RMS St Helena (1963) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Operator |
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| Port of registry |
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| Route |
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| Builder | Burrard Dry Dock, North Vancouver |
| Yard number | 314 |
| Launched | 2 February 1963 |
| Maiden voyage | 5 October 1978 (as St Helena) |
| Identification |
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| Fate | Scrapped 9 April 1996 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo liner |
| Tonnage |
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| Length | 98 m (321.52 ft) |
| Beam | 14 m (45.93 ft) |
| Draught | 5.49 m (18.01 ft) |
| Installed power | 4,200 bhp |
| Propulsion | 1 × Stork-Werkspoor diesel engine |
| Speed | 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph) (service) |
| Capacity | 88 (normal) |
The RMS St Helena was a special ship that carried both people (passengers) and goods (cargo). It was built in 1963 and first known as Northland Prince. Later, it became famous for sailing between Britain and South Africa, making important stops at the British island of Saint Helena from 1978 to 1990.
Contents
History
Built for Adventure
The ship was built in 1963 by Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, Canada. When it was new, it was called the Northland Prince. It sailed along the coast between Vancouver and Alaska, carrying people and supplies.
A New Purpose
In 1977, a shipping company called Union-Castle Line stopped its service to Saint Helena. This was a problem for the island, as it relied on ships for mail and supplies. To help, the Saint Helena Government teamed up with a shipping company called Curnow Shipping. Together, they formed the St. Helena Shipping Company.
They bought the Northland Prince and gave it a big makeover. The ship was renamed St Helena and started its new job in September 1978.
Serving Saint Helena
The St Helena's main route was from Avonmouth, England, to Cape Town, South Africa. On its journey, it would stop at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands and Jamestown, Saint Helena on Saint Helena island. This ship was very important for the people of Saint Helena, bringing them mail, food, and other necessary items.
The ship also helped the British government during the Falklands War. It continued its regular service until 1990. That year, a brand new ship, also named St Helena, took over its route.
Final Journey
After its time serving Saint Helena, the old St Helena was sold. It was renamed a few more times, becoming St Helena Island, then Avalon, and finally Indoceanique. The ship was kept in storage for several years because a plan to use it in the Indian Ocean never happened. Sadly, it was taken apart for scrap metal in 1996.
Ship's Features
The St Helena was a good-sized ship. It measured about 3,150 gross register tons, which is a way to measure how much space is inside a ship. It was about 98 m (321.52 ft) long and 14 m (45.93 ft) wide.
It was powered by a single diesel engine and propeller, which helped it travel at a speed of about 16.5 knots (19.0 mph). The ship could carry up to 88 passengers, and everyone on board traveled in a similar type of cabin.
