BORN AT GREENOCK.

In November, 1917, the s/s "Cape Corso", future Liberia, was towed into Swansea as a result of having been torpedoed on both sides in way of the engine and boiler room, the upper portion amidships being practically destroyed. After floating in the river a few times, she collapsed and broke amidships, so that her bow and stern were forced above their normal positions. The injured portions of the vessel were then secured with plates, angles, etc., with a view to avoiding any further damage which would prevent the ship from being placed on the blocks in the dry dock.

The vessel was actually dry docked on February 1st 1918, and immediately she took the blocks amidships, it was observed that, by comparison with the draught of water in the dock and the marks on the ship, the after end was up 9 i ns, while the forward end was 3ft. 6 ins. When there was still 8-ft. of water in the dock, the temporary plates, angles, etc., commenced to break, and then following a loud report, the midship portions parted and the vessel dropped into the exact position arranged for. The subsequent repairs carried out on the s/s " Cape Corso " proved to be one of the most difficult jobs executed in the Bristol Channel as it was necessary to remove the main engines, three boilers and all auxiliary machinery, the vessel in fact being entirely reconstructed amidships.

Great satisfaction was expressed by the Admiralty Representative at the manner in which the ship had been dry-docked under such extraordinary circumstances, and with the carrying out of the extensive repairs.