KINNAIRD CASTLE was built in 1956 by Greenock Dockyard at Greenock with a tonnage of 7718grt, a length of 502ft 10ins, a beam of 65ft 10in and a service speed of 16 knots.

She was launched on 17th January 1956 as the Clan Ross (3)

In 1961 she was transferred to Safmarine and renamed South African Scientist but in the following year reverted to Clan Line and renamed Kinnaird Castle for Union-Castle operations.

During 1969 registered ownership was transferred to King Line Ltd, without a change of name.

In October 1975 she was sold to Dasonab Nav. S.A. of Panama and renamed Nazeer.

She continued in service until 26th April 1978 when she arrived at Gadani Beach and broken up.

This picture must date from the time of her transfer from being South African Scientist to Kinnaird Castle in 1962. The hull has been painted in Union-Castle black but her upperworks remain in Safmarine colours. She is flying the Red Ensign

Clansman - June 1975

As South African Scientist

As Nazeer

Oil Painting

Artist: Stephen J Card

The cadets with Training Officer Richard Mennell on the left and Captain Basil Biggs in the centre

Kinnaird Castle in Barcelona

Taked by Cadet Richard Hughes from the cable car

The Kinnaird Castle became a cadet ship on the 8 June 1964.

Below is the formal programme carried out that day.

There were twelve cadets, 4 of us had already done one trip on various vessels, and the other 8 were all first trippers. Initially we were a bit miffed about being put on a cadet ship having already done a voyage. That soon changed as it was great fun especially in the evenings when all sorts of social activities could take place.

Obtaining beer was a bit of a problem as not everyone was over 18 and those that were had the amount rationed. However the engineers always came to the rescue with discrete payments being made.

We had a great crew with Zulus on deck and Durban Indians as stewards. The Zulus were fantastic and all the cadets learnt a lot while working with them. The bosun looked like a pirate as he only had had one eye and wore a black patch. His name, as far as I can remember, was Sandhu. ……. Mike Dowsett

Tom Hazelton, Phil Steer, Keith Bateman and Tim Cartwright.

Tim was a wild South African from Germiston.

On his second trip he went on leave and never came back.

In the foreground,

George McLaren, George Walters, Mick Tonkin and Tom Hazleton.

Mike Dowsett looking after the 10 dogs that were being taken to Cape Town.

It was a nice little earner and he got nearly 20 rand.

The only problem was that he had the bright idea of using the old nets that were used for deck games in the passenger ship days to make an enclosure so that all the dogs could be out at once.

This saved putting leads on them and walking them, as running around together gave them plenty of exercise.

However sex must have reared its ugly head as he found out later one of the pedigree breeds gave birth to a mongrel.

Review - August 1966

Review February - 1967

Review - April 1967

Crossing The Line - Southbound 1971

Canvas Pool rigged after leaving Madeira

Tony, Chris Thompson, Tim Broughton and John Harris

Captain Basil Biggs

King Neptune - L White, Purser

Mermaid - R Thomas, 3rd Officer

Radio Officer  - Charles Pratt

Chief Officer - Phil Atkinson

Cadet - John Gilburt

Chippy - Pete Jeffrey

Rick Hamilton,  Bob Nell  and  John Harris

Cadet - Rick Hamilton

Cadet - Nigel Hughes

Cadet - Nigel Hughes