Skaubryn

Skaubryn

the Ship was owned by Mr. Isak Skaugen, it was intended to be a shelter deck cargo ship for one of his companies, Eikland Co. She was built by Oresundsvarvet Shipbuilding Co in Norway and was launched on October 7, 1950. Whilst being fitting out, owner Mr. Skaugen decided to have her completed as an emigrant liner. He had her transferred to Howaldt Werke shipyard who completed her as a fine small passenger liner. For her time she was an attractive looking ship offering Tourist Class accommodations for 1,205 passengers. Skaubryn was one of the best equipped of the early post War migrant liners. The shape of Skaubryn's hull was such, that it constantly sailed in unwanted little curves, similar to a small rowboat, never heading really straight ahead. It was one of the very last vessels to pass the Suez Canal in 1956 immediately before the closure due to the Egyptian-Israeli war.

Unknown to most, MS Skaubryn also had eight twin bedded cabins accommodating 16 First Class passengers located up on Bridge Deck. The privileged few could enjoy a delightful lounge and bar, and an intimate dinning room.

Skaubryn-Service

Her main service was from European ports to Sydney, Australia; however, she did operate a number of sailings to Canada. She was chartered several times, once by the French Government mid 1950’s to bring troops back from Vietnam. In late September 1956 the Dutch Government used her for a single voyage from Rotterdam to Halifax and New York. That same year and in early 1957, she was again chartered this time by the British Government to transport troops from Singapore to the UK. The Greek Line chartered her later in 1957 for four round trips from Europe and the UK to Quebec, after which she returned on the Australian emigrant service again.

Skaubryn-The Disaster

On March 14, 1958, Skaubryn departed Bremerhaven with1288 passengers onboard. Whilst on the Indian Ocean heading for Australia a fire broke out on March 31, 1958. The fire quickly spread and all passengers evacuated the ship in her lifeboats. Thankfully the seas were calm. The first ship to come to her rescue was the Ellerman passenger cargo liner, the City of Sydney. One passenger died due to a heart attack whilst still in a lifeboat. All passengers were transferred to the City of Sydney, although she could not provide accommodations. The following day, the Lloyd Triestino liner SS Roma arrived and all passengers were transferred to this comfortable passenger liner.

The fire on the Skaubryn caused great damage to her forward and central superstructure, whilst her stern remained untouched. An attempt was made to tow her to Aden, first by HMS Loch Fada, then the Dutch Tug Cycloop, however, Skaubryn slowly took on water and she eventually sank on April 6, 1958.

Skaubryn-Her Fame

Due to her short lifespan, MS Skaubryn is not one of the better known emigrant ships that sailed to Australia in the 1950’s, and generally little is known about her.

References

Informationhttp://www.ssmaritime.com/Skaubryn.htm

Pictures http://www.ssmaritime.com/Skaubryn.htm