The 'Patricia'

 


The 'Patricia' is a general cargo vessel that I painted on the East Pier in the early 1990s. She was built in 1971 by Vard Aukra, Norway, under its original name, 'Sudfjord' and then changed name to 'Patricia' in 1988.

She was a regular trader to Wicklow harbour in the late 1980s / early 1990s, loading at the Packet Pier with construction aggregate of stone and gravel from Balleese Wood Quarry, Rathdrum, which was owned by the Morrissey family. Her cargo was delivered to Barking Creek, near the Thames River, London.

Re-painted in the mid-1980s, the 'Patricia' was always well-maintained and admired by local people for her general appearance. The letters 'PAK' visible on the mural are thought to be a reference to the initials of the first names of the Morressey family's children. I am the proud owner of the ship's Irish flag!

The vessel was renamed (somewhat ironically!) the 'Pat' in 1994 after which she was based in the Dominican Republic where sadly, she lost  her moorings, was damaged and, subsequently, was decommissioned.

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