Tsingtao

History
1954. Built as the "Duquesne" for Cie de Nav.Fraissenet & Cyprien Fabre, Marseilles. Employed on the Marseilles-U.S.A. service. The shape of the funnel was of the French Strombus type, which was based on the formula for an aircraft wing.

January 1956. Sold to Cie de Mar. des Chargeurs Reunis, Le Havre. Renamed "Manga".

December 1961. Sold to CNCo. Refitted by Taikoo Dockyard, renamed "Tsingtao" and employed on the Australia - Japan service.

Mid 1968. Converted by Taikoo Dockyard to side door loading and employed on the Australia-New Guinea service. Renamed "Island Chief"

1970. Renamed "Tsingtao" and employed on the Australia-Japan service. Sister ship of the "Tientsin III".

January 1972. Chartered to the Pacific Nav. Co.Ltd., Tonga. Renamed "Tauloto". British flag.

January 1973. The charter was terminated when the vessel suffered a serious engine breakdown. After repairs the ship was sold to Nilmore Ltd., Bermuda., and registered for the Chinese/Somali owned Soochow Shipping Inc., Somalia. Renamed "Soochow".

1977. Transferred to the Overseas United Shipping & Trading Co.Ltd., Victoria, Seychelles., renamed "Wenchow". Employed on the Hong Kong-Shanghai-Japan-USA trades.

1978. Transferred to Panamanian registry.

May 1989. Brokenup at Kaohsiung, by Nam Long Steel & Iron Co. Ltd.