CS Ocean Layer

Disgrifiad

Acquired by Submarine Cables Limited in 1953, the Empire Frome was converted into a cable layer by R.S. Hayes at Pembroke Dock, and was then renamed CS Ocean Layer. The work being completed in 1955. Her full complement comprised 83 Officers and men, namely: 20 Deck Officers, Engineers, Electrical Staff, Pursers and Surgeon, 13 Petty Officers, 10 Engine Room Staff, 30 Deck Crew, 10 Cooks and Stewards. HER FIRST CHARTER Within a month of delivery [in 1955] Ocean Layer completed her first contract by laying the 67 nautical mile Norway-Denmark telephone cable manufactured at Greenwich for the Norwegian and Danish P.T.T. She then went on to carry out extensive repairs and renewals to cables in the South Atlantic. The diversity of the tasks included in her charter programme demonstrated the versatility of Ocean Layer and her adaptability for handling any kind of cable laying or repair operation entrusted to her. HER DEMISE On the night of June 14, 1959. Ocean Layer was 700 miles out in the Atlantic, when the fire alarm sounded. The vessel soon became a raging inferno, abandon ship was signalled at 11:45 p.m. The German motor vessel Flavia, commanded by Captain Gerhard Theune, was the first on the scene and picked up the crew of the blazing Ocean Layer without loss of life. Flavia stood by while salvage operations commenced and the gutted hulk of Ocean Layer, with a dangerous list of 15 degrees to port and still burning, was taken in tow by the German tug Wotan, commanded by Captain Hans Todt.Captain Ross and his crew were landed at Falmouth on June 19, and on June 21, Ocean Layer, with two of Flavin's crew on board, dropped anchor in Carrick Roads, two miles off Falmouth. On June 24, she was towed into Falmouth Docks. A brief inspection of Ocean Layer by officials of her owners, and representatives of the Salvage Association soon showed them that Ocean Layer, the best equipped cable vessel in the world, was completely gutted and virtually a total loss. This was confirmed after a detailed survey by experts acting for the owners and underwriters. As can be seen in the photographs this was a time when RAF Pembroke Dock was still in existence, their Sunderland Flying Boats can be seen in the background.