Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      PORT NAPIER
Arrived:4 June 1931
Departed:31 January 1932
Arrived 2:16 June 1932
Departed 2:26 November 1932
Arrived 3:7 June 1933
Departed 3:25 November 1933
Arrived 4:17 September 1934
Departed 4:5 December 1934
Arrived 5:18 May 1936
Departed 5:19 December 1936
Career:HAWKES BAY / PORT NAPIER / MARTAND / MARTANO / MAR BIANCO Length 508ft x beam 61.3ft, one funnel, two masts, twin screw, speed 13 knots, accommodation for 750-steerage class passengers. Launched on 27th Sep.1912 by Workman, Clark & Co., Belfast (Yard No.313) for Tyser Line, London, she started her maiden voyage in Jan.1913 from London to Sydney. In Jan.1914 she was transferred to ownership of the newly formed Commonwealth & Dominion Line (Port Line) and was used for trooping on the homeward voyages. Apr.1916 renamed PORT NAPIER. 1932 laid up in the River Blackwater and 1936 transferred within the group to T & J. Brocklebank, Liverpool and renamed MARTAND. 1938 sold to A. Zanchi, Genoa, renamed MARTANO and later the same year became the MAR BIANCO. Sep.1943 taken over by Germans after the Italian capitulation and on 7th Dec.1943 was bombed and sunk by Allied aircraft in the Adriatic off Zara while employed as a German army supply ship to Yugoslavia.
In Oyster Company ledger. No clear departure date found between 16 June 1932 and 7 June 1933, but possibly 26 November 1932, recorded as "Swivel".
- 17 September 1934 Hire of lighter.
Voyage Record Card: Arrived River Blackwater 04 June 1931 from London. Sailed River Blackwater 31 January 1932 for South Shields. Sailed London 15 June 1932. "Laid up at Tollesbury". Passed Spurn Point 26 November 1932 for Hull.

Shields Daily News of 30 Jul 1931, 18 Nov 1932, vessel in River.
7 June 1933 arrived Tollesbury from London [Liverpool Journal of Commerce 14 June 1933]
Shields Daily News 12 Dec 1934 "Commonwealth & Dominion Line PORT NAPIER has been prepared for service again by Swan Hunter after being laid up in the River Blackwater
Mid Essex WSS - Lloyds List gives arrival date 6 Jun 1932, not 16 Jun 1932

Tonnage:10,641 gross
Built:1912
Type:Passenger cargo
Official No:135175
ID1135175

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