RRS Bransfield
Encyclopedia
RRS Bransfield was an ice-strengthened cargo vessel, purpose-built for the British Antarctic Survey
(BAS).
, and built by Robb Caledon Shipbuilders Ltd
, Leith. She was named after Edward Bransfield
RN (1785-1852), who discovered the north west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
, roughly surveyed the South Shetland Islands
, claiming King George Island and Clarence Island
for Great Britain. Bransfield was the first man to chart part of the Antarctic mainland.
This was the second vessel to be named after Bransfield by BAS or its predecessors. The first was HMS Bransfield, the original expedition ship for Operation Tabarin
, a secret British expedition to Antarctica during World War Two. It established the first permanent British bases on the Antarctic Peninsula and became the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey in 1945 (renamed BAS in 1962). This vessel was a wooden Norwegian sealer built in 1918 as the Veslekari, and renamed for the expedition. Her service with Tabarin was inglorious - she proved to be unseaworthy, and had to be replaced before the expedition left English waters in November 1943.
In 1993/94, while in the Weddell Sea
Bransfield suffered an engine room fire.
In May 1999, she was sold to GC Rieber Shipping
as part of the contract for the long-term charter of her replacement, .
For much of her career her joint Masters were John Cole and Stewart Laurence. Bransfield represented NERC in the Review of the Fleet at Spithead
in 1977, held to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee.
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey is the United Kingdom's national Antarctic operation and has an active role in Antarctic affairs. BAS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and has over 400 staff. It operates five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica....
(BAS).
History
RRS Bransfield was designed by consultants Graham & Woolnaugh of Liverpool for NERCNatural Environment Research Council
The Natural Environment Research Council is a British research council that supports research, training and knowledge transfer activities in the environmental sciences.-History:...
, and built by Robb Caledon Shipbuilders Ltd
Henry Robb
Henry Robb, Limited, known colloquially as Robbs, was a British shipbuilding company based in Leith Docks on the east coast of Scotland. Robbs was notable for building small-to-medium sized vessels, particularly tugs and dredgers.-History:...
, Leith. She was named after Edward Bransfield
Edward Bransfield
Edward Bransfield was a master of the British Royal Navy and considered the discoverer of the continent of Antarctica.-Early life:...
RN (1785-1852), who discovered the north west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
, roughly surveyed the South Shetland Islands
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...
, claiming King George Island and Clarence Island
Clarence Island (South Shetland Islands)
Clarence Island is long and the easternmost of the South Shetland Islands of the British Antarctic Territory. The name dates back to at least 1821 and is now established in international usage. Ernest Shackleton saw Clarence Island on his famous boat voyage but landed on Elephant Island...
for Great Britain. Bransfield was the first man to chart part of the Antarctic mainland.
This was the second vessel to be named after Bransfield by BAS or its predecessors. The first was HMS Bransfield, the original expedition ship for Operation Tabarin
Operation Tabarin
During World War II, Operation Tabarin was a small British military expedition launched from the UK in 1943 to the Antarctic to establish permanently occupied bases.-Reasons for the expedition:There were several reasons for Tabarin...
, a secret British expedition to Antarctica during World War Two. It established the first permanent British bases on the Antarctic Peninsula and became the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey in 1945 (renamed BAS in 1962). This vessel was a wooden Norwegian sealer built in 1918 as the Veslekari, and renamed for the expedition. Her service with Tabarin was inglorious - she proved to be unseaworthy, and had to be replaced before the expedition left English waters in November 1943.
In 1993/94, while in the Weddell Sea
Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre. Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The easternmost point is Cape Norvegia at Princess Martha Coast, Queen Maud Land. To the east of Cape Norvegia is...
Bransfield suffered an engine room fire.
In May 1999, she was sold to GC Rieber Shipping
GC Rieber Shipping
GC Rieber Shipping is a Norwegian shipping company that operates offshore subsea support vessels, marine seismic vessels and polar logistics and research expeditions. Based in Bergen, Norway it is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. A major owner is GC Rieber....
as part of the contract for the long-term charter of her replacement, .
Service
RRS Bransfield was BAS's main supply vessel for 29 years, from 1970/71 to 1998/99. She also had limited facilities for on-board research. There was a fully equipped hospital bay on-board.For much of her career her joint Masters were John Cole and Stewart Laurence. Bransfield represented NERC in the Review of the Fleet at Spithead
Spithead
Spithead is an area of the Solent and a roadstead off Gilkicker Point in Hampshire, England. It is protected from all winds, except those from the southeast...
in 1977, held to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee.
External links
- Photo of the ship http://www.sln.org.uk/wow/images/692.jpg