Maritime History > Harbours and Dockyards

Blockships and Boom Defences in Dover Harbour

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Smiffy:
Was Spanish Prince finally removed or is she still there?

Nemo:
Spanish Prince images from WW1 and 2010.

alkhamhills:
SS RFA War Sepoy

alkhamhills:
SS Minnie Larrinaga

alkhamhills:

 During WW11, It was considered that Dover Harbour was in danger from German Submarines, using Harbour Entrance for firing torpedoes at shipping therein. It was decided to block the Harbour Western Entrance, using  two ships, the SS War Sepoy and Minnie Larrinaga  Disposal of the ships commenced 2.5.1950. They were taken to Dover Industries Scrapyard and broken up. The Western Entrance was finally cleared by July 1962 and re-opened 26.4.1964
  There were already two ships at the Western entrance, scuttled in pre WW1. The SS Spanish Prince and SS Livonian

SS(later RFA) WAR SEPOY, Tanker,
built by Wm.Gray,launched 5/12/1918,completed 6/2/1919 for Shipping Controller, managed by Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Co, London; 1921 transferred to Admiralty; 1936 Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
'War Sepoy' was damaged and burnt out during an air attack at Dover,19/7/1940.She was filled with concrete, towed into position within the western entrance and sunk as a blockship,7/9/1940.
 
SS Minnie Larrinaga, Tramp Steamer,(5049grt) built by Russell & Co, Glasgow , launched 30.6.1914. Owned by Miguel de Larrinaga Steamship Co. Whilst discharging Wheat at Surrey Commercial Docks, severely damaged and burnt out during an Air Raid 7.9.1940. Britain Hewitt was appointed to command HM Special Service Vessel MINNIE DE LARRINAGA. Loaded with ballast and topped with concrete, to stop the ballast moving, and dynamite she left Gravesend with two tugs forward and two tugs aft at 0945 hours, 1st February 1941. After the most harrowing 71 miles voyage imaginable Hewitt arrived in Dover at 0430 hours 5th February 1941, where the ship was taken over by the King's Harbour Master and placed in position ready for the Demolition Party to sink her at 0900 as a block ship in the harbour's western entrance by the side of  War Sepoy
 
SS Spanish Prince. Purchased by the Admiralty and scuttled in 1917 in the Western Entrance. 4 large gantries were welded to her decks and netting strung between them. The gantries have long since gone. The vessel was left in place, as it did not pose any difficulty to shipping. However with larger ships. It is now(August 2010) being finally raised

  SS Livonian. Built in 1881(4162 grt) and originally named Ludgate Hill until 1897. Belonging to the Allan Line, then Donaldson Line and purchased by the Admiralty in 1914, and sunk as a blockship, also in the Western Entrance. She was raised in 1932. Probably broken up by Dover Industries Ltd

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