Shackleton

shipstamps · Post by **shipstamps** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:46 am

This stamp depicts the latest vessel (in 1963) to serve in the British Antarctic area, R.R.S. Shackleton, the second ship of the name. The earlier ship was H.M.S. Sharpshooter, renamed Shackleton in 1953 and replaced by the present vessel, built in 1954 at Solvesborg, Sweden, as the motorship Arendal, for the Arendal Shipping Co., Norway. A vessel of 590 gross tons, she is propelled by a M.A.N. oil engine fitted aft. Her hull is constructed of in. thick steel plate.
Bought by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Government in 1955 and renamed Shackleton, she left Southampton on her first Antarctic voyage on December 29 of that year. She was very much in the news during her second season in the Antarctic, for on November 30, 1957 at 6.55 a.m. the British whaling factory ship Southern Harvester wirelessed: "Following received from British motor survey ship Shackleton SOS. Am in trouble. My position lat. 60.23 5., long. 45.26 W., heading for Uruguay Cove, Laurie Island for beaching. Hit an ice-floe at speed. At 5.46 water nearly up to `tween decks and boats out. Cargo floating."
The Shackleton made the cove at Laurie Island, where temporary repairs were carried out. She was joined by H.M.S. Protector and the whaler Southern Lily. The scientists on board the Shackleton were transferred to the warship and salvage gear and a shipwright to assist with the repairs were sent in return. Repairs were completed at South Georgia and the ship returned to Port Stanley, F.I., before going south to complete her programme. It was subsequently announced that the Shackleton should not be committed to ice in the future.
Brit Ant Terr SG14 37 226 Hong Kong SG?

aukepalmhof · Post by **aukepalmhof** » Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:40 am

Built under yard No 41 as a cargo- passenger vessel by Sölvesborg Varv, Sölvesborg, Sweden for the Arendals Dampskibsselkab , Arendal, Norway.
11 November 1954 launched under the name ARENDAL.
Tonnage 590 gross, dim. 200.6 x 36 x 19.5ft., bpp 180ft, draught 14.3ft.
Powered by one 6-cyl MAN diesel, 800 bhp., speed 10.5 knots. One variable-pitch propeller.
Ice strengthened.
February 1955 delivered to owners.

1955 Sold to the British Antarctic Survey, United Kingdom, renamed SHACKLETON.
Converted to a survey and supply ship. Tonnage then given as 1.103 gross, 288 net, 840 dwt.
29 December 1955 she sailed out from England for her first Antarctic voyage to supply the 9 British basis camps in the Antarctic, and two new meteorological stations were built, one on Detaille Island, named Base W, and a base (Base O) on Danco Coast.

04/05 December 1967, after an earthquake and volcano eruption on Deception Island, the SHACKLETON evacuated the British scientists from the island.
Two days later the SHACKLETON passed the Neptune Bellows in the Whale Bay to investigate what had happen with the British base there. The camp was covered with a foot thick layer of ash, and when she was there new eruptions took place, steam and ash were thrown in the air to a height of 5000 meter.

1969 Transferred to the National Environment Research Council in the U.K.
1970/71 Converted in a survey vessel by the yard of James Lamont at Greenock, after her refit could be used worldwide for survey work, with a crew of 32 and 14 scientists.
1983 Renamed in GEOTEK.
1984 Sold to Gardliner Shipping Ltd., U.K., renamed in PROFILER.
1992 Registered in Panama, renamed SEA PROFILER.
http://www.equasis.org gives her in 2008 under the same name. Registered owner, and managed by Gardline Geosurveys in Great Yarmouth, U.K. Still under Panama flag. IMO No 5321576.

2011 Sold by Gardline Shipping Ltd., Panama, to U.K. breakers and reported awaiting demolition at New Holland 07 April 2011.
April 2011 broken up at New Holland.

Source: Marine News. Register of Merchant Ships Completed in 1954. Log Book.
Lloyds Register 1955/56. Marine News 2011/375.