SOUTHERN EMPRESS

1925 Built as whale catcher SOUTHERN SPRAY by the Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd., South Bank Middlesbrough, England on behalf of the Unilever’s Southern Whaling & Sealing Co Ltd. (N. C. Watt), Dunedin, UK. Launched on 21/05-1925. Delivery took place in July. Registered with Norgeth Shield as homeport. The hull of SOUTHERN SPRAY and SOUTHERN WAVE had an epoch-making new hull design. They were the first who had cruiser stern and freely hanging rudder. They made 14 knots on the sea trail. One considered that a catcher with cruiser stern made a knot better speed than one without. On the season 1925/26, a new constructed and the first breech loaded Bofors cannon tested out. Gunner and whaling Manager Lars Andersen was the gunner on board during the season. At the same season, another cannon of the same type, a Kongsberg make, was on trial on the catcher CHR. NIELSEN. This was the first time evar, that a breech loaded cannon was in use in the Southern Seas. Additionally, the SOUTHERN SPRAY was equipped with an oil fired main boiler. The boiler converted from coal firing to oil firing during the outfitting period, as one of the first ever. Starting whaling from the season of 1925/26. 1936 Registered at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. 1940 In March requisitioned by the Royal Navy (RN) for WWII duty. 1941 In September purchased by Salvesen whilst under military command. 1945 Returned to owners in March. Registered in Leith. Whaling in the Antarctic. 1961 Scuttled on purpose 22/02-1961 off Leith Harbour, South Georgia.