MV Elpenor

Harland & Wolff Ltd. Belfast. 1954. 7,757gt, 487 feet

A Class Mark IV

7 cylinder single acting two-stroke B & W

In 1976 transferred to Elder Dempster before being sold in 1977 to Panamanian interests and renamed United Concord. Broken up in Kaohsiung in 1979.

Elpenor off Cape Town

These pictures were kindly supplied by David Ayers.

David was an Engineer on Elpenor for two years and says she was by far the happiest ship he ever sailed on
 

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Perhaps Jim Hammill will remember an incident in Port Swettenham on 21st July on the outward passage when John Kaye lost his right foot when a stopper didn't function properly on the topping lift of No.6 stbd for'd derrick. He was standing in a bight of wire and it took his foot off just above the ankle.

Jim certainly remembers the incident and her is his story:

I was on cargo watch with him and an OS from the IOM when the accident happened at around 8pm. I went to No. 3 hold to arrange cargo lights and then went to no 6 to adjust the derrick . Wehad deck cargo of barrels and the space was very confined around the winch . As I approached I heard an almighty roar and I saw Johnny fall against the barrels. I asked him what was wrong and he said to me "Pat look at my foot". I got his foot and shoe and he said throw it over the side which I did . The OS did a wonderful job as he hung on for dear life to the chain stopper and it jammed his other foot was in the next bight about 6inches away from the lead block on the deck, at this stage other crew had gathered and secured the derrick. Jonny was taken ashore to the hospital in Swettenham and was amputated below the knee. I was up a few times to see him as we were there for afurther 10 day's or so. I packed his bags for him as we were good mates and we were on daywork. Johnny was one nice lad and he came from around Tranmere.