Transvaal Castle

GBQE

TRANSVAAL CASTLE was built in 1961 by John Brown & Co. (Clydebank) Ltd at Clydebank with a tonnage of 32697grt, a length of 760ft 2in, a beam of 90ft 2in and a service speed of 22.5 knots.

When launched, on 17th January 1961, she was described as an Hotel-Class Ship with eleven fare grades ranging from de luxe suites to ordinary berths and carried forty stewardettes.

Operating on the mail run she was never as popular as either the Pendennis Castle or Windsor Castle.

On 1st January 1966 she was transferred to the South African Marine Corp (UK) Ltd of London, renamed S.A. Vaal, but maintaining the Red Ensign, Union-Castle crew and management, and the same route.

Transvaal Castle

Italian – born Frank Camarda has been painting and illustrating for over a half century.

Love of art and passion for ocean liners started at a very young age, dating back to 1954,

when he and his family made a transatlantic voyage aboard the Andrea Doria.

Mr. Camarda’s work has been exhibited in personal and public showings.

His oil paintings and drawings have found homes in private collections worldwide.

Transvaal Castle - Art Gallery

Building and Launch of Transvaal Castle - 1959 to 1961

Transvaal Castle was launched at Clydebank on 17 January 1961 by Lady Cayzer, wife of the chairman of British & Commonwealth Shipping

Fitting Out & Trials - 1961

Transvaal Castle arriving and dry-docking at Falmouth after sea trials.

She sailed from here to Southampton to enter service

Inspection at Falmouth

Master	From	To
A G Patey	12/1961	10/1962
A J Hort	10/1962	12/1962
N M Lloyd	12/1962	1/1966
J D Fisher	9/1965	11/1965

Maiden Voyage - January 1962

Transvaal Castle Left Southampton 18 January For South Africa
Master	A Patey
Chief Officer	G Cochrane
First Officer	R Miller
Second Officer	R Dunning
Jnr Second Officer	A Rea
Third Officer	P Martin
Fourth Officer	R Allen
Jnr Fourth Officer	S Swanwick
Surgeon	J Latham
Chief Purser	T Brown
Purser	J Dimmock
Purser Catering	D Wickenden
Second Purser	W Eastmond
Second Purser Catering	A Harding
Asst Pursers	M Mears M Jaggers
Third Purser Catering	N Buckley
First Radio Officer	R Hough
Second Radio Officer	L Whittaker
Third Radio Officer	C Rolfe
Fourth Radio Officer	B Knapp
Nursing Sister	Miss M Farrell
Children’s Hostess	Miss R Thomas
Physiotherapist	M Stephens
Band Leader	H Dyrbusz
Carpenter	A Hart
Bosun	R Briggs
Master-at-Arms	R C Streat
Master-at-Arms	J Edwards
Chief Engineer	A Mailer
First Engineer	R Tozer
Second Engineer	K Ferguson
Int Second Engineer	D Woods
Jnr Second Engineer	M Miles D Stangroom H Young
Snr Third Engineer	J Morris
Int Third Engineer	I Cleak
Jnr Third Engineer	T Luker
Snr Fourth Engineer	S De Jager
Jnr Fourth Engineer	J Anderson
Junior Engineer	J Wintle P Mayburgh D Marshall B Emery A Metcalf
First Frig Engineer	G McGregor
Second Frig Engineer	A Wiseman
First Electrician	J Cunningham
Second Electrician	G Bowie
Third Electrician	C Gray
ER Storekeeper	C Pyne
ER Leading Hand	W Jones
Chief Barman	F Hubbard
Storekeeper	J Galpin
Head Waiter (Tourist Class)	M Monod
Laundryman	A Burroughs
Chef	C Alves
Baker	A Brohamer
Butcher	L Nicholson

Vessel

Built

Service

Tonnage

Transvaal Castle

1961

1962 Deployed to The Cape Mail Service replacing Carnarvon Castle

1966 Transferred to Safmarine renamed SA Vaal

32697

Official Number

Ship Builder

Engine Builder

Engine Type

Screws

302850

John Brown

Clydebank

John Brown

Clydebank

4 x Steam turbines

Parsons

44000 SHP

32697