On 05 August 1996, South Africa issued a set of four stamps and four souvenir sheets in conjunction with Safmarine’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Before World War II, South Africa relied almost entirely on foreign shipping lines. The most dominant was the Union-Castle S.S., which was the official carrier of mail between Britain and England.
These ships got priority berthing in South African harbours and also carried much of the government cargoes. The only pre-war ships were a handful of tiny coasters and steamers. After the war the S.A.R. fleet consisted of a sailing vessel, three steamers and the DALIA of 1931.
The U.S. company States Marine Corporation encouraged the establishment of a South African shipping company to secure a partnership for its South African service. After negotiations with the Americans and with a capital of a thousand pounds, the South African Marine Corporation (Safmarine) was formed on 21 June 1946, with a staff of 7.
The first owned ship by the new-formed company was the CONSTANTIA.
She was built under yard No 2453 as a troop transport ship for the United States War Shipping Administration by the Bethlehem Fairfield Shipbuilding Inc., Baltimore, Maryland.
Launched under the name NEW BERN VICTORY.
Tonnage 7.607 gross, 4.640 net, 10.779 dwt. Dim. 455.3 x 62.2 x 28.7ft., length bpp. 439.1ft.
Powered by two steam turbines manufactured by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, Pittsburg, double reduction to single shaft, 6.000 shp., speed 16 knots.
Victory ships carried an armament of 1 – 5 inch gun on the stern, 1 – 3inch gun on the bow, 8 – 20mm MG.
Accommodation for 2.500 troops, she was fitted out with a hospital and operating theatres.
March 1945 completed.
After the war was she used to bring troops home from Europe.
04 June 1945 from Odessa, U.S.S.R in ballast she ran on a mine about 6 miles off the port, the vessel was damaged but not any casualties.
She was temporarily repaired at Istanbul.
1946 The owners were restyled in United States Maritime Commission.
03 April 1947 sold to the South African Marine Corporation Ltd., Cape Town.
Converted in a cargo vessel and renamed CONSTANTIA, named after one of the suburbs of Cape Town.
Passenger accommodation for 12 passengers.
Tonnage 7.607 gross, 4.640 net, 10.799 dwt.
01 August 1947 sailed from New York on her inaugural voyage to South Africa fully loaded.
After discharging and loading a full cargo of ore at Durban, she sailed from this port in September 1947 one her first return voyage bound for Baltimore. After the pilot disembarked, she grounded on an uncharted rock off the port. As they could not discharge the ore, she could not be dry-docked. Therefore, they had to use underwater welding techniques to perform repairs.
July 1961 renamed SOUTH AFRICAN VANGUARD.
1966 Renamed S.A.VANGUARD.
1969 Sold to Fairwind Maritime Corp., Panama, and renamed ISABENA.
04 July 1972, having lightened the American tanker OVERSEAS JOYCE of 9.400 tons of grain at the outer anchorage of Karachi Port, she moved to the port during heavy weather. Not fitted out with any grain shifting boards, the liquid-like cargo of grain moved creating a severe list and almost immediately she capsized and sank at 04.45 a.m. in position 24 45.3N and 66 55.4E off Manora Point.
Five crewmembers lost their live and 33 were rescued by Pakistani navy and port authorities.
The Pakistani vessel ABASIN on 24th July 1972 subsequently struck the wreck only visible during low water, the ABASIN was holed and beached off Manora Point Lighthouse to prevent sinking. The next day she was abandoned by her crew and subsequently she was declared a constructive total loss.
About two years later the Russian vessel KARL LIEBKNECHT struck the wreck of the ISABENA on 07 March 1974, damaging her No 2 hold, she arrived safely into Karachi port and was repaired.
29 May 1975 the wreck was struck again, this time by the Somali vessel DELIMA which got leakage in her No 5 and 6 double bottom tanks, the holes were plugged by divers and she could continue her voyage.
1977 The wreck of the ISABENA was removed.
She is on South Africa 1996 2r sg MS 934
Source: Lloyds War Losses Vol. II. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987 by Norman Hooke. Watercraft Philately Vol. 43 page 43. Some web-sites on Victory ships. Safmarine by W.J. Harvey and C.R. Mackenzie.