Voyage Record Card 1975 Arrived River Blackwater 16 July 1975 from River Tyne. No reference to sailing date.

Mid Essex WSS - Lloyds List: arrived 16 Jul 1975 sailed 17 Aug 1975, arrived 10 Sep 1979 sailed 17 Oct 1975 [sic]

Mr D.W. Carsey was Chief Officer on WILD AUK at the time of her visit and sailed on the ship for 6 months. He says "We departed the River Tyne on 15 July 1975 after discharging a part cargo of oranges from South Africa, arriving at River Blackwater on 16th July.
"Our departure date was 17 August 1975, arriving at Rotterdam on 18th August 1975 for drydocking, leaving there on 1st September 1975 for Puerto Bolivar to load a full cargo of Bananas for New Zealand.

Above:  WILD AUK in the River Blackwater Date: cJuly 1975.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ashley Upsher Collection

Above:  Besom Creek at the western end of Mersea Island with the River Blackwater beyond. The vessel laid up in the river is thought to be WILD AUK, 9,601 tons gross, built 1971. She was sold and renamed OLYMPIAN REEFER in 1980, broken up at Mumbai in 1999. Date: cAugust 1975.
Source: Mersea Museum / Rose and Len Harvey Collection