Chungking III

History
Oct 1950. On completion of trials, the intended Hong Kong-Indonesia trade ceased due to internal warfare against the Dutch authorities. The Chungking III along with her sister ship Changchow III were placed on bare boat charter to Messageries Maritimes who placed them on the Marseilles-Panama-South Pacific service.

Nov 1952. Came off charter and sold to the Admiralty to be used as a Far East fleet supply ship. Renamed "Retainer". Buries Markes, London, appointed as managers.

July 1954. The vessel arrived at Palmers Ltd., Tyneside, for conversion to naval requirements.

April 1955. Commissioned in her new role. Now painted in a light grey.

Nov 19th.1970. Arrived in Barcelona under tow from Rosyth, Scotland.

Feb 1980. Broken up for scrap by Desquaces Cataluna S.A.

Events / Stories
Michael Dick in his book "The 4.15 to Cartsdyke" states that the passenger vessels ''Chungking" and Changchow III delivered in 1950 and 1951 were probably the best-appointed vessels built at Greenock since World War II.