OFFICIAL REPORT ON DAMAGE (HULL)TO BE REPAIR IN ORDER TO MAKE VOYAGE TO UK FOR REFIT

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9.      Approximate damage to the hull.

Full account of the damage was reported in Base Constructor Officer’s letter H.2398 of 7th May 1942, to Admiral Superintendent, Alexandria, main damage was briefly:

(a)                Ship’s side plating, framing, stringers, connecting brackets and angles were blown in and destroyed between 55 and 69 stations port and from Main deck to Tank tops in Nos. 4 and 5 Lower Tween decks and holds.

(b)               Main deck (armoured 80lbs.) and lower deck plating ruptured and distorted.

(c)                After bulkhead of Engine Room ruptured between lower deck and tank top port side.

(d)   Bulkhead between 4 and 5 holds destroyed port side.

 10.  Wood Patch (19th December 1941 to 16th Jan 1942.)

Reports from divers differed as to extent of damage. Decided at first to fit a wooden patch. 27 baulks of timber each 35’ x 42” x 6” were obtained. These were secured together by 1¾” boltstave (machined and threaded by ship’s staff) in sections of three each seam caulked with oakum and payed with tallow.

The fore hatch under forward heavy derrick was used for making the patch, the intention being to hoist it out as complete as possible and float it aft weighted as necessary. In the meantime divers burned off ragged plating from the ship’s side. Patch would have been ready by 16th January, Doubt arose however as to its strength and suitability, and on arrival of Mr. Taylor, one of Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association’s divers, who had been flown out from the United Kingdom, he himself inspected and reported on the extent of the damage.

As a result of Mr. Taylor’s report, it was decided that a larger patch of steel would be necessary.

 11.              Steel Patch. (16th January, to 15th March 1942)

A steel patch measuring 40’ by 28’, prefabricated ashore of 20lbs. And 15 lbs. Plate in two halves and reinforced outside by bulb angle bars fitted horizontally, was fitted by divers to the ship’s side by means of tap bolts

This is the first occasion where a steel patch of large dimensions has ever been fitted under water by divers with the vessel lying afloat.

Each half patch was bought to the ship by floating sheer legs transferred to a pair of davits above the hole and lowering into position being bowsed in close by bottom lines, etc. Bolt holes had been drilled into the patch whilst ashore, four divers working together used two pneumatic drills to drill and tap corresponding holes in the ships side. Plates were secured by ¨þ” tap bolts 570, in No., and nuts. One underwater bolt gun was available towards the end of work, and was used for some of the near waterline work.

Difficulty was experienced in getting the lower edge of the bottom half of patch close in over the curve of the hull near bilge keel. Tank margin bar had also been blown away for length of 25ft., and require watertighting by means of a cement box built underwater by the divers. Working continuously through daylight hours, the bolting of the patch was completed on approximately 15th March. Several smaller holes outside the main patch due to destruction of underwater valves etc., had also to be patched.

 12.  Pumping out holds and shoring up of patch15th March to 27th March 1942

Due to the destruction of framing etc. in the vicinity of the damage the patch was entirely unsupported from the inside, Very strong and adequate shoring had to befitted as the water was pumped out.

Conditions generally were difficult due to presence of wreckage from mess decks and store rooms, oil fuel and lack of lifting facilities etc. Timber 8” x 6” upto 26 ft. long was used. Native labour was employed clearing holds and tween decks of stores and provisions as the water receded , though the majority of this work had to be left till later. All shoring work was done by a party of 8 to 12 salvage divers and assistants under Mr. Taylor assisted by ship’s staff

Working long and continuous shifts, the ship was finally pumped out by approximately the 27th March. Further work of strengthening the patch and repairing engine room bulkhead etc. was taken over the Alexandria Engineering Co., with salvage party assisting to burn off inside ragged plating interfering with the work, and to assist with the welding. After the ship was pumped the top edge of the patch was about one foot above the waterline.

 

13.       Strengthening of patch etc. (27th March to 7th June 1942)

            Alexandria Engineering Company carried out the following:

(a)    Stiffening of patch internally by frames and stringers.

(b)   Fitting large cement box behind patch to deal with leakage.

(c)    Making engine room bulkhead reasonably watertight by patching and cement boxes as necessary.

Note. Approximately 140 tons of concrete was used.

 

                        14.       On completion of the above work the hull was deemed seaworthy for an ocean passage to a repair port. In October ship was docked for a few days when opportunity was taken to strengthen joints of patch to ship side by covering plates and improve junction of bottom edge of patch to ship’s bottom.