St. Thomas had suffered a very damaged bow in a collision with the American war built ‘C2’ type vessel War Hawk in the river Scheldt on Wednesday 28th April 1954.
The bow of the American ship was deeply embedded in a ‘V’ gash into the port side of the bow and fo’c’stle of St. Thomas.
Repairs were made afloat at Antwerp as the damage extended below the waterline, and with the cargo discharged from the forward holds, the ‘V’ gash was successfully plated over without the necessity of dry docking the ship.
No casualties were reported, and St. Thomas had been cleared to be repaired afloat at Antwerp under the supervision of Marine Superintendent Capt William Rees of Cardiff.
The damage repair bills to both St. Thomas and War Hawk were paid two thirds by the P. & I. insurers of War Hawk and one third by the P. & I. insurers of the South American Saint Line.
St. Thomas had also previously partly stove in her bows in a collision with a quay wall at Liverpool.
