Translate

Wednesday 6 October 2021

American cabinet asked to built more nuclear propelled merchant ships according to the Dutch newspaper Het vrije volk dated 5 November 1964

Van Stoom tot Atoom, 1961
Text G.A.J. Bovens-drawings G.J. Frans Naerebout

An item reported that the shipping company American Export and Isbrandtsen Lines insisted that the American cabinet built more nuclear propelled merchant ships. The company was really interested and wanted to cooperate in designing, building and exploitation and to start with 4 ships with a service speed of 30  miles. The intention was to found a 14 days line between the USA and the Far East. Four nuclear propelled ships could replace 6 conventional ships they believed. At that moment she exploited the Savannah (1) and wanted to use this ship of the above mentioned line until the four new ships were realized, Her main condition was however that the personnel strength of the Savannah was to be decreased.

Note
1. First American nuclear merchant ship was the Savannah, building ordered in 1955, launched by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, USA with yard number 529 on 21 July 1959, completed in December 1961, maiden voyage begun on 20 August 1962 and decommissioned on 10 January 1972. IMO 5314793, cal sign KSAV.