SS Heraklion

SS Heraklion

The SS Heraklion was a car ferry that capsized and sank on December 8, 1966 in the Aegean Sea, resulting in the deaths of over 200 people.

Background

The SS Heraklion was constructed by the Fairfield Yards in Scotland, and launched in December 1949. Its first name was "Leicestershire", and was initially run by the British based Bibby Line. She was then bought by Aegean Steam Shipping Tipaldos Bros. In late 1964, the ship underwent conversion to become a car ferry and entered service on the Piraeus-Chania and Piraeus-Heraklion routes. The ship had an overall length of 498 ft (152 m), a beam of 60 ft (18 m), gross tonnage of 8.922 tons, and single prop speed of 17 knots. Winter capacity was 35 trucks with an average weight of 10 tons. The SS Heraklion had its last survey on June 29, 1966.

Sinking

On the night of December 7, 1966 the SS Heraklion sailed from the port of Souda - in the city of Chania - to Piraeus in Athens. This route crosses relatively sheltered waters but seas can be surprisingly rough, especially during winter. Halfway through the approximately 100 mile voyage, the ship found itself in poor weather and rough seas. It sank at 2:06am on December 8, 1966, six miles south of Falkonera, a small rocky parcel at coord|36|52|N|24|8|E.

The most probable cause for the sinking has been determined to be an unsecured refrigerator truck in the garage area repeatedly hitting the midship loading doors, before plummeting into the sea where it has been found floating the next morning. The damaged loading door provided an entry point for the sea water, and the ship capsized.

Aftermath

Only 47 of those on board were rescued since most passengers and crew were trapped in their quarters. Officially there were 191 passengers and 73 crew on board, but the exact number is unknown, since at the time it was customary to board the ship without a ticket, which would be issued upon sailing.

In the 1990s a sculpture known as "The Monument of the Hand" was erected near the harbour in Chania to commemorate the victims of the accident.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Heraklion — Héraklion Héraklion (el) Ηράκλειο Administration Pays …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Heraklion (disambiguation) — Heraklion (Greek: Ἡράκλειον )(alternative spellings: Iraklio , Iraklion , Irakleio , Herakleion ) may refer to the following places:Ancient*Herakleion, Pieria Macedon Greece *Heracleion, an ancient city in the Abu Qir Bay that was discovered by… …   Wikipedia

  • Heraklion-Nessebar — ist ein griechisches Radsportteam. Die Mannschaft wurde 2007 als Continental Team unter dem Namen Technal Kastro gegründet. 2008 fuhr sie unter dem Namen Cosmote Kastro und seit 2009 als Heraklion Nessebar. Sportliche Leiter sind Nikolaos… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Héraklion — ou Hêraklion (anc. Candie) port de l île de Crète (Grèce); ch. l. du nome du m. nom; 101 630 hab. Fut vénitien de 1204 à 1669 …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Hêraklion — Héraklion ou Hêraklion (anc. Candie) port de l île de Crète (Grèce); ch. l. du nome du m. nom; 101 630 hab. Fut vénitien de 1204 à 1669 …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Heraklion — Heraklion, Dorf im Nordosten von Athen, durch baierische Colonisten angelegt, die es nach der Septemberrevolution 1843 vorzogen, sich hier eine neue Heimath zu gründen, statt nach ihrem Vaterlande zurückzukehren …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Heraklion — or Herakleion [hi rak′lē ən] IRAKLION * * * …   Universalium

  • Heraklion — or Herakleion [hi rak′lē ən] IRAKLION …   English World dictionary

  • Heraklion — For other uses, see Heraklion (disambiguation). Heraklion Ηράκλειο The Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare (1523–1 …   Wikipedia

  • Héraklion — 35° 20′ 00″ N 25° 00′ 48″ E / 35.33333, 25.013333 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Heraklion International Airport — HER redirects here. For other uses, see HER (disambiguation). Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Ηρακλείου Νίκος Καζαντζάκης View of Heraklion Airport IATA: HER – ICAO …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”