A LENS ON VANCOUVER'S PAST
Photography by Walter Frost
M.S. DONGEDYK
TECHNICAL DATA
Type:
Tonnage (GRT):
Length:
Service Speed:
Complement:
Grain Cube:
Bale Cube:
Passengers:
Year Delivered:
Years In Service:
Year Dismantled:
Combination cargo-passenger ship
10,942
161.24 m / 529 ft.
16.0 kts
54
723,000 cu. ft.
676,000 cu. ft.
50
1929
1929-1952
1966
Interesting Facts & Figures
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The Dongedyk (the former Delftdyk) was repaired and renamed after being seriously damaged while en route from Bremen to Rotterdam.
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On January 24, 1950, the Delftdyk (Capt. H. Oldenburger) struck and detonated a magnetic mine in the North Sea near the German island of Norderney. Fortunately, none of the 68 people on board were injured but the damage required that the ship be taken under tow; first back to Bremenhaven and then to Rotterdam. Here, she underwent extensive reconstruction (modified clipper bow increasing her length, new engines increasing her speed, and lowered funnel updating her appearance).
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Two years later on her maiden voyage, the Dongedyk (Capt. C. Visser) was photographed by Walter Frost at Vancouver’s Ballantyne Pier with smoke coming out of Hold No. 3 as the ship’s crew and Vancouver firemen battled a 3-alarm blaze below deck on Monday, April 28, 1952. Pictured alongside is Vancouver Fireboat No. 2.