FREMANTLE STAR Imo 5121055

[Seadog Pete R.I.P.]

FREMANTLE STAR unknown location, undated
Photo collection:Peter Schliefke (copyright unknown)

Built by Cammell, Laird & Co., Birkenhead, Yard-No.1290
8403 GT, 12171 dwt – 143.3 x 21.4m
Launched:30-12-1959.Completed: -04-1960
1960 FREMANTLE STAR Blue Star Line Ltd., London, Gbr.
1979 CATARINA Caxton Marine Enterprise Corp., Singapore, Sgp.
30-11-1979 broken up by Nan Long Steel & Iron Co., Kaohsiung
Source:Miramar Ship Index, by arrangement

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On the 5th May 1965 the Indian Steamship Companies vessel Indian
Merchant (7,659/44) suffered engine trouble and was in danger of going
aground, when about 12 miles south of Ras Garib, in the Gulf of Suez. The
Fremantle Star came to her aid and took her in tow. A number of vessels
had passed the two ships, when the Egyptian passenger vessel Mecca,
approached, passing the Fremantle Star and her tow on her port side. When
the Mecca was abeam of the Blue Star vessel suddenly and without warning
she turned hard to port and crashed into the Fremantle Star, just forward of
the bridge. The Mecca had an ice reinforced raked bow, which sliced into
No. 3 hold on the port side, stopping the Fremantle Star in her tracks, and at
the same time allowing her tow to start to creep up on her. The Captain of
the Indian Merchant had witnessed the entire incident, and luckily his
engine room staff had managed to repair the problem, allowing them to slip
the tow and make her way to a nearby safe anchorage. The Egyptian Master
of the Mecca was all for backing out, but Captain Harry Windle of the
Fremantle Star advised him to remain where he was until the damage could
be assessed. It was quickly realised that the Fremantle Star would not sink if
the Mecca reversed away. So this was slowly carried out with boxes of
Australian apples spilling out of the gaping hole in the port side, as the
Mecca retreated. The Fremantle Star then proceeded slowly towards Suez,
which she reached safely, but heavily down by the bow. At Port Said, she
was dry docked and repaired, and like the Indian Merchant, soon returned
to service.
Collision details kindly provided by Tony Atkinson
Source: http://www.bluestarline.org/fremantle2.html