The British Ship “Hespérides” (1949-1960)

The ship “Hespérides” belonged to the British company British & South America SN Co. Ltd. It was launched on May 2, 1949, under the name “Empire Longstone.” Upon its delivery in August of that year, it bore the mythological name of the Canary Islands and the password of the aforementioned shipping company, to which it belonged until 1957 when it was sold to Houston Line Ltd.

In the last stage of its maritime life, between 1960 and 1962, it sailed under the renamed “Clan Murray” — the fourth with this name in the history of the aforementioned shipping company — and on November 25 of that year, it arrived in Hirao, Japan, where it was dismantled by the staff of Matsukura KK factory.

Construction number 9 from the S.B. Corp. Wear shipyard in Southwick, it was a ship of 7,301 gross tons and 10,131 deadweight tons, with main dimensions of 136.90 m in total length and 17.10 m in beam. It was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, allowing it to maintain a speed of 11 knots.

Photo: FotoFlite