Two for One. “Hunan” and “Baroda”.
I got to thinking………….
My next “project” will hopefully be the refurbishment of “Hunan” after her disastrous damage/repair job she suffered during her theft and subsequent neglect. Pondering this project I realised that neither Hunan” or “Baroda” had ever had a build write-up. Although the 2 ships were built 20 years apart there are many similarities. So perhaps I can combine the 2 original builds into one and try to point out the differences/developments during that 20 year gap between the builds.
Before even considering the building of a model I like to get a general “feel” for at least the type of ship I’m thinking about making. Easily done if, like me, you have actual “hands-on” experience of the vessel….as was the case when building the 2 Cable Repair ships “Norseman” and “Recorder”. But “Baroda” and “Hunan” were from way before my time. However, the further I looked into the build and operation of these 2 ships, the more I realised just how little had changed over the years.
It’s quite remarkable just how little the design of General Cargo ships changed between the early 1900s and up to at least the late 1950s. That’s an empirical statement I know. But in general it holds true.
The “standard” visual aspect would be that of a vessel with a raised fo’c’sle, the bridge somewhere near the middle of the hull with the funnel not far aft of the bridge and a raised poop deck. Commonly known as a “3 Island” ship. The early variants would usually have 2 cargo hatches on the foredeck and one hatch on the afterdeck. All served by the ships own derricks. No matter how many hatches were added over the years as the ships got larger, the same basic layout carried on. The centre accommodation block sort of standardised at 4 decks and the cargo space in the holds aft of the centre-castle remained pretty much constrained by the shape of the afterbody of the hull and the large amount of space required by the shaft tunnel.
Over the years the hull shape “developed” with the so-called “cruiser stern” replacing the counter stern (in itself a hangover from the sail era, and the gradual re-shaping of the bows. The upperworks slowly developed from being purely utilitarian into more visually appealing shapes. But the basic 3-island design seemed destined to last in perpetuity.
As with road going cargo vehicles, ships weren’t really designed for any one prime function. Even the early tankers were a variation on the standard types. Now, of course, both road and sea-going vessels have become ever more specialised. Does anyone build pure “general cargo” ships any more? I doubt it.
As examples of the type I enclose 9 different ships ranging from 1914 to 1959. The age range is actually longer, but these will do. I could have included some more WW2 ships such as the “Liberty’s, Oceans etc….but they are either flush decked or have split upperworks.
1914……”Bandra” (British India).
1917…...”Katanga” (Belgian…originally “War Daffodil” (!)).
1928…...”Zealandic” (Shaw, Saville and Albion).
1932…..”Hunan” (China Steam Nav…Butterfield and Swire).
1936….”Umtali” (Bullard & King)
1944….” Alcyonis” (a variety of “Empire “ class)
1944…” Silverbow” (a much post-war modified “Victory” class).
1949…”Benavon” Ben Line, but typical of her era).
1959...”Benloyal” Ben Line. Different, but still basically the same layout as the others.
Next time I’ll at least make a start on comparing the 2 ships before I get to any of the model making aspects.