LADY SLATER and KIRK PRIDE

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LADY SLATER and KIRK PRIDE

Post by shipstamps » Fri Sep 26, 2008 11:33 pm

The Cayman Islands have a rich seafaring heritage and following centuries of regional trading. Caymanians ventured to sea in merchant ships. They were well known for their excellent seamanship and were therefore highly sought after as crew. By the early part of the 20th Century, over one fifth of the population earned a living at sea as merchant mariners and this continued for many decades. As a result of the global slump in shipping during the late 1960’s, the economy diversified into tourism and banking, however Caymanians have retained their maritime tradition, which today, is demonstrated by the provision of a first class international shipping registry. As a Category 1 British Registry. The Cayman Islands are qualified to register vessels of all sizes and classes from yachts to supertankers and have a reputation for quality, efficiency and responsiveness to owners requirement.


LADY SLATER

Built in 1934 by Capt. Rayal B. Bodden MBE, JP yard in North Church Street, George Town, Cayman Islands for the Cayman Islands and Gulf Motor Boat Company Ltd., Georgetown, Cayman Islands.
Launched under the name LADY SLATER, named after the wife of the Governor of Jamaica.
Tonnage 273 grt, 145 net, 167 dwt., dim. 109.1 x 23.6 x 9.3ft.
Powered by a 2-cyl diesel engine, 50 nhp.

She was one of the many ships built there, but just over 109 feet long and more than 273 tons, was she the largest motor vessel ever built in the Cayman Islands. Used in the trade between the Cayman Islands and Florida.

December 1939 hired by the Royal Navy for the examination service.
Sadly the Shipping Registry records show that LADY SLATER was totally destroyed by fire off Plumb Point Lighthouse, Jamaica on the night of 30 July 1940.

Capt. Bodden’s talents were not limited to shipbuilding however, and the Elmslie Memorial Church that he also built overlooking George Town Harbour, forms a more enduring memorial to one of the Cayman Island’s great heroes.

She is on Cayman Islands 2004 15c.

KIRK PRIDE

Built in 1949 under yard No. 242 as a cargo vessel by the Canadian Vickers Ltd., Montreal for the Cia Anon Venezolana de Nav., at La Guaire, Venuzuela.
Launched under the name ZULIA. (not ZULLIA as given in Watercraft Philately 2004)
Tonnage 558 grt, 218 net, 682 dwt., dim. 183.6 x 30.1 x 18ft., draught 11.0½ft.
Powered by one 6-cyl. 4SA oil engine, 900 bhp., speed 11 knots. The engine was manufactured by Nordberg Mfg. Co., St Louis, USA.

1959 Sold to N.G. Kirkconnell (Kirk Pride Shipping Company). , Georgetown, Cayman Islands, and renamed KIRK PRIDE.
She served the Cayman Islands for 10 years by providing a regular freight service from Florida, until the night of 10 January 1976.
Following engine failure the vessel was pushed onto the shore by wind and the sea, resulting in damage to her stern. Despite being holed, she was successfully towed off the rocks but valiant efforts to keep her afloat were unsuccessful, although thankfully without loss of live.
With coral, sea fans and stalked crinoids, she now forms part of Cayman’s unique environment.

She is on Cayman Islands 2004 30c.

Sources: Cyman Philately Bureau. Watercraft Philately 2004. Lloyds Register 1955/56. 1938/39
Attachments
Lady Slater.jpg
Kirk Pride.jpg

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