Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Bank Line's ROWANBANK suffers heavy weather damage and puts into Fremantle

   The Andrew Weir Bank Line cargo ship ROWANBANK, on passage from Geelong (Australia) to Japan with a cargo of bulk wheat, put into Fremantle (Western Australia) with heavy weather damage.

   The damage was principally three damaged air pipes possibly allowing sea water to enter deep tanks.   Flooding of chain locker and forepeak stores through broken cement chocks at spurling pipes.   Evidence of water from flooded peak stores leaked through collision bulkhead at cropped degaussing pipe in bulkhead on to No 1 ‘tween deck and from there down through bulk wheat cargo to deep tanks, also containing wheat.

   In addition six bulwark stanchions cracked at welding on weather deck, port side, besides numerous small damaged deck fittings, also damaged wires, ropes and paints in flooded peak stores.

   Permanent repairs being done to parts affecting seaworthiness concurrently with damaged deck fittings without delaying vessel.

   Unnecessary to discharge cargo to effect repairs.