Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships

Ship:	CALIFORNIA STAR
Arrived:	14 July 1967
Departed:	27 October 1967
Arrived 2:	Mar 1968
Departed 2:	cJune 1968
Career:	Length 457.3ft x beam 63.3ft, one funnel, two masts, single screw, speed 14 knots, accommodation for 35 passengers, reduced to 12 in 1948. Completed by Harland & Wolff, Belfast in Oct.1945 as the EMPIRE CLARENDON for the Ministry of War Transport, and managed by P & O. Steam Nav. Co. Ltd. 1946 Acquired by Frederick Leyland & Co and managed by Blue Star Line, 1947 renamed TUSCAN STAR. Aug.1948 renamed TIMARU STAR to conform with New Zealand route namings. 1950 transferred to Lamport & Holt Line. 1958 transferred to the North American Pacific coast route renamed CALIFORNIA STAR. 1959 reverted to Blue Star Line ownership, 1967 transferred to New Zealand service, Mar.1968 laid up in the River Blackwater, 22nd Jun.1968 left London on her last NZ voyage. 21st Apr.1969 arrived Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping. History on www.theshipslist.com. Photos at www.bluestarline.org. Voyage Record Card: CALIFORNIA STAR Arrived 14 July 1967 from Liverpool. Sailed 27 October 1967 for London Voyage Record Cards and George Swieszkowsk (Lloyds List) do not have a record of 1968 visit mentioned above. W. Fieldgate & Son 1968 daybook at ERO has no reference to her.
Tonnage:	8,577 gross
Built:	1945
Type:	Refrigerated ship
Owner:	Blue Star Line
Official No:	168540
ID	1168540

CALIFORNIA STAR laid up in the River Blackwater. She was in the river 14 July 1967 to 27 October 1967 Date: cAugust 1967.

Above: CALIFORNIA STAR laid up in the River Blackwater. She was in the river 14 July 1967 to 27 October 1967 Date: cAugust 1967.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ray Smith - River Blackwater photographs

Motor barge and sailing barge passing CALIFORNIA STAR. The CALIFORNIA STAR was laid up in the Blackwater from 14 July 1967 to October 1967 and probably March 1968 to June 1968.
Undated 35mm slide by Jean Booth. Date: cAugust 1967.

Above: Motor barge and sailing barge passing CALIFORNIA STAR. The CALIFORNIA STAR was laid up in the Blackwater from 14 July 1967 to October 1967 and probably March 1968 to June 1968. Undated 35mm slide by Jean Booth. Date: cAugust 1967.
Source: Mersea Museum / Merriel and Paul Gallifant