SS Eletric 1924-1960
Photograph above was taken by Kevin Patience in 1968 while he was on a detachment with 39 Sqdn (Canberra PR aircraft) from RAF Luqa, Malta.
When I was there in July 68 to Oct 69 the mid section fell away leaving just the fore and aft sections.
Kevin returned, on a Nimrod from RAF St Mawgan, in 1986 and the whole ship had disappeared.
I returned to the island myself in 2014, with the Oman RAF Veterans Association. The horizon looked strangely empty without her.
Some, including myself, have mistakenly called her the SS Electra which has caused some confusion when trying to find the history. She was originally launched as the Barrington Court in 1924, renamed SS Leon De Nervo in 1948 and SS Eletric in 1951. Renaming was quite common when ships changed owners.
Kevin, who took the photograph, also posted the following on 'Wrecksite' website'
"The ship was on a voyage from Goa to Lubeck with a cargo of iron when it grounded off the northern tip of Masirah Island close to the R.A.F. airfield on 16 August 1960. The RAF crew made contact with the ship's crew who initially refused assistance.
An SOS transmitted by the Eletric was picked up by the tanker Ras al Ardh which arrived and rescued the crew who were put ashore at Suez. A salvage attempt re-floated the vessel but it subsequently re-grounded and broke in front of the bridge.
I was based at Masirah in 1968 and took the attached photograph. In April 1977 the wreck was used for target practice and two months later broke up in the cyclone that severely damaged facilities ashore. In 1986 I revisited the wreck site and there was nothing left apart from scrap metal.
"
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?103714
When I was there in July 68 to Oct 69 the mid section fell away leaving just the fore and aft sections.
Kevin returned, on a Nimrod from RAF St Mawgan, in 1986 and the whole ship had disappeared.
I returned to the island myself in 2014, with the Oman RAF Veterans Association. The horizon looked strangely empty without her.
Some, including myself, have mistakenly called her the SS Electra which has caused some confusion when trying to find the history. She was originally launched as the Barrington Court in 1924, renamed SS Leon De Nervo in 1948 and SS Eletric in 1951. Renaming was quite common when ships changed owners.
Kevin, who took the photograph, also posted the following on 'Wrecksite' website'
"The ship was on a voyage from Goa to Lubeck with a cargo of iron when it grounded off the northern tip of Masirah Island close to the R.A.F. airfield on 16 August 1960. The RAF crew made contact with the ship's crew who initially refused assistance.
An SOS transmitted by the Eletric was picked up by the tanker Ras al Ardh which arrived and rescued the crew who were put ashore at Suez. A salvage attempt re-floated the vessel but it subsequently re-grounded and broke in front of the bridge.
I was based at Masirah in 1968 and took the attached photograph. In April 1977 the wreck was used for target practice and two months later broke up in the cyclone that severely damaged facilities ashore. In 1986 I revisited the wreck site and there was nothing left apart from scrap metal.
"
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?103714
Update 17 November 2024 from Bill Allen
Saw your site when searching for the wreck (found the Eletric, photo attached). This reminded me of a short pleasant stay on the island.
I was attached to the Oman MoD, and was sent to Masirah to co-ordinate the nosewheel positions of the Jaguars (I think?). I expected to spend several nights taking star shots (having done a hasty revision and dug out my almanacs for this seldom called for task!).
However to my relief I found that the US DMS had established a GPS station on a local hill (Jebel Hamra?). Using this data my task was much simplified (and shortened) leaving me a week or more to see the island, courtesy of the RAF staff!
As a thank you I did a survey of the "golf course", oiled sand browns among the rocks. I drew up this survey and it was pinned to the wall of one of the buildings!
Fantastic hospitality, never forgotten.
Bill Allen
Saw your site when searching for the wreck (found the Eletric, photo attached). This reminded me of a short pleasant stay on the island.
I was attached to the Oman MoD, and was sent to Masirah to co-ordinate the nosewheel positions of the Jaguars (I think?). I expected to spend several nights taking star shots (having done a hasty revision and dug out my almanacs for this seldom called for task!).
However to my relief I found that the US DMS had established a GPS station on a local hill (Jebel Hamra?). Using this data my task was much simplified (and shortened) leaving me a week or more to see the island, courtesy of the RAF staff!
As a thank you I did a survey of the "golf course", oiled sand browns among the rocks. I drew up this survey and it was pinned to the wall of one of the buildings!
Fantastic hospitality, never forgotten.
Bill Allen
Update 26 November 2018 from Vic Osborne.
While Vic was working on Masirah island 1993-1999 the divers of the Water Sports Club freed the anchor and raised it to the surface.
It now sits outside the entrance to the Water Sports Club, to the left of the Land Rover in the photograph.
While Vic was working on Masirah island 1993-1999 the divers of the Water Sports Club freed the anchor and raised it to the surface.
It now sits outside the entrance to the Water Sports Club, to the left of the Land Rover in the photograph.
