BALLAST DREDGERS FROM THE SEVENTIES
Former regular callers at the North and West Quays
By Stephen Morris
Ships belonging to South Coast Shipping Co. Ltd, and registered in Southampton, were regular callers bringing in ballast for the construction industry to the former West Quay, and also serving the North Quay.
The last decent-sized crane on the North Quay was used for unloading many of these ships as shown in the photos below.
Now much larger self-discharging ballast ships like the Britannia Beaver call at the East Quay, vying for space with the cargo ships loading scrap for export.
Click picture to enlarge.
Sand Tern at the West Quay. She was a small dredger of 561 gross tons and sent to the breaker's yard in 1998.
Stephen Morris
Sand Lark passing a Hamburg-registered cargo ship at the East Quay. Sand Lark was built in 1963 at 540 gross tons, re-named Sand Martin, and was eventually sold on for further service in West Africa.
Stephen Morris
Sand Swift at the North Quay. Built in 1969, and sold on to Portuguese owners in 2007.
Stephen Morris
Sand Serin at the North Quay. Built in 1974, 1283 gross tons, and broken up in 2011.
Stephen Morris
Sand Serin just through the bridge heading downriver.
Stephen Morris
Another of the "Sand" fleet departing harbour, passing the East Quay, with a handsome ocean-going yacht, and the stand-by tug Nore Commodore.
Stephen Morris