Although technically demanding, this was a fairly regular construction project. It involved "sawing" the hull in half, separating the two halves, then putting a new section in-between. With this particular vessel they had got as far as separating the two sections when one part suddenly keeled over. I don't know if anyone was injured in this accident. Can anyone shed any more light on this event? Were you working in the Yard when it happened?.

Section of boat having fallen on its side in the dry dock Photo by Pat Willis

To give you some idea of the scale of the vessel, note the diminutive figures standing at the bottom (in reality the side) of the boat.

Your Responses

Plater says:
"As an apprentice I worked on the section that was to extend the ship. The ship was the "ARALUEN" I believe, also known as the "SUGAR BOAT". My dad was on the aft section when the bow fell. I believe the manager in charge was thereafter known as "COUP THE BOAT".