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Mobil Tankers
Sovac Astral - (1949-1955)
See also : Mobil Astral (1) - (1955-1963)    &   Mobil Tide - (1963-1965)

See also : The 27,000-Ton Supertanker - Part 1   ( 6 pages )

 
"Sovac Astral" at the Outfitting pier with Tugboats.
"Mobil Astral", 27,010 dwt - Panamese flag, owned by Tankers Navigation Co. Ltd.,
and build in 1949 by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Co., Chester, Pa., as "Sovac Astral".
"Sovac Astral", built 1949 on B/B Charter, became "Mobil Astral" in 1955 and "Mobil Tide" in 1963,
returned to owners 1965 and renamed "World Miracle" converted to tank cleaning barge 1973.
( Photo by A.V. Knott )
 "Sovac Astral".
( Photo Copyright Greek Shipping Miracle )
 "Sovac Astral".
( Photo Hocken Collections )

Mobil Tide, ex Sovac Astral-1955, ex Mobil Astral-1963
LOA 628 ' Beam 82 ' 8 " Draught 32 ' 5" 27,010 SDWT                                       
Launched 20 October 1949 at Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester, Pennsylvania, and com-
missioned  25 November 1949. Bareboat chartered as Sovac Astral by Tankers Navigation Company to
Socony-Vacuum for a period: of 15 years. Powered by a De Laval turbine developing 12,500 HP.
Sovac Astral, with the others of her class, was mostly employed in lifting Kuwait crude out of Mena Al Ahmadi,
Arabian crude out of Ras Tanura, or Iraqi crude out of Tripoli for our refinery at Paulsboro.
As Mobil Astral, she suffered an explosion and fire at Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, in March 1960: four
seamen were killed and 12 injured. The fire was put out by the crew with assistance from tugs.
The vessel was renamed Mobil Tide in 1963, redelivered to her owners in 1965 and renamed World Miracle.
In 1968  she was lengthened and deepened to LOA 750 ' 6 " Draught 39 ' 1 1/2" 43,310 SDWT.
She was converted in 1973 to a non-propelled tank cleaning barge.

The Miramar Ship Index for "SOVAC ASTRAL"
IDNo:
5421479
Year:
1949
Name:
SOVAC ASTRAL
Keel:
Type:
Tanker
Launch Date:
20.10.1949
Flag:
PAN
Date of completion:
11.1949

DWT:
27010
Yard No:
572
Length overall:
191.4
Ship Design:
LPP:
182.9
Country of build:
USA
Beam:
25.2
Builder:
Sun
Material of build:
Location of yard:
Chester, Pa
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
1ST-16

Subsequent History:
1955 MOBIL ASTRAL - 1963 MOBIL TIDE - 1965 WORLD MIRACLE
[ 1968 Lg & deepened, 228.8 / 219.2m, 25360 grt/40970 dwt ]

Disposal Data:
hulked 1973.

History :
ON
LR/IMO
ID
Year
Name
Tons
Change
Main Owner
5421479
1949
SOVAC ASTRAL
17598
S.S.Niarchos
5421479
1949
MOBIL ASTRAL
17598
1955
S.S.Niarchos
5421479
5421479
1949
MOBIL TIDE
17598
1963
S.S.Niarchos
5421479
5421479
1949
WORLD MIRACLE
25360
1965
S.S.Niarchos