No change of name

Press, 9 December 1976, Page 1

No change of name

Naming ships after the world’s great cathedrals has been one of the British shipping industry’s more inspired choices in recent years. When H. Clarkson and Company, of London, decided to re-establish its fleet and ordered a 28,000ton bulk carrier, an obvious first choice for the vessel’s name was Canterbury —a city with which the the company has Ibng had links, as well as being a logical starter for a ‘‘cathedral series” of ships’ names. The name gained unanimous support from the company’s board — but

then came the snag. The name already graced the worthy, if unglamorous, bows of the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s tug in distant New Zealand. Under Lloyd’s rules, no two vessels of more than 100 tons listed in the British register may have the same name. Accordingly, H. Clarkson and Company last month wrote to the Lyttelton Harbour Board "humbly asking” if it would be prepared to forgo possession of the name Canterbury. “Needless to say,” the British company said, “we would be pleased to meet any expenses that would

be incurred if you are willing to change the name of your tug, and we would certainly consider a modest payment for your acceding to our request.” But the Lyttelton Harbour Board was unimpressed. The board’s deputy chairman (Mr J. E. Mannering) said yesterday that it was a case of “first up, best dressed,” and urged that the board “hang on” to the name. Mr Mannering had full board support, though one member, Mr G. D. Cook, suggested that Clarkson’s might like to name its new bulk carrier Canterbury 11.