Bridge-class OBO carrier

"Bridge"-class

The "Bridge"-class OBO (Ore-bulk-oil carrier) was a series of six vessels, which were constructed for Bibby Line. Only one vessel of the class, the "Furness Bridge", was built to the original design. It became a very controversial class of vessel, with 2 being lost in active service. ("Derbyshire" and "Kowloon Bridge").

MV "Furness Bridge"

First in class, built in 1971.

MV "English Bridge"/"Kowloon Bridge"

Built in 1973. Suffered structural damage which caused loss of steering control in heavy seas off South West Ireland in November 1986. Ran onto the Kedges reef in West Cork with much local damage caused by oil releases. The crew were airlifted to safety. Described as the largest shipwreck in the world by gross tonnage.

MV "Yorkshire"

Built in 1975.

MV "Mersey Bridge"/"Cambridgeshire"

Built in 1976.

MV "Liverpool Bridge"/"Derbyshire"

The "Derbyshire" was the last of the class, built as the "Liverpool Bridge" in 1976. She was lost after four years of service in 1980. She went down with all 44 hands on board, in the Pacific Ocean off Japan. It was revealed she sunk as the result of failure in her Frame 65 bulkhead, resulting in the ship breaking up in two minutes (from failure of Number 1 hold hatches to the breaking off of the superstructure). "Derbyshire" was under the command of the experienced Captain Geoffrey Underhill.