MV Gullfoss
MV Gullfoss unloading at Reykjavik in 1968
| |
History | |
---|---|
Iceland | |
Name | MV Gullfoss |
Owner | Eimskipafelag Islands |
Operator | Eimskipafelag Islands |
Port of registry | Reykjavík |
Route | Reykjavik-Leith-Copenhagen-(winter only) Hamburg |
Builder | Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen |
Yard number | 702 |
Launched | 8 December 1949 |
Maiden voyage | 14 May 1950 |
In service | 1950 |
Out of service | 1973 |
Renamed | MV Mecca |
Homeport | Reykjavík |
Identification | IMO number: 5138046 |
Fate | Sank 1976 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Passenger Steamer. |
Tonnage | 3,858Brt 1,850Dwt |
Length | 108.2 m (355 ft) |
Beam | 14.55 m (47.7 ft) |
Draught | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
Propulsion | 12 cyl, B&W diesel, 4025 hp |
Speed | 15.5 knots (17.8 mph) |
Capacity | Passenger: 209 (105 1st, 62 2nd and 44 3rd class)[1] |
MV Gullfoss was an Icelandic passenger and cargo ship operating between Iceland, Denmark, and Scotland from 1950 to 1972. She replaced another Gullfoss, both being named after the much-visited Gullfoss waterfall.
In 1939
Some days after launching, Gullfoss suffered a dust explosion, which killed four shipyard workers and injured two.
On 14 May 1950, she made her maiden voyage from Copenhagen, Denmark, carrying 164 passengers, arriving in Reykjavík, Iceland, on Saturday, 20 May, to a ministerial welcome.
During the 1950s and 1960s Gullfoss ran fortnightly in summer on the Copenhagen-
In 1963, Gullfoss was damaged by fire whilst being inspected at her builder's yard and in 1966 she collided with MV Malmöhus near Copenhagen.[3]
By the early 1970s Gullfoss operated only during the summer, and in 1972, owing to airline competition, she was temporarily laid up. During this period she evacuated Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) in January 1973 when Eldfell volcano erupted. In May 1973 Gullfoss started its last regular voyage on the Reykjavik - Leith - Copenhagen route.
On 15 November 1973, Gullfoss was sold to Fouad A. Khayat & Co. (Orri Navigation Lines) of
See also
References
- ^ COASTERS & OTHER SHIPS REVIVED » GULLFOSS – 1950 – IMO 5138046. 7seasvessels.com (18 November 2012).
- ^ Hf. Eimskipafelag Islands Archived 2 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Heimsnet.is.
- ^ M/S GULLFOSS (1950). Faktaomfartyg.se.
- ^ MS GULLFOSS - Eimskipafelag Islands. Ships Nostalgia.
- ^ Edinburgh History - Recollections - Sailing to Leith. Edinphoto.org.uk.
- ^ MV Mecca +1976 The Wrecksite