The Blue Funnel Line
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Super "P" Boats

Priam; 12,094gt, L 564 feet.

In 1966 the Priam gracefully slipped into the river Tyne, from the Vickers Shipbuilding yard, she was the first of eight "Super P's" to be completed, 4 for The Blue Funnel Line, and the other four, destined for the Glen Line. Two of the Glen Boats the Glenalmond and the Pembrokeshire were built by Mitsubishi, Nagasaki, Japan, the other six were built in the U.K. and five of those at Vickers on the Tyne, the Glenfinlas was built by John Brown, on the Clyde.

Make no mistake about it, these were fine ships. I was fortunate enough to sail on the Priam in 1970, and I can still remember standing on the focsle-head, peering over the side as she sliced through the blue ocean, on her way to the Far East. I remember her as being a happy ship as well, but I couldn't go back on her for another voyage, as I would have to go for my E. D. H. (Efficient Deck Hand) certificate, on my return to the U.K. But I did sail on her around the land for a week, while I was waiting for my slot in the classroom.

 

Super "P" boats Built In the Fleet Tonnage
Priam 1966 Sold in 1979, renamed Oriental Champion. Scrapped after missile attack in Persian Gulf, 1985. 12,094
Peisander 1967 Sold in 1979, renamed Oriental Exporter. Scrapped 1986. 12,094
Prometheus 1967 Sold in 1979, renamed Oriental Merchant. Scrapped 1986. 12,094
Protesilaus 1967 Sold in 1979, renamed Oriental Importer. Scrapped after missile attack in Persian Gulf, 1985. 12,094
Glen Line
Glenalmond 1966 Blue Funnel in 1973 renamed Patroclus. Scrapped as "Sahar" after a fire in 1984. 12,229
Glenfinlas 1967 Blue Funnel in 1972 renamed Phemius. Scrapped as "Saudi Kawther" in 1984. 12,094
Pembrokeshire 1967 Blue Funnel in 1972 renamed Phrontis. Scrapped as "Dolphin VIII" in 1995. 12,299
Radnorshire 1967 Blue Funnel in 1973 renamed Perseus*. Scrapped as "Saudi Zam Zam" in 1984. 12,094

* The Perseus was the last conventional Blue Funnel cargo vessel.

Super "P's" Plans

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Many Thanks to;

Capt Neville Lester and Mr Gwyn Jones for the photographs.

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