coal burners were reportedly efficient ships, albeit hard and dirty. They were built to maximise the discharge of product at South Trees in Gladstone.


The Boyne was commissioned in September 1982 originally carrying ore to Newcastle under ANL management and the Embley was brought into service in 1983. Both vessels were built by Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Japan for ANL subsidiaries River Boyne Pty Ltd and River Embley Pty Ltd.


Above; RTM PIIRAMU at South Trees Left; Fiztroy River already replaced Bottom; River Embley at Barney Point


The Australian River Co. was created after the sale of ANL. That company was owned by


the Commonwealth who apparently was required to continue the charter of the vessels to QAL who assisted with financing the building of the vessels. One commentator points to an irony that only on two occasions has a Prime Minister lost their seat and both were after the dismantling and sale


of a Commonwealth owned and created shipping company. These were the Australian


Commonwealth Line - sold by Stanley Bruce and ANL - sold by John Howard.


Both vessels are powered by single screw turbine, twin boiler to achieve 16 knots. Both vessels could be identified by their twin funnels.


These funnels will disappear, probably to Chittagong for dismantling, and that will mark end of the “days of steam” on the Coast. Now the waiting game is on as to whether the vessels will be replaced with Australian manned vessels and under what flag.


On Watch March 2012 page 3


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