Foochow III

Sister ship to Fengtien II

Foochow III
ID /IMO No. 5117509.
Type	Cargo
Gross Registered Tonnage	3,279 grt. 1.891 nett.
Builder	Wm.Gray & Co. West Hartlepool. Yard No. 1185.
Delivery date	Dec.1945.
Hull	Steel, clincher construction.
Decks	2.
Length	328.5 ft. F'c'sle 28 ft. Bridge 97 ft. Poop 32 ft.
Width	47 ft.
Depth	25.5 ft.
Engine Builder	Central Marine Engine Works, Hartlepool.
Engine Type	Steam, triple expansion.
Engine cylinders	3.
Propulsion mode	Single screw.
Speed	12 kts.
Deadweight	3,702 tons.
Power	Steam.
Boiler	2, circulating (scotch) with superheaters.
Boiler pressure	215 psi
Fuel	Oil.
Generator voltage	110V d.c.
Propeller	Right hand.
Propeller blades	4.
Propeller formation	Solid.
Propeller material	Bronze.
Launched	Aug 24th. 1945.
Delivered to owner	China Navigation Co.
Notes
No. 2 hatch lengthened for long loads. A small hatch is incorprated for'd of the funnel.

History

The Foochow III, Fukien, and Fengtien II were originally designed in conjunction with the M.O.W.T. to be paid for by CNCo. but to be operated in conjunction with the M.O.W.T. until the cessation of hostilities. Two other ships were to be similarly paid for by Indo China Steam Navigation Co. (Jardine Matheson & Co.) However the war finished before the ships were completed and the vessels were completed for the owners. It was convenient as the orders were placed with the shipyards under direction of the M.O.W.T. assuring the companies of a building berth at a time when there was a shortage of ships.

The first of a series five vessels from this shipbuilder. No 2 hatch was longer in order to enable longer loads to be carried. The other four were the "Fukien", "Fengtien II", "Funing I" and the "Fengning". This class of ships was similar to The Indo China Steam Navigation Co's "Loksang", built March 1946, and "Taksang". built January 1946, which were powered by a steam turbine main engine.

October 1965. Sold to the Prosperity S.S.Co., Panama. Renamed "Eternity".

March 12th. 1970. During a voyage from Cambodia to Hong Kong in ballast, during a storm, she heeled over and was being abandoned when suddenly she capsized and sank with the loss of 8 lives.

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