Photo’s from the past: Gravesend waterfront 1969

Gravesend waterfront 7/4/1969

Bank Line’s OLIVEBANK on the swing buoy, waiting for a berth, and SUN XXVII passing:

Source: Bob Scott through Gravesend & Tilbury – “Gateway to the Port of London”  Facebook page

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Houlder Brothers UK/Europe – West Coast of South America service liner ROYSTON GRANGE passing Gravesend inward bound for the Royal Victoria Dock, to discharge a cargo of South American meat and dairy produce.

She was built by Hawthorn Leslie, Tyne in 1959 but terrible tragedy became her in May 1971 when she was in collision with an oil tanker 35 nm south west of Montevideo at the start of a return voyage to the UK, fully laden with dairy & meat produce.

I saw her several times on the Thames and berthed within the Royal Victoria Docks. She had a vessel ship, Hardwicke Grange, both very handsome ships.

Photograph by Bob Scott, early 1960’s.

Here is a web-link to a description about the tragic event in May 1971:

http://www.pilotmag.co.uk/…/09/the-royston-grange-trgedy/