ww2 Merchant Ship help please

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by soren1941, Aug 7, 2009.

  1. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    Hi Guys,

    Not normally an area I post in, however I just met a vet who was on 2 merchant ships called 'Acaster' (?) apparently under a Norwegian flag and a Canadian ship called 'Duquane'

    He was telling me how he refuelled HMS Belfast as on D Day as the guns were blazing on the other side.

    He was on the Atlantic convoys from 1943 at the age of 16, any info/photo's on these ships would be really appreciated.

    He told me that the ship was used during WW1 and was called 'War Matron' , I'm not sure which of the 2 he meant!

    Many thanks in advance

    Soren
     
  2. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hello Soren,

    Tanker ACASTA (note spelling) official number 142430 built as WAR MATRON in 1918 for The Shipping Controller, London.
    1921 renamed ACASTA
    Survived the war and was broken up in Dunston 11.6.1953.

    Photo of ACASTA
    ACASTA

    I suspect another typo with the other ship as I cannot find her but will have another go when I have more time tomorrow.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  3. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

  4. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hello Soren,
    You are probably correct with that ship
    FORT DUQUESNE built as QUEENSBOROUGH PARK in 1944 for Govt of Canada, Montreal.
    1945 renamed FORT DUQUESNE.
    Broken up in Antwerp 28.6.1967

    As you can see she was named FORT DUQUESNE from 1945 so he must have served aboard her at the end of the war if the correct ship.

    Regards
    Hugh
     

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