Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      MICHALAKIS
Arrived:17 November 1957
Departed:16 February 1958
Arrived 2:6 March 1958
Departed 2:23 February 1960
Career:Built as ALEXANDER E BROWN. Renamed MICHALAKIS 1947, GEORGAKIS 1963, HUMBOLDT 1964. Broken up Santander Jan 1967.
14 February 1958 the Greek owned MICHALAKIS broke a link in her mooring chain (she had used her own mooring swivel) and drifted through the fleet of laid up ships, miraculously doing little damage and finally grounded on the mudflats opposite the Esplanade. She lay there until the tides were high enough for tugs NAPIA and OCEAN COCK to pull her off 16 February, which enabled many people to view the spectacle and walk around her at low water. She was refloated 16th February 1958 and towed to Gravesend, arriving the same day. 25 February 1958 anchor and cables were recovered from river.
Oyster Company ledger first entry 10 weeks 5 days 27 February 1958, Phocean Ship Agency.
Arrived 17 Nov 1957 sailed 16 Feb 1958 arrived 6 Mar 1958 [George Swieszkowski - Lloyds List]
Tonnage:7,176 gross
Built:1944
Type:Liberty ship
Official No:246472
ID2246472

MICHALAKIS on the mudflats opposite the Esplanade, West Mersea. Date: c15 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS on the mudflats opposite the Esplanade, West Mersea. Date: c15 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ron Pamment Collection

MICHALAKIS on the mudflats opposite the Esplanade, West Mersea. Date: c15 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS on the mudflats opposite the Esplanade, West Mersea. Date: c15 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ron Pamment Collection

Geoff Atkins and a young Alan Pamment stand under the stern of the Michalakis. Date: c15 February 1958.

Above:  Geoff Atkins and a young Alan Pamment stand under the stern of the Michalakis. Date: c15 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ron Pamment Collection

MICHALAKIS ashore at West Mersea Date: c15 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS ashore at West Mersea Date: c15 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Harold Cutts Collection

MICHALAKIS ashore at West Mersea Date: c15 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS ashore at West Mersea Date: c15 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Harold Cutts Collection

MICHALAKIS refloated Date: 16 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS refloated Date: 16 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Harold Cutts Collection

MICHALAKIS refloated by tugs NAPIA and OCEAN COCK after her time ashore opposite Empress Avenue, West Mersea. She was towed to Gravesend, arriving the same day. Date: 16 February 1958.

Above:  MICHALAKIS refloated by tugs NAPIA and OCEAN COCK after her time ashore opposite Empress Avenue, West Mersea. She was towed to Gravesend, arriving the same day. Date: 16 February 1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Harold Cutts Collection

Liberty ship MICHALAKIS laid up in the River Blackwater. Date: c1958.

Above:  Liberty ship MICHALAKIS laid up in the River Blackwater. Date: c1958.
Source: Mersea Museum / Michael Griffiths


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