Memorable Day at Silloth Dock Five Years Ago
The start of the year didn’t live up to expectations for local ship spotters with arrivals coinciding with drab winter days. Rather than write an article around the resulting dull photos, this month features ships from five years ago when we enjoyed more traditional winter weather. On those bright crisp days photographers were much happier with the quality of their shots.
The first arrivals of that year were memorable for several reasons. It was one of those rare occasions when two ships arrived on the same tide. This required a local pilot on each ship and careful timing. There was only limited time when the dock gates could be kept open to complete the manoeuvre. The ships, KAPITAN SAKHAROV and STÖRTEBEKER, were both making their first visits to Silloth which attracted a good turnout of ship spotters.
Having spent New Year at sea, the KAPITAN was first to dock and would be one of the last Russian ships to call at Silloth. As the ship passed by, crew stationed at the bow looked to be in high spirits as they chatted on the radio. Over the years, Russian ships have been frequent visitors to the port, often making long voyages from the far north of the Baltic Sea. Their names, written in Cyrillic script, have been a novelty for ship spotters and often a challenge to translate. The KAPITAN, registered in Arkhangelsk, commonly referred to as Archangel, was carrying a full load of fertiliser from Belgium.
Meanwhile, the second arrival was making her approach towards the dock entrance. Sea conditions were unusually calm allowing steady control of the ship. STÖRTEBEKER advanced at walking pace and was held between the dock gates while waiting for the first Russian ship to be secured at the quayside. This was an unusual holding pattern which some of us hadn’t seen before. Once the path ahead was clear, STÖRTEBEKER made her way into the dock.
STÖRTEBEKER had travelled the furthest of the two ships bringing wheatfrom the Baltic port of Vierow, a regular source of grain for Silloth. The ship was operated by a joint Finnish/German venture whose logos were seen on the funnel and wheelhouse. Not to be left out, Britain was included in the ship’s credentials with a port of registry of Gibraltar. The flag of the British overseas territory was flying proudly at the stern. One final observation; the ship is named after a legendary 14th-century pirate reported to have a liking for large portions of ale. All in all, it was a memorable day to wrap up warm and explore Silloth.
