bulkers

The Agamemnon Class Bulkers

After the Super P's and Bay boats came the tanker Titan and then the Agamemnon class bulkers. Entirley designed and built by Mitsui Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. ltd., Osaka, Japan the five Agamemnon class bulkers were Agamemnon 1972, Antenor 1972, Achilles 1972, Ajax 1973 and Anchises 1973.

They were 16,124grt. Length 176.8 m, beam 22.86 m and had a draught of 10.58 m

Powered by Mitsui B & W engines to give a speed of 15 knots

Ajax is of special interest as she is reported to be still sailing. Her keel was laid on 1st October 1972 and she was delivered on 1st April 1973 (info from Mary Anne Schooling). In 1984 she was sold to the Russians and renamed Alder, 1992 she became the North Wind, 1993 the Cannes and by 1999 she was given her present name of Elizabeth.

Mary Anne Schooling's husband Lloyd was an Engineer on Achilles. She sailed with him and took the photos below. Mouse over each thumbnail for a description and to see a larger version just click. All photos are copywright and belong to Mary Anne. Many thanks to Mary Anne and Lloyd.

If you remember Mary Anne or Lloyd and you want to get in touch click here.

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November 1977 Milos, Greece and Achilles loading bentonite.

Here we see Achilles from the bridge as she sails into New York June 1978

No Twin Towers or Achilles now.

Taken on Achilles whilst attempting a dash (as much as you could dash on the Achilles) out of the St Lawrence before the river froze over. This photo was taken on 8th December 1977, they had to be out by 10th December and j-u-sssss-t made it!

January 1978

Achilles sailing through the Gulf of Mexico

Mary Anne writes:

Achilles in the Welland Canal Lock 6,May 1978. The wives had been lowered down in Lock 1, we had gone to Niagara Falls, and we were meeting the ship at Lock 6. At the time, I realized that we were illegal immigrants into Canada, we were on our way to Toledo to discharge steel, and I don't think we had been through immigration procedures in either the United States or Canada. We certainly were living dangerously!

Mary Anne writes:

July 1978: We were awaiting a crew change, but were anchored in Tampa Bay and the Capt was scheduled to return for whatever reason before the ship was to berth. The Capts in question were Niblock (outgoing) and Foster (incoming), Capt Foster joined the ship with us in Port Said in Nov the year before. We had a change of Chief Steward as well.