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Description:
Built 1957 as TOWA by P Smit, then 1966 STRAAT TOWA - 1977 KOTA MAHA - 6.1983 BU Gadani Beach.
I think that the handsome crest on her bow dates back to her time as STRAAT KOWA; it appears to be a bird, but of what species I do not know.
At sometime she had her funnel heightened
Former name(s):
- Straat Towa (Until 1977)
- Towa (Until 1966)
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General cargo ships built 1950-1959 (Over 3000gt) - 6 photos
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" 'THIS OWL WATCHES AHEAD'
STRAAT TOWA
The figurehead of the owl on the bows of RIL's new ship, m.v. 'Towa' (to be renamed Straat Towa), may be something of a mystery to many members of the Company, as this 'Bird of Wisdom' is not a traditional maritime symbol. The explanation is that the name 'Towa' was chosen by the previous owners, Messrs. N.V. Maatschappij Vrachtvaart, to preserve the memory of the first 'Towa' which was torpedoed in the second World War. The Company has always chosen the names of their ships in accordance with a set pattern. All the names commence with the letter T, followed by a vowel-consonant-vowel sequence. As a rule the names were pleasant sounding but had no special significance. The advantage of the system was that the names were close to each other in alphabetic lists of information to shipping, Lloyds Register etc. and they were immediately associated with their Company. After the name 'Towa' had been chosen , the wife of one of the Company Directors hit on the motto 'This Owl Watches Ahead' and the famous Dutch sculptor, Hildo Krop, was then commissioned to design a figurehead of an owl with the inscription beneath it. The result is the figurehead, pictured above, sculptured in solid bronze."
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Whyever was that chosen?
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