MV Murree

The Murree in Austin & Pickersgill's shipyard on the day of its launch
History
Pakistan
Name: Murree
Namesake: Murree
Owner: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation
Operator: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation
Port of registry: Karachi, Pakistan
Builder: Austin & Pickersgill
Yard number: 1407
Launched: 5 December 1981 (1981-12-05)
Completed: 22 April 1981
Out of service: 28 October 1989
Identification: IMO 8000161
Fate: Wrecked
Status: Wreck visited by divers
General characteristics
Class & type: SD18
Type: Dry cargo and container
Tonnage: 11,940 GRT; 18,050 DWT
Length: 145.0 metres
Beam: 22.8 metres
Draught: 9.5 metres
Depth: 13.1 metres
Installed power: 10,400 bhp
Propulsion: Diesel
Speed: 15.75 knots
A Chinese owned SD14 in service.

The MV Murree was a 1981 ship, of type SD18, which sank in the English Channel in 1989.

Development

The SD14 type was a 211 strong successor class of Liberty Ship developed by the Austin & Pickersgill's shipyard of the River Wear in Sunderland, Tyne & Wear. The MV Murree was one of three SD18 (ship type) vessels - a larger and more advanced type based on the SD14 - built at Austin & Pickersgill's Southwick yard. SD stands for Shelter Deck. That yard is shut but the company line is now a member of the A&P Group.

Career

Her working life was spent exclusively with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. The name Murree connected the ship with an important Pakistani hill station.

Sinking

Murree sank in a force 10 gale 22 miles south east of Start Point on 28 October 1989 after deck containers were dislodged and damaged the hull. Royal Navy search and rescue Sea King helicopters, of 771 Naval Air Squadron flying from RNAS Culdrose[1] near Helston Cornwall, made a brave and difficult rescue of the 40 crew and passengers.[2][3] Film of the rescue appeared in the BBC television series 999. The subject was covered again by the BBC in 2013 in a John Sergeant documentary about the Westland Sea King Helicopter.[4]

The wreck has subsequently become an attraction for sport divers.

References

External links

Coordinates: 49°57′30″N 3°14′5″W / 49.95833°N 3.23472°W / 49.95833; -3.23472

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