Hi Rob,

Thanks for the further information. She was certainly a stout ship

brdgs
Derek

A beauty Derek !
Additionally to the info by Dedge: Originally ordered by Mij. Nederland for the Dutch East Indies service. Still under construction when the Germans invaded Holland. She was launched on Oct. 30th. 1940, and seized by the Kriegsmarine on Aug. 12th. 1941. Construction was severely delayed due to material shortage, constant new demands for changes by the Germans, and lacklustre labour. Eventually used by the 27th. U boat flotilla as a submarine mothership from Nov. 4th., 1943 onwards. Heavily damaged in Hamburg by bombing. Towed back to Amsterdam in Dec. 1945, repaired and put into service on Nov. 22nd. 1946. The heavy damage she sustained after the Channel collission also failed to finish her, because she lasted till early 1974.

Brgds,
Rob.

Hi Gerolf,

Glad you saw her, and hope this photo is good enough for you as a memory

best regards
Derek

Hi Derek, I remember her well, when she was towed damaged to Hamburg. I was lucky to see her, but at that day I am not sure if I took her. Anyway she was a great ship.
Gerolf

Thought the name was familiar, yes I remember the reports now
I was 17 at the time!
Thanks for the info Paul

rgds
Derek

On 11 January 1971, the Panamanian tanker TEXACO CARIBBEAN was struck by the Peruvian freighter PARACAS in thick fog.
The PARACAS ignored the shipping lanes of Dover Straits and took the shorter way along the English Coast.
TEXACO CARIBBEAN exploded, split in two and sank.
PARACAS was sailing from Peru to Hamburg with a cargo of fishmeal and fishoil.
She was seriously damaged in the incident.
The salvage tug HEROS towed her to Hamburg where they arrived 14 January 1971.

Thanks Dave and Bjorn,
I will update her info.

best regards
Derek

Mystery ship: CELEBES - LR/IMO: 5066853
Builder:Nederlandsche SB,Amsterdam. 1943
1966 PARACAS - BU Kaohsiung 7.2.74 [Shyeh Sheng Huat Steel & Iron Works]
Link:http://www.photoship.co.uk/jalbum%20ships/Old%20Ships%20C/slides/Celebes-01.html

Hi Derek,
I think this is the Paracas of Naviera Fluvial S.A., Lima, Peru. She was launched by Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, Amsterdam, on 12 August 1940 for Nederland Line but captured by the invading German forces and completed as a supply ship for the Kreigsmarine in November 1943. She was found at Hamburg heavily damaged in June 1945,refitted, and finally entered Nederland Line service in 1946. In 1966 she was sold and renamed Paracas.
Regards,
Dave Edge.