Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships

Ship:	GANDARA
Arrived:	10 May 1976
Departed:	18 May 1976
Career:	This (probably) takes the record as the newest ship to come into the anchorage having been delivered from Swan Hunter in 1976 and put directly into lay up here in the Blackwater for about three weeks. She was also the only gas tanker to use the anchorage. Renamed HELIKON - 1986, MAHARSHI VASISHTH - 1996, VASISHTH - 2009. Broken up Chittagong 12 June 2009. Arrived 10 May 1976 departed 18 May 1976 [George Swieszkowski - Lloyds List]
Tonnage:	15,611 gross
Built:	1976
Type:	Gas carrier
Owner:	The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
LR/IMO Number:	7343267
Official No:	366075
ID	7343267

Onboard GANDARA in the Blackwater. Date: 1976.

Above: Onboard GANDARA in the Blackwater. Date: 1976.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

GANDARA laid up in River Blackwater.

Rick Hogben Collection from SSBR Archive BT/53/1 Date: 15 May 1976.

Above: GANDARA laid up in River Blackwater. Rick Hogben Collection from SSBR Archive BT/53/1 Date: 15 May 1976.
Source: Mersea Museum / SSBR

GANDARA laid up in River Blackwater

Rick Hogben Collection from SSBR Archive BT/53/7 Date: 16 May 1976.

Above: GANDARA laid up in River Blackwater Rick Hogben Collection from SSBR Archive BT/53/7 Date: 16 May 1976.
Source: Mersea Museum / SSBR