The Ship Model Forum

Do you have any pics of the crew on the star of malta? MY grandad used to work there and was involved on the dragonara incident. If you have pls send emails on carabott.mark@gmail.com

My Grandfather was the radio operator of the Star of Malta and my uncle was a sailor in the engine room when it went down. I only was talking about the Star of Malta to my mother as the liner Costa Concordia went down. My mum told me how she run with my 6month old sister to the point to see the ship go over. My grandfather saved my uncle from the engine room as it was taking in water and then went on to help and save others in the sea.. I do not know any more information than that.

Matthew: according to her Navsource entry, she was built in Neponset, MA: http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1328.htm

Can anyone tell me where the Marcasite PY-28 ws built please?
Very similar vessels were built by the Co; "Philip & Son Ltd" Dartmouth UK.
The yard built similar vessels such as the twin screw M.Y. called "Caleta" Built by Philip yard 1930 for Sir William Drumond, Royal Yacht Sqdn.
1940 saw her requisitioned by the Admiralty. She took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.
1945 Returned to her owner & renamed Ariane and later Corisande.
1997 Found in poor condition in Malta.
1998 Shipped back to UK and rebuilt by Camper and Nicholsons Ltd.
1999 Based in Antibes as a tender to the owner's 1915 built racing schooner Mariette
Info taken from book "Philip & Son Ltd Shipbuilders and Engineers" By Derek Blackhurst ISBN 1 901 703 42 8 (A superb history of this unique boat builder)

Matthew Heaton : email mheaton1@aol.com

I have seen these exchanges, I have quite some information and photos of the ship. I have infact constructed a model from scratch of the ship as it was at the time it grounded. I had to make some plans myself, even though I think that there is some plan existing of the original ship. I have done a lot of research and if you are interested I can send you some info. Presently I live in France, and info is in Malta, but I will be going down to Malta sometime this summer. Please advise me.
Joe

Good luck. Would love to hear if you find anything. My grandfather was a crew member on Camargo 1930-31 when it sailed around the world. I recently acquired a copy of Fleischmann's "Footsteps in the Sea," which chronicles the voyage. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Star of MALTA GROUNDED

You might want to look at http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1328.htm

And I'm they would appreciate the information you have on what happened to the yacht and they would probably post any pictures you have of her. Send information and photos to jradigan@navsource.org

Since the yacht was a special build, it may be difficult to find builders plans.

Good Luck,

Russ

I am searching for plans and details of this particular ship as a scratchbuilding project.

Many Maltese traveled on this ship as it was the ferry to Europe making trips thrice weekly to Syracuse.

My Grandad was part of the crew as a Boatswain in the fifties

[img]http://www.timesofmalta.com/media/serve/20090210--093211-let_11.jpg[/img]


Here is some more info

[i]The MV Star of Malta was launched in 1925 as the luxury yacht Camargo. She was built for a wealthy American - Julius Fleischmann of Cincinnati who was an expert yachtsman. While cruising on board Camargo in the South Pacific with his wife and two children he secretly created maps that were later used by the US government when attacking the many Japanese-held islands during World War ll.

In 1938 Camargo was sold to the President of the Dominican Republic, Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo, and renamed Ramfis.

In 1942 she was acquired by the US Navy, converted for naval service and commissioned as USS Marcasite (PY-28) on May 12, 1942 with Lt. Cdr Leander Jeffrey in command.

[i]She saw service at Pearl Harbour escorting merchant ships operating in the Hawaiian Islands. Having left Pearl Harbour she was next stationed at Seattle, where she served as a patrol and weather station ship. She was decommissioned on October 5, 1944 and sold that same month for conversion to commercial use and renamed Comando.[/i]
In 1947 she was acquired by the Minster SS Co. Ltd (Mitchell Cotts & Co. Malta) and renamed Westminster. In 1952 she was sold to a Maltese, Paul M. Laferla, who operated her thrice weekly as the passenger ferry Star of Malta between Malta and Syracuse. The vessel also carried mail.

On July 29, 1955 at about 8 a.m., while returning from Syracuse, the Star of Malta ran aground in thick early mist on the Mercanti Reef some 200 feet off Dragonara Point and capsized.[/i]


Video clip of the Ship aground

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39584