Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      SAMLONG
Arrived:11 November 1944
Departed:21 January 1949
Career:Launched as ELIAS H. DERBY. Renamed c1944 SAMLONG, Ministry of War Transport (Prince Line Ltd, London)
3 Aug 1944 Badly damaged by German 'Linsen' craft (explosive boat) two miles off Juno Beach, Normandy. Towed to Thames Estuary and then Gravesend. Later towed to the River Blackwater and laid up as Constructive Total Loss.
7 April 1947 listed by Jeff Curtiss as being in the river.
Jan 1949 Scrapped Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Holland. (from http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/LibShipsS.html#Samk).
In "Tide Time", A.S. Bennett says she has an engineroom full of water and a light lashed to the muzzle of her gun aft.
From Oyster Company ledger:
- 31 March 1945 20 weeks compensation. Prince Line Ltd.
- 30 January 1949 Compensation 9 wks 1 day.
Mid Essex WSS - Lloyds List: arrived 11 Nov 1944 sailed 21 Jan 1949 for Rotterdam in tow ZWARTE ZEE.

"Haven of Rest" by Douglas Gurton lists the vessel as damaged by an E Boat torpedo, but has no further info. See DJG_SHP

Essex Newsman 7 Sept 1945 describes a recent visit to the SAMLONG. While laid up, she has a crew of just four. Second Mate Walter Taylor from 'up North', and three Tollesbury men, "Happy" Barbrook, Jeff Greene and Fred Carter.

Tonnage:7,219 gross
Built:1943
Type:Liberty ship
Official No:169689
ID1169689

The Liberty Ship SAMLONG in the River Blackwater, taken from Mell Creek, Tollesbury. Part of a postcard - see  ... Date: c1948.

Above:  The Liberty Ship SAMLONG in the River Blackwater, taken from Mell Creek, Tollesbury. Part of a postcard - see ... Date: c1948.
Source: Mersea Museum


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