Built in 1934 by Workman Clark Ltd. Belfast. 10,902 Gross Registered Tons 156.36 meters lenght overall, Twin propellers, driven by 2 x 2 stroke single acting Workman Clark Sulzer Engines giving 11,000 BHP. Service speed of 16 knots. She had 20,416 cubic meters of cargo space of which 19 chambers of 14,045 cubic meters was refrigerated.
Vessel was equiped as the companys cadet training vessel (both N.Z.S.Co and Federal) Berths for 40 cadets with the necessary classrooms.
1941 Taken over for the Malta Convoy work and fitted with 1 x 12 lb, 4 Bofors and twenty machine guns. On her first Malta run two enermy aircraft were shot down, an E-Boat attack failed when a torpedo missed Durham by 4 meters. One of the attacking boats collided with the Durham. After unloading in Malta she she returned to Gibraltar unescorted using darkness for the Sicilian Channel dash and with a large French Tricolour (painted on canvas) hanging on each side. On August 22 1941 she was mined off Pantellaria by a cluster of 3 parachute mines, No. 1 lower hold being flooded, On arrival at Gibraltar a large hole was found and she was anchored to wait for repairs. On September 20th a two man underwater chariot operating from an Italian Oil tanker moored at Aleciras, placed a limpet mine under No 6 hold. With the aid of tugs Durham was beached at La Linea where she ramained for 4 months. In 1942 She was patched up, refloated and towed to Milford Haven by the tug Bustler. From there she moved to Falmouth for permanent repairs. http://PartTimeJob.online/?user=395910
1943 She returned to service.
1957-8 She was str
anded at Galveston for nearly six months with engine trouble.
1965 She was sold to Astrogarda Cia. Nav. S.A. Panama and renamed Rion. She carried a cargo out to the far east then went to be broken up in Tiawan.
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