Shipping Lines

Two ships were far out to the south, towards Scurdie Ness Lighthouse.

The ship closest to the entrance of the South Esk estuary could be identified as a large offshore-related vessel, complete with a helideck over her fo’c’sle, extensive accommodation amidships while further aft a heavy duty crane was fitted. What appeared to be a short distance astern of her was observed a small coaster which I took to be the Riga-registered, Latvian-flagged CEG Universe, inward bound for Montrose with a cargo of cement from Drogheda, an industrial and port town 35 miles north of Dublin.

It suffered at the hands of Cromwell’s army in 1649 when many of the Royalist defenders were killed and a large number shipped off to Barbados. In more settled times, maritime history confirms in 1790 Drogheda Harbour Commissioners were established, remaining in place until 1997 when Drogheda Port Company was formed. In 1825 Drogheda Steam Packet Company was started in the port to commence services to Liverpool.

For 70 years or thereabouts I have been interested in Dutch coasters and preferred them to mega cruise liners and ahead of giant tankers, massive bulk carriers and container ships.

It was a dream come true back in 1985 when I had the opportunity to stay overnight in a hotel in Groningen, at one time the “coaster capital” of The Netherlands. I was travelling to a series of sales meetings at oilfield pipeyard offices in the nearby busy port of Delfzijl, the home of several prominent Dutch shipping companies.

Therefore, the pending arrival of the CEG Universe was the highlight of that particular weekend. From the time of her construction, Ferus Smit and other similar yards received over 30 orders for similar coasters of a relatively simple design with the majority featuring a box-shaped single hold, double-sided skins and deep hatch coamings.

While most were configured to individual owner’s requirements, all were within the restrictions of the sea lock at Delfzijl.

There were two classes of Ferus ship – 1300 standard and the 3000 class. An example of the former class came to Montrose firstly as Willy, then as Anna, later as Christine Y and latterly as Christine, prior to heading off to sunnier climes in West Africa, flying the flag of Liberia with her home port being Monrovia.

Ferus Smit’s history stretches back over 100 years. It has developed from schooners through to a 23,000-ton deadweight general cargo bulk carrier, and, on the design and construction side, from cotton sails to 12-cylinder marine diesels and from rivets to automatic welding, with the yard evolving from a humble barn to ultra-modern assembly facilities.

The CEG Universe, built as Feran, changing to Carolina, Zuiderzee and Dan Fisher is now registered at Riga and flying the flag of Latvia. Only 64 metres in length she is ideal for trading to upriver ports.