The Power of Light

My recent picture of the collier Pompey Power (pictured here at The Camber) brought several replies and I am grateful to Martin Bowler and Graham Stevens, among others, for their input.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Nov 2016, 06:36 BST
The collier Pompey Power arriving at her dock opposite the power station. (Barry Cox collection)The collier Pompey Power arriving at her dock opposite the power station. (Barry Cox collection)
The collier Pompey Power arriving at her dock opposite the power station. (Barry Cox collection)

In 1946 Portsmouth Corporation decided to ensure coal deliveries locally by ordering two steam colliers of their own. They were named Pompey Power and Pompey Light.

The two well-equipped ships came from the shipyard of SP Austin of Sunderland and entered service in 1949.

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Pompey Power displayed the Corporation’s colours on her funnel for just one voyage. Before then the coal industry was nationalised and all ships painted the same with the BEA (British Electricity Authority) logo. In 1958 the logo was omitted entirely and the ship remained with red funnels with black bands at the top.

... and here she is in Norway, today renamed MV Hamen. Picture: Trygve Eriksen.... and here she is in Norway, today renamed MV Hamen. Picture: Trygve Eriksen.
... and here she is in Norway, today renamed MV Hamen. Picture: Trygve Eriksen.

In 1960 Pompey Power became surplus to requirement and went to Norwegian owners. Later that year Pompey Light came to the end of her days and was scrapped in Belgium.

You’ll be pleased to know that Pompey Power is still with us, now renamed MV Hamen and still in Norway.