Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      AURIS
Arrived:12 Jun 1960
Departed:2 August 1962
Career:Gas turbine-powered Shell tanker. Broken up Blyth 5 Aug 1962.
Oyster Company ledger 13 August 1960 compensation 4 weeks
2 August 1962 compensation 1 week 5 days.
From Voyage Record Card: AURIS Arrived 12 June 1960 from River Tyne. Sailed 2 August 1962 for Blyth ( under tow tug SERVICEMAN )
Departure details from George Swiesckowsk.
Tonnage:8,221 gross
Built:1948
Type:Tanker
Owner:Shell Tankers
Official No:181847
ID1181847

The experimental gas turbine powered Shell tanker AURIS laid up, believed to be in the River Blackwater.

AURIS was in the river 12 June 1960 to August 1962, when she was sold for scrapping in Blyth. Date: c1961.

Above:  The experimental gas turbine powered Shell tanker AURIS laid up, believed to be in the River Blackwater. AURIS was in the river 12 June 1960 to August 1962, when she was sold for scrapping in Blyth. Date: c1961.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

Gas turbine powered Shell tanker AURIS at sea - date unknown.

Notes from the back of the photograph:

AURIS Shell Tankers 8,221/1948 12 kts appearance in 1960.

Built in 1948 by Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn with 4 Hawthorn - Sulzer 8 cylinder diesel engines 1,100 BHP each, supplying AC current to a single motor of 3,750 SHP. In 1951 one of these diesels was replaced by a Gas Turbine of 1,200 BHP. It was announced in1955 that this arrangement was to be replaced by a single 5,300 BHP gas ... Date: c1960.

Above:  Gas turbine powered Shell tanker AURIS at sea - date unknown. Notes from the back of the photograph: AURIS Shell Tankers 8,221/1948 12 kts appearance in 1960. Built in 1948 by Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn with 4 Hawthorn - Sulzer 8 cylinder diesel engines 1,100 BHP each, supplying AC current to a single motor of 3,750 SHP. In 1951 one of these diesels was replaced by a Gas Turbine of 1,200 BHP. It was announced in1955 that this arrangement was to be replaced by a single 5,300 BHP gas ... Date: c1960.
Source: Mersea Museum / Tony Millatt


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