MV London Statesman

MV London Statesman was a dry cargo ship built by Uddevallavarvet AB, Uddevalla in Sweden for London & Overseas Freighters (LOF).[1] She was launched on 30 January 1963, completed on 26 June of that year[1] and cost just over £1.3 million.[2] LOF employed her on the tramp trade.

History
United Kingdom
Name	MV London Statesman (1963–79)
Port of registry	London (1963–79)
Builder	Uddevallavarvet AB, Uddevalla[1]
Cost	£1,310,000[2]
Yard number	191[1]
Launched	30 January 1963[1]
Renamed	Agia Marina (1979–81) Olympiakos (1981–83) Skaros (1983–84)[1]
Identification	UK official number 304576[1]
Fate	Damaged by Exocet missile in 1984 and scrapped [1]
General characteristics
Tonnage	10,892 GRT 6,196 net 15,100 DWT[1]
Installed power	10,000 bhp[1]
Propulsion	8-cylinder Götaverken single-acting two-stroke diesel engine.[1]
Speed	16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)[1]
Notes	sister ships: London Craftsman[3] London Tradesman[4]

On 10 July 1972 during the Vietnam War the London Statesman was unloading a cargo of rice in Nha Trang in South Vietnam when her engine room flooded and she sank by the stern.[1] Sabotage by the Viet Cong was suspected.[1] On 31 July she was refloated and towed to Singapore for repairs.[1] She continued to trade with LOF until 1979.[1]

On 5 January 1979 LOF sold her to Diana Shipping Agencies who renamed her Agia Marina.[1] In 1981 Diana Shipping sold her to new owners who renamed her Olympiakos.[1] In 1983 she was sold again to OBI Island Maritime who renamed her Skaros.[1]

On 1 February 1984 during the Iran–Iraq War Skaros was one of four merchant ships in a convoy outward bound in the Bandar Imam Khomeini Channel.[5] Iraqi aircraft attacked the convoy with Exocet missiles, hitting all four ships.[5] Skaros was hit in the engine room and set on fire.[1] She was towed back to Bandar Imam Khomeini that same day, where her insurers declared her a total loss.[1]