Mobil Astral (1) - (1955-1963)

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( Photo thanks to Uwe Soltau )

"Mobil Astral (1), 27,010 dwt - Panamese flag, owned by Tankers Navigation Co. Ltd.,

and build in 1949 by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Co., Chester, Pa., as "Sovac Astral (1).

"Sovac Astral (1), built 1949 on B/B Charter, became "Mobil Astral (1) in 1955 and "Mobil Tide" in 1963,

returned to owners 1965 and renamed "World Miracle" converted to tank cleaning barge 1973.

"Mobil Astral (1) in the Panama Canal,May, 1958.

"Mobil Astral (1) for routine maintenance in drydock, at Skaramanga in 1962.

In front is the yacht of Niarchos called "CREOLE", the other ship in dry dock is the "World Independence".

( Photo thanks to Uwe Soltau )

"Live boat drill" on the "Mobil Astral (1), 1962.

( Photo thanks to Uwe Soltau )

"Mobil Astral' in heavy seas between Africa and Madagaskar, 1962.

( Photo thanks to Uwe Soltau )

Mobil Tide, ex Sovac Astral-1955, ex Mobil Astral-1963

LOA 628 ' Beam 82 ' 8 " Draught 32 ' 5" 27,010 SDWT

Launched 20 October 1949 at Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester, Pennsylvania, and com-

missioned 25 November 1949. Bareboat chartered as Sovac Astral by Tankers Navigation Company to

Socony-Vacuum for a period: of 15 years. Powered by a De Laval turbine developing 12,500HP.

Sovac Astral, with the others of her class, was mostly employed in lifting Kuwait crude out of Mena Al Ahmadi,

Arabian crude out of Ras Tanura, or Iraqi crude out of Tripoli for our refinery at Paulsboro.

As Mobil Astral, she suffered an explosion and fire at Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, in March 1960: four

seamen were killed and 12 injured. The fire was put out by the crew with assistance from tugs.

The vessel was renamed Mobil Tide in 1963, redelivered to her owners in 1965 and renamed World Miracle.

In 1968 she was lengthened and deepened to LOA 750 ' 6 " Draught 39 ' 1 1/2" 43,310 SDWT.

She was converted in 1973 to a non-propelled tank cleaning barge.

The Miramar Ship Index for "SOVAC Astral (1)

DWT:	27010	Yard No:	572
Length overall:	191.4	Ship Design:
LPP:	182.9	Country of build:	USA
Beam:	25.2	Builder:	Sun
Material of build:		Location of yard:	Chester, Pa
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):	1ST-16

Subsequent History:

1955 MOBIL ASTRAL - 1963 MOBIL TIDE - 1965 WORLD MIRACLE

[ 1968 Lg & deepened, 228.8 / 219.2m, 25360 grt/40970 dwt ]

Disposal Data:

hulked 1973.

History :