Saturday 27 March 2010

M.V.OCEAN COAST

Ship No 215

Was the third in line of a 4 ship order for Coast Line’s Shipping Company.

She was a twin screw Motor Cargo vessel, designed and built for the trade routes around the British Isles and other short sea route trading. They were the most modern of design for the time, and were to establish a new standard of efficiency and economy. The Coast line vessels were to be called up early to serve in the coming World War 2 (you can read more of ther exploits in the page about Leith Built Ships on War Service)
She was the largest of the four ship order at 20 feet longer than her two previous sister ship’s “British Coast” and “Atlantic Coast” at 1,173 tons with a length overall of 250 feet and a beam of 38 feet.

She was launched from the Leith Yard on 31st of July 1935.

M.V. Ocean Coast was probably the fastest and best equipped in the British coastal service, at the outbreak of war, served in home waters and made several voyages to Gibraltar, and like her sister’s served the West African coast before returning to take part in the invasion of Normandy. On occasions she received attention from the enemy, and fortunately escaped damage.

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