THE M.V. OBUASI

Launched on the 24th June 1952 by Mrs M B Glasier, the Obuasi was built by Harland and Wolff Limited in Belfast.

Technical Data on Obuasi indicates that she was a cargo-passenger vessel of 5,883 gross tons with a length overall of 449 feet 5 inches. Her 5 cylinder, 2 cycle, single-acting diesel engine gave her a service speed of 13 knots.

Obuasi became the Company’s first cadet training ship in July 1953, and, initially, she carried a total of 18 apprentices, who were designated as midshipmen by the Company. Four were accommodated in what was the original apprentices’ cabin on the officers’ deck, and the remainder were accommodated in cabins on the upper and lower poop decks. The total was later increased to 20, when a cabin on the officers’ deck was allocated to the 2 most senior midshipmen. Usually, a midshipman would spend 2 or 3 voyages on Obuasi, totalling approximately 9 to 12 months, and the remaining time under articles would be spent on other vessels in the Company’s fleet.

Although Obuasi was not equipped with a schoolroom, midshipmen were required to study through a correspondence course, and one of the deck officers was made responsible for their training and welfare. The midshipmen had their own recreation room on the upper poop deck, and they usually took their meals in the messroom on the starboard side of the main deck.

Obuasi ceased to be the Company’s cadet training ship in July 1961.

Photographs and anecdotes are a great way to show that midshipmen not only worked hard but played hard.

Any material that you would like to display would be most gratefully received.

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