Irish Cedar Voyage History

Steamship Irish Cedar.

Irish Cedar at sea.

MV Irish Cedar

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, July 9^th, 1948:
Another Gray Ship Launched And Irish Eyes Were Smiling. A few minutes after the launch at the Central Dockyard, West Hartlepool, yesterday, the single screw steamer, Irish Cedar, workmen began to lay the keel a sister ship, which will be the second of three 9.000 ton vessels to be built by William Gray and Co. Ltd. for Irish Shipping Ltd., of Dublin.
Officials of the Irish firm, along with number of guests who arrived from Dublin by air during the afternoon, watched the Irish Cedar slide gracefully down the ways following a naming ceremony performed by Mrs. S K. Roycroft, wife of a director of the shipowning company. This was preceded by the solemn rite of blessing the vessel carried out by the Rev. Father Dunne, of St. Joseph’s Church, West Hartlepool. The entire ceremony, watched by a fair number of the public, proceeded without hitch, and there was a happy gesture when 20-year-old Miss Rosemary Welsh, a dockyard employee, presented Mrs. Roycroft with a bouquet of carnations.
The owners were represented by Mr. John Leydon < chairman, Mr. S. J K. Roy croft (director), Mr. J. F. Hamilton (asst. superintendent', and Mr. R. B. Grier (inspector) and the shipbuilders Sir William Gray Bt., J. H. Farmer, Mr. A. C. Waddy, Mr. J. Lenaghan, and Mr. W. J. Wilson. Others present were Lady Gray, Mrs. J. Leydon, Miss Mary Leydon, Miss Barbara Roycroft, Mr. and Mrs. D. Herlihy, Mr. S. Roberts, District Goods and Docks manager, Mr. G. Tachmindji, Mrs. F.C. Pyman, Mrs. J.H. Farmer, Mrs. C. Waddy, Mrs. J. Lenaghan.
The Irish Cedar is of shelter deck type with forecastle and poop, and has dimensions of 420ft B.P. Four holds and deep tank are served by five hatches. Accommodation for 12 passengers has been arranged on the boat deck. Four two-berth and four single-berth cabins will be fitted, and passengers' dining saloon, lounge with bar and verandas are fitted at the fore end. The vessel's speed in service will be about 12 knots, and the propelling machinery will be made by the Central Marine Engine Works.

Taken on July 10th 1948, this is almost certainly the launch of  Irish Cedar which was 5627 gross tons and was built for Irish Shipping of Dublin.

At the ceremony are Sir William Gray and his wife (centre) and the priest is Father Francis Dunne of St Joseph's. The altar boys are from St Joseph's also and the second from the right is Jummy Cockerill.

As a note, a strange selection of hats is evident from a bowler, to an Edwardian creation on the right and a headscarf on the  left, possibly reflecting the war and lack of availability of new clothing.

The Lounge of the Irish Cedar.