The Orkney Image Library
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In connection with picture #27123, here's another try at solving the mystery of the horizontal band, or object, on the side of the superstructure of Stromness man Capt Charlie Smith's last ship, Eastern Prince. The arrowed object appears in some photos of her as a WW2 troopship and not in others. It can't therefore be a permanent fixture, but what CAN it be? Some of you older seafarers out there must have a clue. Any ideas?
(Steven, the reason I consider this a legitimate use of OIL is that the scale model now under construction will almost certainly wind up as a museum exhibit in Orkney, and I'm anxious that it should be as accurate as possible.)
[No bother Ian - Steven]
Picture added on 21 May 2013 at 21:52
Ian, might it be a stowed gangway? Maybe the type that runs lengthwise with the ship and can be lowered to get from the deck down to a launch or quayside? Port side would fit for this.
Added by Karl Cooper on 22 May 2013
Thanks Karl. That was my first thought too, and at least one photo taken in peacetime shows her with just such a gangway partially lowered on the port side of her hull. But as to stowing it up there on the superstructure - there seems to be no means of raising it so high (davits etc). And why would it come and go? However, since it does come and go I can if necessary proceed without it. But it still would be nice to know for certain what it is!
Added by Ian Hourston on 24 May 2013
After commenting on your comments Karl I went back to my old photos of Eastern Prince, and have to admit they're just not clear enough to say whether gangway davits etc are present or not. The ship has matching objects in the same place on both sides, and I'm beginning to think stowed gangways must be the likeliest explanation after all.
Does anyone out there have personal experience of gangways similarly stowed?
Does anyone out there have personal experience of gangways similarly stowed?
Added by Ian Hourston on 24 May 2013
Ian, since posting my reply I found a short film clip and a series of stills on the British Pathe website of the ship at Gdansk and the gangway can be seen below the square windows with a sliding arrangement at the aft end.
Added by Karl Cooper on 29 May 2013
Thank you very much Karl. I'm 99% convinced now that you're right.
Added by Ian Hourston on 30 May 2013
Thanks again for your further help Karl. I am now 99% convinced your diagnosis is correct.
I've submitted another picture showing how you inadvertently cleared up another little mystery.
I've submitted another picture showing how you inadvertently cleared up another little mystery.
Added by Ian Hourston on 30 May 2013
Just to round-off this thread, I should add you were 100% correct Karl - a stowed gangway, and it appears as such on the model in picture #27588. So, thanks yet again!
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Added by Ian Hourston on 21 November 2014
Stromness parish
