THE Barrow News on Saturday March 1 in 1947 gave details of the launch of the liner Accra for the Elder Dempster company.

The 10,700-ton ship was launched at Vickers and was designed for service between Liverpool and West Africa.

It was noted: "The vessel was named by Mrs Creech Jones, wife of Mr A. Creech Jones, Colonial Secretary, who accompanied her at the ceremony.

"Excellent weather favoured the occasion and as the new ship entered the waters of Walney channel she made a pleasing picture, the sun shining on her black hull and white upperworks.

"Twenty-four braziers had been burning throughout the previous week to prevent freezing of the tallow and soft soap placed on the launchways."

The Vickers band, led by Mr H. Sutcliffe, played for the ceremony.

The ship would carry goods and passengers.

It noted: "Cabins have been provided for 245 first class passengers in one and two-berth cabins and each cabin is provided with a separate bathroom or shower cubicle."

Public rooms included a lounge, library, chapel and dining saloon.

Power came from two Vickers Doxford diesel engines developing 9,400 bhp.

The ship was 471ft long and its large place on the building berth was to be taken by the first of three planned vessels for Argentina.

Accra completed 171 round trips from England to Africa and in November 1967 sailed for Cartagena, Spain, to be broken for scrap.