SS Torrey Canyon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
| Name | SS Torrey Canyon |
| Owner | Unocal Corporation |
| Operator | British Petroleum |
| Port of registry |  Liberia |
| Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co |
| Yard number | 532 |
| Launched | 28 October 1958 |
| Completed | January 1959 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sank after running aground on 18 March 1967 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Supertanker |
| Tonnage | 61,263 GRT |
| Length | 974.4 ft (297.0 m) |
| Beam | 125.4 ft (38.2 m) |
| Draught | 68.7 ft (20.9 m) |
| Propulsion | Single shaft; steam turbine |
| Speed | 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph) |
| Capacity | 120,000 tons of crude oil |
SS Torrey Canyon was an LR2 Suezmax class oil tanker with a cargo capacity of 120,000 short tons (110,000 t) of crude oil. She was shipwrecked off the western coast of Cornwall, England, on 18 March 1967, causing an environmental disaster. At that time she was the largest vessel ever to be wrecked.
Design and history
When laid down by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in the United States in 1959, she had a capacity of 60,000 short tons (54,000 t). However, the ship was later enlarged by Sasebo Heavy Industries in Japan to 120,000 short tons (110,000 t) capacity.
At the time of the shipwreck she was owned by Barracuda Tanker Corporation, a subsidiary of the Union Oil Company of California, and registered in Liberia but chartered to British Petroleum. She was 974.4 feet (297.0 m) long, 125.4 feet (38.2 m) beam and had 68.7 feet (20.9 m) of draught..
Aftermath
An inquiry in Liberia, where the ship was registered, found Shipmaster Pastrengo Rugiati was to blame, because he took a shortcut to save time to get to Milford Haven. Additionally a design fault meant that the helmsman was unaware that the steering selector switch had been accidentally left on autopilot and hence was unable to carry out a timely turn to go through the shipping channel.
The wreck lies at a depth of 30 metres (98 ft).
See also
In Spanish: Torrey Canyon para niños
