Built as a cargo vessel on the yard of Georgi Dimitrov, Varna, Bulgaria for Czechoslovak Ocean Shipping (COS), Prague.
16 March 1960 launched under the name PIONYR.
Tonnage 1.960 grt, 844 net, 3.025 dwt., dim. 92.4 x 13.8 x 5.6m, length bpp. 85.4m.
One diesel engine 1.620 hp., speed 13 knots.
03 August 1960 delivered to owners.
The type was a further development of the World War II German Hansa A type cargo vessel.
On a voyage from Havana and Mao, Cuba to Szczecin, Poland, loaded with 1.400 tons of copper concentrate, 7.300 bags of nickel sinters, 1.000 drums of nickel cobalt, 340 cases of marble slabs and other general cargo.
06 August 1969 during that voyage she ran aground over her full length off Mayaguana Island in lat. 22 27N 73 08W.
After some cargo was offloaded, the weather deteriorated, causing further damage and flooding.
The wreck was abandoned about five weeks later, being subsequently settled as a constructive total loss.
Czechoslovakia 1989 1k sg 2970, scott 2737
Source: Register of Merchant ships completed in 1960. Modern Shipping Disasters 1963-1987 by N. Hooke.