S.S. Argyll

S.S. Argyll, a unique self-unloading salt carrier built by National Bulk Carriers, Kure Shipyards Division.

S.S. Argyll

Argyll was delivered by National Bulk Carriers, Kure Shipyards Division in 1962, on charter to the Argyll Shipping Co. of Bermuda. Designed to carry salt from Mexico to the Pacific Northwest, she was said to have been the world's largest salt carrier at the time with a capacity of 1,908,600 cubic feet. In addition to salt, she could also carry other bulk cargoes such as ore, coal and grain. Her ballast tanks could also be used to carry cargoes of oil.

Although similar in basic characteristics to Universe Defender and Ulysses (and probably built to the same general hull design), Argyll had one distinguishing feature; she had a unique self-unloading system. This system consisted of twin cranes, one each port and starboard, which could traverse fore and aft with grab buckets for retreiving cargo. In order to allow for the operation of the traveling cranes along the length of the deck, the bridge was placed all the way forward. The main deck also had a conveyor system to facilitate offload. Some of this arrangement may be seen in the photo below.

Propulsion was provided by 12,500 horsepower GE steam turbines geared to a single shaft, giving a service speed of 15 knots.

Ship	Hull#	Built	GRT	DWT	Length	Beam	Comments
Argyll	104	1962	39,665	53,000	736'6"	106'2"	Self unloading bulk carrier, designed primarily for carrying salt. Engine made 1944, boilers made 1941, fitted 1962.

A view of the self-unloading equipment on S.S. Argyll as seen from the after deckhouse.

Created by A. Davis Whittaker, Jr.
Last updated on 21 February 2005.