ST HELENA (II) 1990
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:32 pm
She was ordered by the Government of St Helena and paid by the Overseas Development Administration of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, under a U.K aid programme to St Helena.
Built as a passenger- cargo vessel by Hall Russell Ltd., and completed by their successor (when Hall Russel went bankrupt), A & P Appledore (Aberdeen) Ltd., Aberdeen, who negotiated a new and higher price to complete her.
31 October 1989 launched under the name RMS ST. HELENA, christened by H.R.H. Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Tonnage 6.767 gross, 3.130 dwt, dim. 105 x 19.2 x 10m., draught 6.0m.
Two 6-cyl. Mirrlees engines geared to two shafts, 3.723 hp., speed 14.5 knots. Twin controllable pitch propellers.
Accommodation for 132 passengers and 58 crew.
Passenger amenities include a swimming pool, dining saloon to seat 75, lounge, children room, hospital wards, shop and bar.
Cargo capacity 1.800 tons. Can carry 52 TEU’s containers. Two tanks to carry oil, and there is provisions for the carriage of livestock and pets.
October 1990 delivered. Port of registry London.
She was special built to supply St Helena and a replacement of her namesake ST. HELENA of 1963.
Managed by Curnow Shipping Ltd.
The funnel which is painted a slightly acid yellow, bears the sea lion emblem, once the badge of the East India Company, which owned the island of St Helena in the 17th century.
16 November 1990 sailed for her maiden voyage, she will make calls at Tenerife, Ascension, St Helena and Cape Town before heading back to the U.K. Scheduled for six round voyages yearly.
Once a year she makes a round voyage from Cape Town to St Helena.
On her first northbound voyage on 04 Jan. 1991 damaged her starboard engine, and arrived 05 Jan. at Lisbon from where the passengers flown home to the U.K. The ship on one engine limped to Falmouth for a new engine, arrived 20 Jan. 1991 Falmouth.
April 1991 resumed service. Some months later off St Helena rescued the crew of a sunken trawler.
1995 Chartered for a single round Britain cruise by Swan Hellenic.
04 September 2001 management taken over by Weir Shipping, London.
After September 2004 she will not more make any calls in the U.K., limiting her service to the South Atlantic, calling at Ascension, St Helena, Walvis Bay and Cape Town
2009 http://www.equasis.org gives still managed by Weir, owned by St. Helena Line, London. IMO No 8716306.
Call sign MMHE5. Still under U.K. flag.
Ascension 1990 25p sg 533, £1 sgMS 535 , scott 495-7 and 1996 65p sg 703, scott 664.
St Helena 1990 38p sg, 574 and £1 sgMS 576, scott 537-9, 1995 60p sg 709, scott 655 and 1996 60p sg724, scott 680.
Tristan da Cunha 1990 35p sg502 and £1 sgMS504, scott 484-6, 1994 £5 sg564, scott 546 and 1996 60p sg,601, scott 583.
Source: Marine News 1991/28, 84. Watercraft Philately Vol. 38 page 10. Marine News 2004/136.
Built as a passenger- cargo vessel by Hall Russell Ltd., and completed by their successor (when Hall Russel went bankrupt), A & P Appledore (Aberdeen) Ltd., Aberdeen, who negotiated a new and higher price to complete her.
31 October 1989 launched under the name RMS ST. HELENA, christened by H.R.H. Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Tonnage 6.767 gross, 3.130 dwt, dim. 105 x 19.2 x 10m., draught 6.0m.
Two 6-cyl. Mirrlees engines geared to two shafts, 3.723 hp., speed 14.5 knots. Twin controllable pitch propellers.
Accommodation for 132 passengers and 58 crew.
Passenger amenities include a swimming pool, dining saloon to seat 75, lounge, children room, hospital wards, shop and bar.
Cargo capacity 1.800 tons. Can carry 52 TEU’s containers. Two tanks to carry oil, and there is provisions for the carriage of livestock and pets.
October 1990 delivered. Port of registry London.
She was special built to supply St Helena and a replacement of her namesake ST. HELENA of 1963.
Managed by Curnow Shipping Ltd.
The funnel which is painted a slightly acid yellow, bears the sea lion emblem, once the badge of the East India Company, which owned the island of St Helena in the 17th century.
16 November 1990 sailed for her maiden voyage, she will make calls at Tenerife, Ascension, St Helena and Cape Town before heading back to the U.K. Scheduled for six round voyages yearly.
Once a year she makes a round voyage from Cape Town to St Helena.
On her first northbound voyage on 04 Jan. 1991 damaged her starboard engine, and arrived 05 Jan. at Lisbon from where the passengers flown home to the U.K. The ship on one engine limped to Falmouth for a new engine, arrived 20 Jan. 1991 Falmouth.
April 1991 resumed service. Some months later off St Helena rescued the crew of a sunken trawler.
1995 Chartered for a single round Britain cruise by Swan Hellenic.
04 September 2001 management taken over by Weir Shipping, London.
After September 2004 she will not more make any calls in the U.K., limiting her service to the South Atlantic, calling at Ascension, St Helena, Walvis Bay and Cape Town
2009 http://www.equasis.org gives still managed by Weir, owned by St. Helena Line, London. IMO No 8716306.
Call sign MMHE5. Still under U.K. flag.
Ascension 1990 25p sg 533, £1 sgMS 535 , scott 495-7 and 1996 65p sg 703, scott 664.
St Helena 1990 38p sg, 574 and £1 sgMS 576, scott 537-9, 1995 60p sg 709, scott 655 and 1996 60p sg724, scott 680.
Tristan da Cunha 1990 35p sg502 and £1 sgMS504, scott 484-6, 1994 £5 sg564, scott 546 and 1996 60p sg,601, scott 583.
Source: Marine News 1991/28, 84. Watercraft Philately Vol. 38 page 10. Marine News 2004/136.