TRISTANIA (I)

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a trawler-minesweeper by Cochrane & Sons, Selby for the Royal Navy.
15 August 1939 keel laid down.
12 December 1939 launched as the HMS BAY one of the Tree Class minesweepers.
Tonnage 505 ton, dim. 164.1 x 27.7ft.
One reciprocating engine, 850 hp, one shaft, speed 11 knots.
Armament 1 – 12pdr.AA, 2 – 5” AA guns and 4 MG AA.
Crew 35.
10 July 1940 in commission.

Of her war history I could not find much, she was stationed from 1940/41 in Sheerness.

1947 After the war sold to Brodere Hetland, Bryne, Norway, with the intention to rebuild her in a small reefer vessel, but before the refit was finished she was sold to Tristan da Cunha Development Co. Ltd, Tristan da Cunha.
Used as a lobster factory vessel in the fishery around Tristan da Cunha.
1950 Renamed ISOLDA.
Tonnage given as 628 gross, 345 net. Dim. 50.02 x 8.44 x 4.58m.
1951 Fitted out with a new 6-cyl. diesel engine, manufactured by Waggon Masch., Hamburg. 600bhp.
1952 Renamed in TRISTANIA.

When in October 1961 due to a volcanic eruption had to be evacuated, part of the inhabitants was transferred to the nearby island Nightingale on board her and an other trawler. The Dutch ship TJISADANE completed the rescue
The most important equipment of the lobster factory at the island was also brought by the crew onboard the TRISTANIA.

1976 Sold to Oceanpac Ltd., South Africa and thereafter to Cuttlefish SWA Ltd., without a name change.

October 1975, when fishing in the southern fishing grounds off South Africa, a fire broke out in her engine room. After the fire was extinguished was she towed to Port Elizabeth and from there to Cape Town, laid up unrepaired.
22 February 1978 towed out to sea where the TRISTANIA was scuttled off Robben Island.

Tristan da Cunha 1965 1s6d sg81, scott81, 1971 7½p sg144, scott 1993 35p sg546, 1998 45p sg634.
Tristan da Cunha 2013 95p sg?, scott? (By the issues is given):
The 95p stamp shows MV TRISTANIA. The MV TRISTANIA was heavily involved during the entire volcano period. One of two fishing vessels licensed to fish Tristan waters, she was off-shore at the time of the eruption on 10th October 1961 and was instrumental in evacuating the islanders to nearby Nightingale Island to await further evacuation to safety. On 8th September 1962, she landed the Resettlement Survey team on Tristan and on 9th April 1963, she assisted in the return of the first resettlement party of 51 islanders.

Tristan da Cunha 2022 £1.10 sg?, Scott?

Source: Log Book. Lloyds Register. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987 by Norman Hooke.