MV Koning Albert

Koning Albert – © A G Jones

Steel twin screw motor vessel, built and engined by Cockerill’s of Hoboken in 1947 (Yard No. 726) for the Belgian Marine Administration’s Ostend service.

Technical Data

Length on deck: 113.52m (372.6 ft)(overall)/108.6m (356.2 ft) (between perpendiculars)
Breadth of hull: 14.97m (49.1 ft)(extreme)
Depth: 7.43m (24.4 ft) (moulded)
Draught: 3.81m (12.5 ft)(maximum)
Tonnage: 3,360.3,701 gross/1,671/1,788.2,342 net/464 deadweight
Engines: Two 12-cylinder Cockerill/Sulzer single acting two-stroke diesels each
Power: 8,500 hp/17000 bhp
Speed: 22 knots service, 24 knots (max), 25.5 knots (trial)
Capacity: 1600 passengers
Call Sign: ORAK (@ 1974)
IMO Number: 5192937
Registry: Ostend
Sister ships: Prince Philippe I

History

“One of two new passenger motor vessels. Both were similar to the three pre-war steamers in terms of conception, but had welded hull and looked more substantial due to their more enclosed passenger accommodation. As with their predecessors, they were fitted with three bridge houses, contrary to contemporary ferries which had only one.”.

Design work for the KONING ALBERT had already started during the German occupation.

June 11^th 1946: Launched.

🆕 Koning Albert – © Sky Photos

December 1947: Delivered to Regie voor Maritiem Transport, Ostend, Belgium.

December 11^th 1947: Services Ostend – Dover.

Koning Albert – Roy Thornton Collection (🆕 Postcards) (All)

December 1947: Delivered to Regie voor Maritiem Transport, Ostend, Belgium

Koning Albert – © A G Jones (both)

Koning Albert – Roy Thornton Collection

December 11th 1947: Maiden voyage to Dover, then commenced service between Ostend – Dover

Koning Albert – Courtesy of Julien Tahon

June 16th 1964: Collided with the Norwegian tanker PROMETHEUS about half way to Ostend. Escorted back to Dover. Suffered severe bow damage.

October 7th 1973: Laid up in reserve.

December 1976: Laid up.

April 24th 1977: Sold to Van Heyghen Freres, Ghent, Belgium.

May 23rd 1977: Arrived in Ghent.

June 5th 1978: Scrapping commenced.

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: A G Jones and Julien Tahon for their assistance in producing this feature.