Loss of the Royston Grange

[ed styles]

40 years ago 11 May  1972, the Royston Grange a Reefer Cargo Ship, a regular to the " Royals", collided with a Liberian flagged Oil Tanker in the River Plate near Montivideo. Shortly after she caught fire from the burning oil , and her cargo of chilled beef and butter ignited, killing the whole ships company of 74 including 12 passengers and some crew from the Tanker.
I think this still rates as the worst loss of life on a British ship since WW 11.
On her final outward voyage from K.G.V. Docks some weeks before I worked on her loading for Sth America .I believe there were local guys in the Crew.
At the Board of Trade Inquiry the Ships Officers were cleared of any blame , as the Tanker was in the wrong Channel in dense early morning fog and months later I met up with a mate of mine from Shaw Savills who happened to be in Montivideo and saw the charred remains of her, she was finally towed to Spain and broken up in 74.

  All the best Ed

[DougT]

Ed

Coming from the Northern end of the borough my knowledge of the docks is somewhat limited however I did come across the attached photograph of the Royston Grange after reading your post.

Regards

Doug

[GeoffM]

Ed

I actually worked in the docks for Blue Star at the time and had this photo among my collection of Dock Photo's which shows the Royston Grange just entering the Royal Docks in 1963.


GeoffM

[Bill Sharpe]

I remember the Royston Grange very well, we were often in B.A. at the same time as the Royston or it's sister ship the Hardwicke Grange. The trip along the Rio Del Plata (the river plate) from B.A. to Monte was often fraught, with all hands at stations for the duration. I remember there were the remains of a Star boat half sunk just outside Monte's harbour and of course the remains of the Graf Spee could still be seen. I can confirm that at least one of the victims was a local lad from Silvertown, we actually had a drink together at Cundy's on the day he sailed on that fateful voyage, I even gave him a lift on the back of my scooter back to his ship.

[EX CUSTOM HOUSE]

   

  Doug,
  Thank you for that wonderful photograph of the Royston Grange.

  She was such a beauty that I cannot visulise the dreadful end she had and in Peace Time!
  I never knew the full story of this tragedy and had not known so many were lost, so thank you once again.

  Louise.

[EX CUSTOM HOUSE]

   

    Ed,
    Thank you so much for that wonderful detailed story re the Royston Grange.

    As posted to Doug I  knew the story but not of the terrible loss of lives.

    She was such a beautiful vessel, I cannot take my eyes off her.  She is just as I remember ships
    were in the 30's.
    Sailing in to Dock knowing my Dad was on board.

    Was that the White Star Line???

    Louise.

[Will.B]

            That beautiful ship Royston Grange was one of Houlder Bros. ships launched in 1959.

  

[ed styles]

Geoff & Doug
                   Thanks for the Photos, there are many different Merchant Navy sites with those wonderful looking Ships, havn't seen the one with her in the K.G.V. Locks though, but those of us who were lucky enough to work on these Ships , and there are a few on this site who did,most times it was a pleasure to go to work ( it was for me ).

Louise,
         I suppose the story of its end was very sad for you, I as I remember when you joined the Forum you told us about the loss of your Father on the Convoys during W.W.11.


  All the best Ed

[ed styles]

Bill,
      I never did the B.A. meat run, but reading your post , reminded where I heard of this tragic loss in more detail. My mate I mentioned earlier was Chippy on the Iberic or possibly Icenic we had a drink aboard then being berthed Sth side K.G.V. finished off in the Roundhouse Pub, and he reaid this story in graphic detail, as I said it had some significance in that I had worked on her some weeks before .
If you worked on the Shore Gang at Shaw Savs do you remember Sid Cook the Bosun , he was in the Pub that night as well , and last time I ever drank there .1 year later went to N.Z. for 3 years, anyway another story

 All the best Ed

[Bill Sharpe]

When I was working at Shaw Saville the shore bosun was Alan Basset - a real gentleman - more like a city businessman than a sailor. I remember the name Siddy Cook but cant put a face to the name.

[EX CUSTOM HOUSE]

          Thanks Ed

           Louise.

[westham john]

Hi all I worked by on the royston grange and was asked if I would like to go deep sea voyage well I was earning good money just working by and see my then girlfriend so I declined,mounth later I was in montividao and you could smell the ship before you see it I will
never forget taking the decision not to sail on her.God Bless There Soles

[westham john]

I think the chief steward had a news agents shop in customhouse.john

[Bill Sharpe]

Hi John,
Was you sent out to Montevideo by Houlder Brothers or did you happen to be on another ship? I had left the Merchant Navy by the time of the disaster but actually gave a lad a lift to join that ship - what a terrible tragedy.

[westham john]

sorry bill be off this site to long,was on board braszil/argentina star I did a lot of work bys in the docks as I liked being home with the family.