Three notable British freighters laid up at Southampton in September 1969. From left to right are Clan Line’s Clan Ramsay and Clan Robertson, and on the right is Union-Castle’s Rothesay Castle.

The 10,541grt Clan Ramsay was built in 1965 by Greenock Dockyard at Cartsdyke East for Union-Castle Line with Clan Line as operators. In 1977 she was the last vessel operated by Clan Line and moved to Union-Castle as Winchester Castle thus condemning Clan Line to history. In 1979 she was renamed Winchester Universal for the joint Union-Castle/Safmarine Universal Reefer Consortium, and the following year she joined Braganza Shipping of Piraeus as Lady Madonna. On 25th April 1985 she arrived at Gadani Beach to be broken up by Sheikh Miran Bux.

The 10,542grt Clan Robertson had a similar history, being built in 1965 by Greenock Dockyard at Cartsdyke East for Union-Castle Line with Clan Line as operators. In 1976 she became Balmoral Castle, and in 1979 she was renamed Balmoral Universal. In 1982 she was sold to National History Cia Naviera SA of Piraeus and renamed Psara Reefer. On 19th June 1984 she arrived at Chittagong to be broken up by Saleh Steel Industries. The 9,650grt Rothesay Castle was built in 1960 by Greenock Dockyard at Cartsdyke East. In 1975 she was sold to Lloyd Uruguayo SA and renamed Laura. On 31st August 1980 she arrived at Gadani Beach to be broken up by S.Z. Enterprises.
Photo by Nigel Lawrenc