laid up in River Blackwater following the bankruptcy of her owners IFR. She was sold to Cunard and became the SAXONIA. Date: 12 September 1976.

Above:  GLADIOLA laid up in River Blackwater following the bankruptcy of her owners IFR. She was sold to Cunard and became the SAXONIA. Date: 12 September 1976.
Source: Mersea Museum / Martin Klingsick


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