Capetown Castle (Union Castle)

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shipstamps
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Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:12 pm

Capetown Castle (Union Castle)

Post by shipstamps » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:57 pm

Built by Harland and Wolff and delivered to Union Castle 31st March 1938. At that time she was the longest floating motorship in the world. Requisitioned in 1940 as a troopship. In 1943 she trooped USA-UK during Operation Bolero build up for D-Day. Released back to Union castle in 1946 and, after refurbishment she resumed the mail service 9th Jan 1947.
During 1965 £100,000 in gold ingots were stolen from a strong room and next voyage were found cemented in a hold. Two crew were imprisoned.
Broken up 1967.
South West Africa SG96
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SG96.jpg
Capetown Castle copy.jpg

aukepalmhof
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Re: Capetown Castle (Union Castle)

Post by aukepalmhof » Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:30 pm

In 1937 South West Africa issued two stamps one with English text the other with South African text.
When the stamp was issued the vessel was still under construction, and the stamp design is an artist’s impression of the vessel, at that time under construction.

Built as a passenger-cargo-reefer vessel under yard no 986 by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast for the Union Castle Line, London.
23 September 1937 launched as the CAPETOWN CASTLE, she was christened by Mrs. J.D.Low, Mayoress of Cape Town. The ships name was given to the ship as one word)
Tonnage 27,000 gross, 16,454 net, 15,097 dwt, dim. 222.7 x 25.1 x 12.8m.
Powered by two B&W 2 S DA 10 cyl. diesel engines manufactured by shipbuilder, 4,650 nhp.speed 19.5 knots.
Accommodation for 290 first-class and 500 cabin class.
31 March 1938 completed, homeport London.

13 May 1940 arrived for the first time in Cape Town.
26 November 1940 requisitioned by the British Ministry of Shipping for use as a troopship.
She carried the next six years 164.000 troops and passengers.
November 1942 used for troop transport during the North African Campaign, from 1943 in service on the North Atlantic to ferry American troops.
29 July 1946 decommissioned, thereafter she went to the builder for a refit in a mail ship.
Accommodation for 244 first-class, 553 cabins, 1957 cabin class was altered in tourist class.
17 October off the Canary Islands near Las Palmas she got an explosion in the engine room which killed six engineer room staff.
January 1965 two gold bars were stolen from a strong room, but later recovered,

She was to slow for the 11½ day mail service to South Africa, she was replaced by a faster vessel, while CAPETOWN CASTLE was placed in the intermediate fifteen-day service as one class 776 passenger ship.
10 May 1966 in the entrance of Vlissingen (Flushing) she grounded, during the next high tide she was refloated by five Dutch tugs.
September 1966 made two cruises from Southampton to Palma de Mallorca, thereafter she briefly returned to the mail service due to the late delivery of the GOOD HOPE CASTLE.
23 August 1967 sailed the last time from Cape Town.
26 September 1967 she arrived at La Spezia, Italy was sold to Terrestre Maritime S.p.A. for scrap.
Source: Union-Castle Line by Peter Newall. Merchant fleets in profile 3 by Duncan Haws.
South West Africa 1936 1½d sg96 scott?
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Image (25).jpg

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