MONS CALPE
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:27 pm
She was built under yard No. 485 as a ferry by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co., at Troon for the H.M. Bland & Co. Ltd., Great Britain.
Launched under the name MONS CALPE, the old name of Gibraltar.
Tonnage 1.991 gross, 704 net, dim. 283 x 48.2 x 10.6 ft. (draught). Length bpp. 263ft.
Powered by two 7-cyl. Polar diesels, 2.620bhp, speed 15 knots. Twin screws.
Passenger accommodation for 599 passengers and 60 cars.
Registered in Gibraltar.
August 1954 completed.
Special built for the ferry service between Gibraltar and Tangier, during the summer she made two trips daily, and during the winter one voyage.
Between September 1964 and January 1945 modernized by her builders.
1966 Transferred to Marland Shipping and Trading Co. Ltd., London. (M.H. Bland & Co. Ltd., managers) At that time there were troubles between Gibraltar and Spain, and to prevent problems, when MONS CALPE passed Spanish waters she was registered in England.
1970 Transferred to Bland (Jersey) Ltd., St Peter’s Port.
1973 Again transferred to Marland Shipping and trading Co. Ltd., London.
1986 Sold to A.Karras, Greece.
The same year renamed in CITY OF LIMASSOL in service in the Red Star Line, from Limassol to Heraklion.
1987 Sold to Virgo Shipping Co. Ltd., Sri Lanka and renamed IGOUMENITSA EXPRESS, and used in the service from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi.
1988 Sold to Santa Fe Shipping Co. Ltd, (Marine Faith, Piraeus.) Malta, renamed LILY T
1991 Sold to general National Maritime Transport Co., Tripoli, Libya, renamed AFRIKIA.
1992 Sold to the Government of The People’s Republic of Mozambique, Maputo, renamed AFRICA.
09 December 1997 sank in Maputo.
Gibraltar 1967 2½d sg 203, scott 189.
Source. Bland Gibraltar by Graeme Somner. Marine News. http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/mons_calpe_1954.htm