The 'Nordersand'

 

I painted the 'Nordersand' cargo ship or coaster on the East Pier in the early 1980s. She was one of a fleet of eight similar ships built in Japan between 1976 and 77. All of the coasters regularly traded to Wicklow port from the late 1970s.

Thanks to their Swedish owners who maintained them very well, the sister vessels were regarded as very modern and stylish for that era, particularly their distinctive swept-back funnels.

Initially, the ships traded paper pulp from Scandanavia to Wicklow port, which was stored in Conway's depot on the North Quay for onward transportation to Clondalkin Paper Mills.

Later, they traded Scania timber imports and, occasionally, Scania lorry cabs which were sent to a Scania dealer in the Dublin area. In the late 1980s, the vessels loaded with woodchips from Woodfab in Aughrim for export. It was not unusual to see two of the coasters docked in Wicklow port at the same time.

I had a good relationship with the crews of all eight vessels. I recalls getting agreement from the crew of the 'Nordersand' to hold an art class for local children on its deck!

The ship continued to trade up to July 2011 when it came under new ownership with its new name, the 'Keres', and operating in the Caribbean under the flag of Panama and later, Tanzania.

My picture below standing beside the 'Nordersand' gives a good idea of the scale of my mural.



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