SS Caloosahatchee - engine room

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 23 Feb 2004

This was part of the infamous US 'Ghost Fleet' that came to Hartlepool for scrapping amidst much environmentalist controversy. This was a US Fleet oiler commissioned in October 1945 and decommissioned in 1990. She was towed to the UK in 2003 for scrapping by Able UK. This shows one of the two cross compound steam turbines with reduction gear boxes. The vessel was 644' long and good for 18 knots. This was a good example of if you don't ask you don't get. I got a party of about six steam enthusiasts on board by virtue of asking nicely at a time when there was adverse publicity and no would have been the easy answer. Instead we got hoisted on board by cherry picker and had a couple of hours with our own guide to ensure we came to no harm. One of our party was a retired marine engineer and he felt this retired vessel seemed to be in better condition than some he had seen in service. Sadly, opportunities like this have largely disappeared.

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