LAUNCH DAY PHOTOGRAPHS

JOHN HARKER SHIPYARD KNOTTINGLEY

10th DECEMBER 1963

' FRANCES MARY '

Official No.303845

CARGO BARGE LAUNCHED AT KNOTTINGLEY

An all welded general cargo barge was launched sideways at the Knottingley shipyard of John Harker Ltd., on Tuesday and named 'FRANCES MARY'. The ceremony was performed by Miss Enid Pittwood. She is the daughter of Ald. E. Pittwood, Chairman and Managing Director of the owners, Flixborough Shipping Co. Ltd. Miss Pittwood received a boquet from 17-year-old apprentice rigger John Bickerdike of Doncaster Road, Ferrybridge.
The vessel which measures 113ft 2ins x 17ft 6ins has a carrying capacity of 265 tons on 7ft 3ins actual mean draft. Main power is a diesel engine developing 110bhp at 1300rpm.
'FRANCES MARY', which is the first barge built by the Knottingley firm for the Flixborough company will have a two-man crew. She is the 260th vessel launched from the Knottingley shipyard and the 11th launched or completed this year.
Pontefract & Castleford Express, 12th December 1963, page 7.

NOTES: Registered at Hull number 1 on 1st January 1964. Fitted with a six-cylinder Gardner engine. Measurements 109.30ft x 17.60ft x 7.35ft. Gross tonnage 135.85, register 96.61.