Empire Food Ships 1934-1948 - A Link with Southern Dominions describes, in all its aspects, a special era in the shipment of refrigerated produce from the Commonwealth countries of the southern hemisphere to the United Kingdom.
Beginning with the origins of the trade, it goes on to relate in some detail the development of the purpose-designed, diesel-powered, refrigerated cargo vessel, a type of ship which was essential if the carriage of perishable cargoes over such long distances was to be successful. Similarly, it reviews the processes of marine refrigeration, those techniques which were critical to ensuring that the meat, dairy produce and other foodstuffs conveyed were as fit for consumption at the end of the voyage as they were at the outset.
Life aboard these ships in the deck, engineering and passenger departments is recalled as well as the wartime experiences of these ships. With their enormous cargo capacities, the contribution of the Empire Food Ships in the relentless struggle to sustain the supply of food to the ‘home front’ during the war at sea was especially important. It is recounted here in vivid detail.
Finally, the disposal of the surviving Empire Food Ships is reviewed after the emergence of other cargo-carrying types, including the modern container ship, rendered them obsolete.
Richard de Kerbrech has had personal experience of cargo ship operation during his time at sea as an Engineering Officer Cadet. He draws on this, as well as his engineering background and his first-hand knowledge of shipboard life to present this very readable account. The Empire Food trade was unique, as was the special type of cargo ship developed to operate on it. This is the story of one of the ‘unclaimed stars’ of the British Merchant Marine.
