ROYDUR
ROYDUR
Years Active: 1911-1950
Vessel Type: Steam Ship
Steam Drifter
Nationality: Falkland Islands
Sunk by a Royal Navy frigate in the Falkland Islands in March 1950 after almost 50 years’ service to avoid the cost of scrapping her.
Main Use:
Coaster
Years Active:
1911-1950
Power:
Bergens Mek Vaerks steam engine, 53 NHP
Built:
1911
Size:
174.38 Gross, 60.78 Net tons
32.34 x 6.10 x 2.83 metres
(length, breadth, depth) metres
Design/Build:
Ralanaes Shipbuilding, Tonsberg, Norway as the PORT STANLEY
Main Use: Coaster
Built: 1911
Power: Bergens Mek Vaerks steam engine, 53 NHP
Design/Build: Ralanaes Shipbuilding, Tonsberg, Norway as the PORT STANLEY
Size: 174.38 Gross, 60.78 Net tons
Dimensions: 32.34 x 6.10 x 2.83 metres
When she was launched in Norway on 10th June 1911 as a whaler with the name PORT STANLEY, someone must have had an inkling she would end up in the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands. After more than 20 years catching whales as the PORT STANLEY, she was renamed ROYDUR and fitted with 14 new plates, before spending three idle years docked at Grytviken in South Georgia. In 1936 she was bought by the Falkland Islands Company and used for coastal work. On 12th April 1937, ROYDUR towed the SS GREAT BRITAIN from Stanley Harbour to Sparrow Cove in Port William, where the famous ship would spend the next 33 years. During WW2 ROYDUR was one of 67 motorised whaling ships taken over by the Admiralty in London, becoming, in September 1939, HMS ROYDUR, making regular night-time patrols around the mouth of Port William. She was returned to the FIC in November 1944. On 17th March 1950 she was towed out of Stanley and sunk with gunfire and depth charges by the Royal Navy frigate HMS BIGBURY BAY.
When she was launched in Norway on 10th June 1911 as a whaler with the name PORT STANLEY, someone must have had an inkling she would end up in the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands. After more than 20 years catching whales as the PORT STANLEY, she was renamed ROYDUR and fitted with 14 new plates, before spending three idle years docked at Grytviken in South Georgia. In 1936 she was bought by the Falkland Islands Company and used for coastal work. On 12th April 1937, ROYDUR towed the SS GREAT BRITAIN from Stanley Harbour to Sparrow Cove in Port William, where the famous ship would spend the next 33 years. During WW2 ROYDUR was one of 67 motorised whaling ships taken over by the Admiralty in London, becoming, in September 1939, HMS ROYDUR, making regular night-time patrols around the mouth of Port William. She was returned to the FIC in November 1944. On 17th March 1950 she was towed out of Stanley and sunk with gunfire and depth charges by the Royal Navy frigate HMS BIGBURY BAY.
