POTOSI (4) was built in 1955
by Greenock Dockyard Co. at Greenock with a tonnage of 8494grt,
a length of 512ft 7in, a beam of 66ft 4in and a service speed
of 16 knots. She was launched on 23rd February 1955 for the
South American cargo services. In 1972 she was sold to Granvias
Oceanicos Armadora S.A. of Piraeus and renamed Kavo Pieratis.
For years later, in October 1976, she was sold to W. H. Arnott
Young & Co and broken up at Dalmuir.
PIZARRO
(2) was built in 1955 by Greenock Dockyard Co. at Greenock
with a tonnage of 8564grt, a length of 512ft 7in, a beam of
66ft 4in and a service speed of 16 knots. Sister of the Kenuta
she entered service on the round South America cargo service
on 14th October 1955. She was sold to Navieros Progresivos
S.A. of Piraeus and renamed Kavo Maleas. In November 1974
she was broken up by Chin Ho Fa Steel and Iron Works at Kaohsiung.
(Photo: Jim Pottinger)
COTOPAXI (2) was built in 1954
by Wm Denny & Co. at Dumbarton with a tonnage of 8559grt,
a length of 512ft 6in, a beam of 66ft 4in and a service speed
of 16 knots. Completed in April 1954 she was sold in 1973
to Transportes Mundiales Armadora S. A. of Piraeus and renamed
Kavo Longos. Two years later, in November 1975, she was broken
up in China.
CUZCO (2) was built in 1951
by Blyth Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co. at Blyth with a
tonnage of 8038grt, a length of 501ft, a beam of 64ft 2in
and a service speed of 15.5 knots. She was laid down as the
Thurland Castle for James Chambers & Co. of Liverpool
but acquired by PSNC who renamed her Cuzco. After fourteen
years service she was sold to Wm. Thomson's Benlarig Shipping
Co., with Ben Line as managers and renamed Benattow. On 25th
September 1977 she arrived at Kaohsiung where she was broken
up by Sing Ching Yung Steel Co.
ELEUTHERA
was built in 1959 by Hall Russell & Co. at Aberdeen with
a tonnage of 5407grt, a length of 386ft 2in, a beam of 54ft
3in and a service speed of 13.5 knots. She entered service
in May 1959 and continued with the company until 1970 when
she was laid up in the River Fal and put up for sale. In the
following year she was sold to Seahunter Shipping Co. of Famagusta
and renamed Mimi-M. Three years later she was sold to Valient
Bay Shipping Co. of Piraeus and renamed Maria. After a further
ten years service she arrived at Gadani Beach in Pakistan
on 1st November 1984 where she was broken up.
SOMERS
ISLE was built in 1959 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with
a tonnage of 5684grt, a length of 396ft, a beam of 54ft 3in
and a service speed of 13.5 knots. Sister of the Eleuthera
she entered service on the Bermuda - Caribbean ports - Panama
run. In 1970 she was laid up in the River Fal and put up for
sale. Sold to Sealord Shipping Co.of Famagusta in 1971 she
was renamed Eldina. Four years later she was sold to Commencement
Compania Naviera S. A. of Famagusta and renamed Commencement.
In 1982 her owners renamed her Caribbean and a year later
she became the Melpol under the ownership of Commencement
Maritime Enterprises of Jersey. In December 1983, during a
voyage from Lisbon to Bremen, she was damaged by fire in the
English Channel with the loss of one life. In the following
year she was laid up and eventually scrapped. (Photo: Jim
Pottinger)
CIENFUEGOS/CHANDELEUR was built
in 1959 by Hall Russell & Co. at Aberdeen with a tonnage
of 5554grt, a length of 386ft 2in, a beam of 54ft 3in and
a service speed of 13.5 knots. Sister of the Eleuthera she
entered service as the Cienfuegos in 1959. In 1968 she was
renamed Chandeleur and chartered to Royal Mail Line. She was
taken out of service in 1970, laid up in the River Fal and
put up for sale. In 1971 she was sold to Seacomber Shipping
Co. of Famagusta and renamed Emma-M. Three years later she
was sold to Green Bay Shipping Co. of Piraeus who renamed
her Lela. In 1981 she was sold to the West Asia Shipping Co.
of Singapore and renamed Jetpur Viceroy. On 2nd November 1982
she made her final voyage to Chittagong and on 25th April
1983 she was decommissioned and broken up.
OROYA
(4) was built in 1956 by Bremer Vulcan at Vegesack with a
tonnage of 6311grt, a length of 475ft, a beam of 44ft 4in
and a service speed of 17 knots. Built as the Arabic for Shaw,
Savill & Albion she was transferred to PSNC in 1968. In
1970 she was managed by Furness Withy as the Pacific Ranger
but in the following year reverted to PSNC as the Oroya. She
was sold to the Hong Kong Ocean Shipping Co. of Panama in
1972 who renamed her Lamma Island. After a further eleven
years service she arrived at Inchon in Korea on 28th May 1983
where she was broken up by Inchon Iron & Steel Co.
ORITA (3) was built in 1957
by Bremer Vulcan at Vegesack with a tonnage of 6311grt, a
length of 475ft, a beam of 44ft 4in and a service speed of
17 knots. Sister of the Oroya she was built as the Afric for
Shaw Savill & Albion of London. She was transferred to
PSNC in 1968 and renamed Orita. In 1972 she was sold to Hong
Kong Islands Shipping Co. of Panama and renamed Hong Kong
Island. On 1st May 1983 she arrived at Inchon Iron & Steel
Co. at Inchon in Korea where she was being broken up.
OROPESA (3) was built in 1957
by Bremer Vulcan at Hamburg with a tonnage of 6553grt, a length
of 475ft, a beam of 44ft 4in and a service speed of 17 knots.
Sister of the Oroya she was completed for Shaw Savill &
Albion as the Aramaic and transferred to PSNC in 1968 who
renamed her Oropesa. In 1970 she was briefly renamed Pacific
Exporter for operation by Furness Withy before reverting to
her former name. She was sold to Hong Kong Atlantic Shipping
Co. of Panama in 1972 and renamed Lantao Island. After a further
ten years trading she arrived at Kaohsiung on 29th September
1982 where she was broken up.
WILLIAM
WHEELWRIGHT was built in 1960 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast
with a tonnage of 31320grt, a length of 753ft 6in, a beam
of 98ft 5in and a service speed of 16 knots. An oil tanker
her registered owner was Pacific Maritime Services Ltd and
she was chartered on a long term contract to Shell. On 26th
December 1975 she ran aground off Sinoe, south of Monrovia
in Liberia whilst in ballast. She was refloated three days
later and towed to Lisbon where examination revealed that
she was beyond repair. Returning to PSNC ownership she was
towed to Santander in October 1976 where she was broken up
by Recuperaciones Submarines S.A.
COLOSO was built in 1961 by
A Hall & Co. at Aberdeen with a tonnage of 293grt, a length
of 101ft, a beam of 26ft 1in and a service speed of 11 knots.
She was a tug based at Antofagasta flying the Chilean flag
and with ownership registered as Servicios Maritimos S.A.
of Antofagasta. In she was sold to Ultramar Agencia Maritima
of Valparaiso in 1976 and renamed Ultramar IV. She now appears
to be out of service.
GEORGE
PEACOCK was built in 1961 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast
with a tonnage of 19153grt, a length of 643ft39in, a beam
of 80ft 11in and a service speed of 15.75 knots. She was an
oil tanker registered as being owned by Pacific Maritime Services
Ltd. In 1969 she was sold to V. J. Vardinoyannis of Piraeus
and renamed Georgis V. Twelve years later, in 1981,she was
sold to Varnicos (Varnima Corp) of Piraeus who retained her
name. In 1985 she appeared to be laid up but it now seems
that she is out of service. (Photo: Dave Edge)
ORCOMA
(2) was built in 1966 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with
a tonnage of 10300grt, a length of 508ft 9in, a beam of 70ft
2in and a service speed of 18 knots. She was built for the
Furness Withy subsidiary company Nile Steamship Co. and chartered
to PSNC for 20 years. In 1970 she was used as a British Exhibition
ship reverting to her normal South American services in the
following year. She was sold to P. T. Samudera of Indonesi
in October 1979 and renamed Ek Daya Samudera. On 31st March
1984 she arrived at Kaohsiung where she was broken up by Tai
Yuan Steel & Iron Co.
ORBITA (2) was built in 1972
by Cammell Laird & Co. at Birkenhead with a tonnage of
12321grt, a length of 529ft 8in, a beam of 73ft 4in and a
service speed of 18 knots. She was built for PSNC who, by
1972 ,was part of the Royal Mail Division of Furness Withy
and operated out of Liverpool. In April 1980 she was sold
to Cia. Sud Americana de Vapores of Valparaiso and renamed
Andalien. Later in the same year she was sold to Wallem &
Co. of Hong Kong and renamed Morning Sun but before the year
was out she had returned to Sud Americana with the name Rubens.
Although still trading in 1990 she appears to have been broken
up in subsequent years.
ORDUNA
(2) was built in 1973 by Cammell Laird & Co. at Birkenhead
with a tonnage of 12321grt, a length of 529ft 8in, a beam
of 73ft 4in and a service speed of 18 knots. Sister of the
Orbita she was completed for the South American services and
in 1980 she registered as owned by Royal Mail Line with PSNC
as managers. On 30th September 1982 she was transferred to
Furness Withy Shipping who changed her name to Beacon Grange.
In 1984 she was sold to Cenargo Ltd. and renamed Merchant
Pioneer. As Cenargo Ltd where the building contractors for
the airport on the Falkland Islands she was used to carry
materials from the UK to Port Stanley. Although still trading
in 1990 she appears to have been broken up in subsequent years.
ORTEGA (2)/ANDES (2) was built
in 1973 by Cammell Laird & Co. at Birkenhead with a tonnage
of 12321grt, a length of 529ft 8in, a beam of 73ft 4in and
a service speed of 18 knots. Sister of the Orbita she was
completed as to Ortega in July 1973. In April 1980 she was
renamed Andes when ownership was transferred to Royal Mail
Line but she continued to operate for PSNC. She was sold to
Blue Haven Co. Ltd of Hong Kong in August 1982 and renamed
Oceanhaven. Five years later, in 1987, she was renamed Kota
Akbar by her new owner Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd.
Current shipping directories indicate that she appears to
have been broken up in subsequent years.
OROYA
(5) was built in 1978 by Lithgows Ltd at Port Glasgow with
a tonnage of 9015grt, a length of 535ft 3in, a beam of 75ft
4in and a service speed of 16.25 knots. Registered as owned
by Ardgowan Shipping Co. of London with Furness Withy Shipping
as managers she entered service with PSNC in April 1978. In
1985 she was transferred to Shaw, Savill & Albion without
a change of name and in 1986 was sold to Nigerian Green Lines
of Lagos and renamed Yinka Folawiyo. She was purchased by
Cenargo Ltd in 1989 and renamed Merchant Premier and managed
by V Ships (UK) Ltd. At the present time it appears that she
is owned by John McRink & Co. Ltd of Hong Kong with the
name Lady Aryette.
OROPESA (4) was built in 1978
by Lithgows Ltd at Port Glasgow with a tonnage of 9015grt,
a length of 535ft 3in, a beam of 75ft 4in and a service speed
of 16.25 knots. Sister of the Oroya she was registered as
being owned by Blackhall Shipping Co. and entered service
for PSNC in April 1978. In 1982 she was operated by Shaw,
Saville & Albion out of Liverpool. On 25th May 1984 she
was sold with the Orduna to Cenargo Ltd for deployment on
their Falkland Island service. At the present time it appears
that she is owned by John McRink & Co. Ltd of Hong Kong
with the name Lady Danielle.
ANDES (3) was built in 1984
by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. at Ulsan, South Korea with
a tonnage of 32150grt, a length of 662ft 10in, a beam of 105ft
7in and a service speed of 18.5 knots. She was launched on
16th November 1983 for Furness Withy but for operation by
PSNC as one of seven ships on the Eurosal (Europe South America
Line). The seven container ships, the Andes was Furness Withy's
member ship, replaced 28 conventional cargo ships and were
equipped with a self unloading gantry for use at ports without
container facilities. Still in service in 1990 with Furness
Withy she has subsequently been either sold on on several
occasions or broken up.
ALBEMARLE was built in 1950
by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co. at Port Burntisland with a
tonnage of 3364grt, a length of 364ft 9in, a beam of 51ft
2in and a service speed of 14 knots. She was built as the
Afric for Prince Line but for charter to Shaw Savill &
Albion another Furness Withy subsidiary company. In 1955 she
was chartered to PSNC and renamed Albemarle for deployment
on an experimental service between Bermuda - Caribbean ports
- Panama. The routing proved to be successful and three further
ships, the Cienfuegos, the Eleuthera and the Somer's Isle
were ordered. In 1957 she was transferred back to Prince Line
and renamed Scottish Prince. After eleven years service with
Prince Line she was sold to Klimnos Shipping Co. of Cyprus
and renamed Grigorios. In 1972 she was acquired by Milos Steam
Ship Co. of Cyprus who renamed her Milos. The same owner renamed
her Nestor II in 1975 and on 23rd December 1977 she arrived
at Gadani Beach, Karachi where she was broken up.
WALSINGHAM was built in 1950
by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co. at Port Burntisland with a
tonnage of 3343grt, a length of 363ft, a beam of 51ft 2in
and a service speed of 14 knots. Sister of the Albemarle she
was built as the Sycamore for Furness Withy's Johnston Warren
Lines. In 1950 she was chartered to PSNC for operation on
the same route as the Albemarle and renamed Walsingham. She
reverted back to Johnston Warren and Sycamore in 1957 and
in 1966 was transferred to Prince Line and renamed Merchant
Prince. Two years later she was sold to Kaldelion Shipping
Co. of Limassol and renamed Elias L. She was sold to Melteco
Navigation Ltd of Limassol in 1975 and renamed Meltemi, a
name which was shortened to Temi when she was sold on to Green
Spirit Inc. of Limassol in 1978. On 10th May 1979 she arrived
at Gadani Beach, Karachi where she was broken up.
PIZARRO
(2) was built in 1955 by Greenock Dockyard Co. at Greenock
with a tonnage of 8564grt, a length of 512ft 7in, a beam of
66ft 4in and a service speed of 16 knots. Sister of the Kenuta
she entered service on the round South America cargo service
on 14th October 1955. She was sold to Navieros Progresivos
S.A. of Piraeus and renamed Kavo Maleas. In November 1974
she was broken up by Chin Ho Fa Steel and Iron Works at Kaohsiung.
(Photo: Jim Pottinger) 
ELEUTHERA
was built in 1959 by Hall Russell & Co. at Aberdeen with
a tonnage of 5407grt, a length of 386ft 2in, a beam of 54ft
3in and a service speed of 13.5 knots. She entered service
in May 1959 and continued with the company until 1970 when
she was laid up in the River Fal and put up for sale. In the
following year she was sold to Seahunter Shipping Co. of Famagusta
and renamed Mimi-M. Three years later she was sold to Valient
Bay Shipping Co. of Piraeus and renamed Maria. After a further
ten years service she arrived at Gadani Beach in Pakistan
on 1st November 1984 where she was broken up. 
SOMERS
ISLE was built in 1959 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with
a tonnage of 5684grt, a length of 396ft, a beam of 54ft 3in
and a service speed of 13.5 knots. Sister of the Eleuthera
she entered service on the Bermuda - Caribbean ports - Panama
run. In 1970 she was laid up in the River Fal and put up for
sale. Sold to Sealord Shipping Co.of Famagusta in 1971 she
was renamed Eldina. Four years later she was sold to Commencement
Compania Naviera S. A. of Famagusta and renamed Commencement.
In 1982 her owners renamed her Caribbean and a year later
she became the Melpol under the ownership of Commencement
Maritime Enterprises of Jersey. In December 1983, during a
voyage from Lisbon to Bremen, she was damaged by fire in the
English Channel with the loss of one life. In the following
year she was laid up and eventually scrapped. (Photo: Jim
Pottinger) 
OROYA
(4) was built in 1956 by Bremer Vulcan at Vegesack with a
tonnage of 6311grt, a length of 475ft, a beam of 44ft 4in
and a service speed of 17 knots. Built as the Arabic for Shaw,
Savill & Albion she was transferred to PSNC in 1968. In
1970 she was managed by Furness Withy as the Pacific Ranger
but in the following year reverted to PSNC as the Oroya. She
was sold to the Hong Kong Ocean Shipping Co. of Panama in
1972 who renamed her Lamma Island. After a further eleven
years service she arrived at Inchon in Korea on 28th May 1983
where she was broken up by Inchon Iron & Steel Co. 
WILLIAM
WHEELWRIGHT was built in 1960 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast
with a tonnage of 31320grt, a length of 753ft 6in, a beam
of 98ft 5in and a service speed of 16 knots. An oil tanker
her registered owner was Pacific Maritime Services Ltd and
she was chartered on a long term contract to Shell. On 26th
December 1975 she ran aground off Sinoe, south of Monrovia
in Liberia whilst in ballast. She was refloated three days
later and towed to Lisbon where examination revealed that
she was beyond repair. Returning to PSNC ownership she was
towed to Santander in October 1976 where she was broken up
by Recuperaciones Submarines S.A. 
GEORGE
PEACOCK was built in 1961 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast
with a tonnage of 19153grt, a length of 643ft39in, a beam
of 80ft 11in and a service speed of 15.75 knots. She was an
oil tanker registered as being owned by Pacific Maritime Services
Ltd. In 1969 she was sold to V. J. Vardinoyannis of Piraeus
and renamed Georgis V. Twelve years later, in 1981,she was
sold to Varnicos (Varnima Corp) of Piraeus who retained her
name. In 1985 she appeared to be laid up but it now seems
that she is out of service. (Photo: Dave Edge) 
ORCOMA
(2) was built in 1966 by Harland & Wolff at Belfast with
a tonnage of 10300grt, a length of 508ft 9in, a beam of 70ft
2in and a service speed of 18 knots. She was built for the
Furness Withy subsidiary company Nile Steamship Co. and chartered
to PSNC for 20 years. In 1970 she was used as a British Exhibition
ship reverting to her normal South American services in the
following year. She was sold to P. T. Samudera of Indonesi
in October 1979 and renamed Ek Daya Samudera. On 31st March
1984 she arrived at Kaohsiung where she was broken up by Tai
Yuan Steel & Iron Co. 
ORDUNA
(2) was built in 1973 by Cammell Laird & Co. at Birkenhead
with a tonnage of 12321grt, a length of 529ft 8in, a beam
of 73ft 4in and a service speed of 18 knots. Sister of the
Orbita she was completed for the South American services and
in 1980 she registered as owned by Royal Mail Line with PSNC
as managers. On 30th September 1982 she was transferred to
Furness Withy Shipping who changed her name to Beacon Grange.
In 1984 she was sold to Cenargo Ltd. and renamed Merchant
Pioneer. As Cenargo Ltd where the building contractors for
the airport on the Falkland Islands she was used to carry
materials from the UK to Port Stanley. Although still trading
in 1990 she appears to have been broken up in subsequent years.
OROYA
(5) was built in 1978 by Lithgows Ltd at Port Glasgow with
a tonnage of 9015grt, a length of 535ft 3in, a beam of 75ft
4in and a service speed of 16.25 knots. Registered as owned
by Ardgowan Shipping Co. of London with Furness Withy Shipping
as managers she entered service with PSNC in April 1978. In
1985 she was transferred to Shaw, Savill & Albion without
a change of name and in 1986 was sold to Nigerian Green Lines
of Lagos and renamed Yinka Folawiyo. She was purchased by
Cenargo Ltd in 1989 and renamed Merchant Premier and managed
by V Ships (UK) Ltd. At the present time it appears that she
is owned by John McRink & Co. Ltd of Hong Kong with the
name Lady Aryette. 
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