Thread by @ShipwrecksPod

During the foggy early morning hours of 11 May 1972 the 🇬🇧British cargo vessel Royston Grange was on voyage to Montevideo, 🇺🇾Uruguay carrying a cargo of beef, butter, and grain. While crossing..(1/4)
#England #Liberia #Uruguay #Argentina #shipwreck #maritime #history

Rio de la Plata in the Punta Indio channel she struck the 🇱🇷Liberian tanker Tien Chee which was carrying 20,000 tons of crude oil. A series of explosions engulfed both ships and all 74 aboard the Royston Grange died in the flames along with 8 of 40 crew from the Tien Chee. (2/4)

Survivors were rescued by vessels from 🇦🇷Argentina and Uruguay. A Liberian investigation found the channel was too narrow for two-way traffic, too shallow, and lacked proper dredging and maintenance. (3/4)

However, the Tien Chee was 3 hours behind schedule and the master and pilot were criticized for entering the channel during unfavorable tidal conditions. (4/4)