The SS Dara before the fire
RA
built by Barclay Curle & Company Glasgow,
Yard No 711
Last Name: DARA
Port of Registry: London
Propulsion: diesel, 14 knots
Built: 1948
Ship Type: Passenger Cargo Vessel
Tonnage: 5030 tons
Length: 398.7 feet
Breadth: 54.8 feet
Owner History:
British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London
Status: Sunk - 08/04/1961
Remarks:
The British India liner DARA, Capt. C. Elson, with a total of 819 passengers and
crew, was in the Persian Gulf at the port of Dubai on April 7th, 1961. The
vessel was unloading cargo and embarking and disembarking passengers when a
violent storm of wind and rain made further work impossible. Capt. Elson decided
to take his ship out of harbour and ride out the gale off shore. This was
accomplished without further mishap, but while returning to Dubai at about 4.40
on the morning of the 8th there was a very heavy explosion between decks and the
ship caught fire.
There was a certain amount of panic among the crew and passengers and many
jumped into the sea or overcrowded the lifeboats, several of which capsized.
Fortunately there were ships close at hand and help was rendered by British,
German, Japanese and Norwegian vessels.
Three British frigates and a U.S. destroyer, sent parties on board and were able
to get the fire under control. The DARA was then taken in tow by the Glasgow
salvage vessel OCEAN SALVOR, but sank three miles off Dubai at 9.20 a.m. on
April 10th.
The loss of life was very heavy, 238 being burned or drowned. The remainder,
many of whom were suffering from burns and other injuries, were landed at
Bahrain a few days later. Capt. Elson was among the survivors.
Although terrorism was suspected, no forensic evidence could prove that this was
the case.
Previous update by Paul Strathdee
Photo supplied by Paul Strathdee collection
Last updated: by Bruce Biddulph from the original records by Stuart Cameron