There was no explosion. She was wrecked. The following is from the CD Book "From Clans to Kings and Castles - The Cayzer, Irvine Group".
CLAN KEITH (2nd of name in fleet)
O.N. 167858. 7,174g. 4,272n. 425.1 x 57.0 x 34.8 feet.
T.3-cyl. (24½", 37" & 70" x 48") engine made by the General Machinery Corporation, Hamilton, Ohio. 2,500 IHP.
14.5.1942: Launched as OCEAN VERITY by the Permanente Metals Corporation, Shipyard No. 1., Richmond, California (Yard No. 24) for the United States War Shipping Administration.
6.1942: Completed for lease to The Ministry of War Transport, (A. Holt & Company, Liverpool, appointed as managers thence their subsidiary - Glen Line Ltd., London).
1946: Chartered by The Clan Line Steamers Ltd., (Cayzer, Irvine & Company Ltd., managers).
1948: Purchased by The Clan Line Steamers Ltd., (same managers), and renamed CLAN KEITH.
5.11.1961: Whilst on a voyage from Middlesbrough to Colombo, via Malta, with general cargo, struck the Ecueils des Sorelles Rocks, near Cape Bon, 11 miles south from Galita Island, Tunisia, during a gale. The vessel, which grounded in heavy seas and poor visibility, broke in two. The afterpart sank the same day and the forepart the next. There were only six survivors from her crew, of 68, five of these being picked up by DURHAM TRADER (6,214g./59). When her Captain was rescued he stated that when the vessel was in a position 37.15 N., 95.0 E., there had been a huge explosion that had broken the vessel in two.
However, during the inquiry into the incident he was on 26.5.1963 found to be at fault for allowing his vessel to be lost on the rocks.
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