RRS John Biscoe (1956)

The RRS John Biscoe was a supply and research vessel used by the British Antarctic Survey between 1956 and 1991.

For other ships with the same name, see RRS John Biscoe.

History
United Kingdom
Namesake: John Biscoe
Operator: British Antarctic Survey
Builder: Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley
Yard number: 778
Launched: 11 June 1956
In service: 1956
Out of service: 1991
Homeport: Stanley, Falkland Islands
Identification: IMO number: 5173321
Fate: sold 1992
Cyprus
Name: Fayza Express
Operator: Fayza Shipping Co. Ltd.
Identification: IMO number: 5173321
Fate: scrapped 2 March 2004 at Aliaga, Turkey
General characteristics
Class and type: Royal Research Ship; survey vessel; later used as passenger/cargo vessel
Tonnage: 1,554 GRT; 615 NT
Length: 220 ft (67 m)
Beam: 40 ft (12 m)
Draught: 18.42 ft (5.61 m)
Propulsion: Diesel electric
Complement: 33 crew, 34 scientists
Notes: [1]

History

An earlier vessel, RRS John Biscoe (1944) operated from 1947-56. Both were named after the English explorer John Biscoe, who discovered parts of Antarctica in the early 1830s.

John Biscoe II was replaced by RRS James Clark Ross in 1991. After decommissioning, she was sold and eventually scrapped in 2004 under the name Fayza Express.

Command

Biscoe's first visit to Halley Research Station, in 1959/60 was under the veteran captain, Bill Johnston.[2]

From 1975, joint Masters of John Biscoe were Malcolm Phelps and Chris Elliott.[3] Chris Elliott had joined BAS as Third Officer on John Biscoe in 1967, becoming Second Officer in 1970. He established the successful Offshore Biological Programme cruises and helped superintend the building of replacement James Clark Ross. Elliott was awarded the Polar Medal in 2004 and an MBE in 2005.[3] The sea passage between Adelaide Island and Jenny Island is named after Chris Elliott.[4]

Footnotes
  1. "John Biscoe". Clydebuilt. Archived from the original on 22 June 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2007.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. "RRS John Biscoe at Halley Bay". Z-Fids. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  3. "MBE for Captain Chris Elliott". British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  4. "06 Apr - Elliott Passage". British Antarctic Survey. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
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