MV Kowloon Bridge

Model of the M.V. English Bridge
History
Hong Kong
Name:
  • English Bridge (1973-7)
  • Worcestershire (1977-9)
  • Sunshine (1979-??)
  • Murcurio (19??-??)
  • Crystal Transporter (19??-??)
  • Kowloon Bridge (19??-86)
Owner:
  • Bibby Line (1973-9)
  • Amroth Investments (1979-??)
  • Helinger (19??-86)
Port of registry: Hong Kong Hong Kong
Builder: Swan Hunter
Launched: 1973
Fate: Sank in December 1986, wreck located 51°28′N 09°14′W / 51.467°N 9.233°W / 51.467; -9.233
General characteristics
Class and type: Bridge-class combination carrier
Tonnage: 89,438 GT[1]
Length: 294.2 m (965 ft 3 in)
Beam: 44.3 m (145 ft 4 in)
Draft: 18.44 m (60 ft 6 in)
Ice class: A1
Installed power: B&W 8K98FF
Propulsion: 1x propeller
Speed: 15.5 knots (17.8 mph)
Crew: 28

MV Kowloon Bridge was a Bridge-class ore-bulk-oil combination carrier built by Swan Hunter in 1973, but sank off the coast of the Republic of Ireland in December 1986.

History

The MV Kowloon Bridge was built on the River Tees by Swan Hunter for Bibby Line and originally named English Bridge. In 1977, the vessel was renamed Worcestershire, as the fourth vessel to carry that name in the Bibby Line fleet. In 1979, the vessel was sold to Amroth Investments and renamed Sunshine. [2]

The vessel was renamed a further three times, before the becoming known as Kowloon Bridge. The vessel's last voyage was between Sept-Îles, Canada headed for the River Clyde with a cargo of iron ore and oil.

On 20 November 1986, she anchored in Bantry Bay, Republic of Ireland after developing deck cracking in one of her frames during her Atlantic crossing. After leaving port, she lost steerage in very severe weather. Royal Air Force helicopters rescued the crew and the Kowloon Bridge was effectively abandoned with her engine running, heading away from the Irish coast. A tugboat that tried to reach her had to abandon the salvage attempt after she too sustained storm damage. Within hours, Kowloon Bridge ran aground on a submerged reef near The Stags rocks off West Cork in the Republic of Ireland. The resulting fuel spilt out over the Irish coastline causing extensive damage to local wildlife, and financial losses for the local fishing fleet. In the spring of 1987, Kowloon Bridge split into three sections and sank.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Irish Wrecks On-Line". MV Kowloon Bridge. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "Bibby Line". The Ships List. Retrieved 17 February 2012.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MV Kowloon Bridge (ship, 1973).

External links

Coordinates: 51°17′N 9°08′W / 51.28°N 09.14°W / 51.28; -09.14

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