Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Port broadside view of S.S. GRIPFAST, Cardiff Docks, c.1948.

S.S. GRIPFAST (2852gt). Built 1941 as EMPIRE BROOK by Wm. Gray & Co Ltd., West Hartlepool for MoWT, with engine by Central Marine Engine Works, West Hartlepool. She was managed by Stanhope Steamship Co Ltd. 1946 – Sold to Stanhope Steamship Co Ltd., and renamed STANCLIFFE(3), managed by J.A.Billmeir & Co Ltd., London. In 1947, she ran aground and broke her back at the entrance to Sharpness Docks. Declared a total loss, she was however, cut in half and both halves towed to Cardiff where she was repaired. 1948 – Sold (as a complete vessel) to Newbigin Steamship Co. Ltd., Newcastle upon Tyne and renamed GRIPFAST (managed by E.R. Newbigin Ltd.). In 1951, she answered a distress call near Whitby from ss PANDORA (which sank with all 6 hands). GRIPFAST’s propeller became damaged due to contact with the coaster. 1960 – Sold to Saints Anargyroi Compagnia Ltda., Panama, and renamed CAPITAN COSTIS (managed by Ezkos Maritime Technical Co., Greece. 1966 – Sold to Compagnia di Navigazione Patricio, Liberia, and renamed KARINE M. (managed by Mooringwell SteamshipCo., Cardiff). Later that year, she was sold to Siconen Shipping SA, Panama and renamed PITSA (managed by Kalamotusis Shipbroking Ltd., London. PITSA put into Djibouti in October 1967 with boiler defects and leaking oil. In the December she left Aqaba for Colombo, Ceylon under tow, but sank off Socotra Island on the 6th December.