The Power of Light
In 1946 Portsmouth Corporation decided to ensure coal deliveries locally by ordering two steam colliers of their own. They were named Pompey Power and Pompey Light.
The two well-equipped ships came from the shipyard of SP Austin of Sunderland and entered service in 1949.
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Hide AdPompey Power displayed the Corporation’s colours on her funnel for just one voyage. Before then the coal industry was nationalised and all ships painted the same with the BEA (British Electricity Authority) logo. In 1958 the logo was omitted entirely and the ship remained with red funnels with black bands at the top.
In 1960 Pompey Power became surplus to requirement and went to Norwegian owners. Later that year Pompey Light came to the end of her days and was scrapped in Belgium.
You’ll be pleased to know that Pompey Power is still with us, now renamed MV Hamen and still in Norway.