SS River Loddon - Official No.159584. 4,984t gross, 2,860t net, 8,510t deadweight.
Dimensions: 449ft 1in x 56ft 8ins x 24ft 7ins.

Built at the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard, Williamstown in Melbourne, this vessel was one of the "A" class built to Plan No. RH 1/2. It was ordered 23/06/1941, keel laid 04/12/1941, launched 22/04/1944 and completed 20/12/1944.

All accomodation was amidships.
The deck machinery consisted of 12 - 5 ton derricks and 1 - 20 ton heavy derrick. Also 13 - 8x12 inch steam winches, including warping winch.
The propulsion machinery - built by the Commonwealth Government Marine Engine Works, Melbourne - was the triple expansion steam type with an exhaust turbine fitted. Steam was supplied by 2 B&W water tube boilers. Giving an average service speed of 12 knots.

McIlwraith McEacharn were appointed to manage the "River Loddon" until Oct.1947 when management was transferred to the Australian Shipping Board. In March 1957 management was transferred again, this time to the Australian National Line.

A visitor to this web page - C.A.Van Eyk, recalls that while serving on the "Loddon" in 1957 they took a cargo of flour to Ceylon. It was during the Suez crisis and the vessel was chartered by the "Bank" line to help make up for the shortage of shipping east of Suez.
During the 7 months away from Australia the "Loddon" visited India, East Pakistan, Colombo, and many ports on the East Coast of Africa. Further east, ports visited included Singapore, Hong Kong, 5 ports in Japan and back to Australia via Nauru.
This brief description of the voyage conjures up memories that all seamen enjoy - especially in our old age!

In Jan.1963 the vessel was sold through Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha to Amakasu Sangyo Kisen K.K. for demolition.
The vessel left Sydney during Jan.1963 in tow of the tug Nissho Mau (with the River Murrumbidgee) for Japan. Demolition began in Mar.1963 at Osaka.

SCALE MODEL OF SS RIVER LODDON

Below is a working model of the "Loddon" skillfuly made by Frans Taminiau, a visitor to this web page.
The model is 1.35 metres long, the hull is of fibreglass construction with a plywood deck - planked where required.
Plastic card has been used for the building of the superstructure.
Propulsion is achieved using a geared down 6volt Monoperm motor and controlled using a 7 channel radio. The propeller is brass and the hull carries 2kg of ballast.

Frans Taminiau can be contacted at the following address: [email protected]

Home
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1