Anna Salen
The Anna Salen was a versatile vessel that served multiple roles over her 23-year career, from cargo ship to aircraft carrier to migrant transport. Originally laid down as the Mormacland for Moore-McCormack Line, she would go on to serve six different owners under six different names before her dramatic end in 1962.
Construction and Early Service
Built by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Chester, USA as a standard C3 cargo ship, the vessel was launched on December 14, 1939. Before completion, she was requisitioned by the US Government and converted into an auxiliary aircraft carrier. Following the lend-lease agreement with Britain, she was transferred to the Royal Navy at Norfolk, Virginia on November 17, 1941, becoming the second auxiliary aircraft carrier transferred to Britain under the name HMS Archer.
Wartime Service
The vessel's early naval career was troubled. During sea trials, she experienced numerous engine failures. On January 12, 1942, she collided with the Peruvian steamer Brazos approximately 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, suffering a huge hole in the bow and serious flooding. The ship was forced to return to Charleston stern-first on January 21, with her single propeller half out of the water.
Based at Freetown, Sierra Leone, mechanical problems continued to plague the vessel. In June 1942, a bomb stored on the flight deck exploded. She subsequently sailed to Cape Town, where she collected gold ingots for transport to New York, arriving on July 15. After machinery repairs in New York, HMS Archer provided good service for the remainder of the war.
Post-war Conversions and Migrant Transport
After the war, she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport and rebuilt as a cargo ship, renamed Empire Lagan under Blue Funnel Line management. In 1946, she was returned to the USA and laid up until purchased by Swedish shipowner Sven Salen, who renamed her Anna Salen.
Initial plans for conversion to a bulk carrier at Bethlehem Shipyard in Baltimore were altered when Salen obtained a contract from the IRO to transport displaced persons. The vessel was modified with basic quarters for 1,500 persons, including new toilet and washing blocks and public rooms.
Between 1949 and 1955, she made numerous voyages carrying migrants to Australia, including:
- May 22, 1949: 1,503 passengers to Melbourne and Sydney
- August 24, 1949: 1,566 passengers to Fremantle
- October 30, 1949: Third voyage to Melbourne
One notable incident occurred during her fourth voyage from Naples, when engine trouble in the Indian Ocean forced a return to Aden. All 1,570 passengers were transferred to the Skaugum for transport to Fremantle while Anna Salen underwent six months of repairs in Europe.
Final Years and Loss
In mid-1955, the vessel was sold to Hellenic Mediterranean Lines and renamed Tasmania, continuing migrant voyages to Australia. On April 3, 1956, she ran aground entering Port Phillip Bay, causing an 11-day delay. Her final Melbourne departure was October 15, 1956, after which she was converted back to a cargo ship.
In early 1961, she was sold to China Union Lines of Taipei and renamed Union Reliance. On November 7, 1961, while traveling down the Houston Ship Canal, she collided with the Norwegian tanker Berean. Both vessels were engulfed in flames following an explosion and fireball. The Union Reliance was beached and burned out. Although refloated four days later and towed to Galveston, a second fire at the breakers in New Orleans in February 1962 totally destroyed the vessel.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 11,672 |
| Length | 494 ft (150.5 m) |
| Beam | 69 ft (21.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Busch-Sulzer diesel/single screw |
| Service Speed | 17 knots |