Anking II

Sister of the ship Anshun II

Service
Anking was one of a class of two ships, with her sister Anshun II, built soon after the war for the emigrant trade from South China to Singapore and Penang. In addition to ‘tween deck passengers, she carried cargoes of foodstuffs from China southbound, and timber and firewood northbound.

The standard of accommodation was a considerable improvement on the pre-war service; and the ship had berths for 46 first class, 116 third class passengers and 964 unberthed passengers.

By the beginning of the 1950's, the China-Malay trade had disappeared and Anking was transferred to the Hadj service from Malaysia to Jeddah - alternating with labour recruitment voyages for the British Phosphates Commission on Nauru and Ocean Island. When on the Hadj service the hull was white with a green band. A green bamd between two white on the funnel bore the Malay flag, and the blessing "Allah be with you" in Arabic, sometimes occurred. The white paint on the hull was reputed to reduce the temperature in the tween deck passenger space, which were not air conditioned, by about one degree Centigrade.

1960. "Anking" was replaced on the Hadj by Kuala Lumpur and was transferred full-time to the Australian “Intermediate” (Japan-Hong Kong-East Australia) service; and thence to the Australia-New Guinea trade in 1962. A ‘side-line’ for the ‘A’ Class vessels was passenger cruise chartering - based on Australia and New Zealand. For example, in February, 1962, Anking was chartered briefly to the Clarence War Memorial Swimming Centre Trust, for a two-day fund raising excursion to Port Davey, Tasmania.

1965. "Anking" was transferred to C.N.Co.’s Hong Kong-Keelung (Taiwan) service - becoming something of an institution for the clockwork regularity of her weekly departures from Hong Kong. On the 11th August 1965, she was holed after striking Keelung breakwater, but was docked and repaired.

"Anking" continued in this service until her sale, in May 1970, to the Straits S.S.Co. of Singapore, who renamed her "Klias". She was then employed on the Singapore-East Coast of Malaysia service.

Sept 7th,1976. Fractured the stern post when "hung up" on the wharf at Singapore. Decision made not to repair damage, arrived in Hong Kong under tow in Dec.1976.

Jan 1977, vessel being broken up by Fuji Marden.

Refrigeration problems
In number 3 hold 'tween deck there were three refrigerated lockers:- one large one, and two half the size of the large one, all being designed to be capable of holding and carrying a total frozen cargo. However in 1964, only half the total space could be carried as freezer and the rest as chilled cargo. All refrigerating ecuipment having been thoroughly checked and found to being in good condition. When in the tropics difficulty was experienced in maintaining temperatures. In August 1964 southbound from Hong Kong, the ship was berthed at No 9 Walsh Bay, Sydney, port side to the wharf and cargo being discharged normally. Early one morning an Australian customs officer noticed that ship's side of the starboard side of number 3 hold 'tween deck was covered in "snow". On the cargo being discharged from the refrigerated lockers, the customs investigated the lockers and eventually discovered that between the inner lining, (timber sheathing), of the locker and the ship's side, had at some time in the past been removed and then replaced, and there was a void where there should have been insulation. This space would no doubt having been used for smuggling activities. Next time in Hong Kong the insulation was replaced and no more problems were experienced holding the required temperatures.