R.A. Sweet

      The motor ship Somerset Coast was built on the Clyde, by Clelands of Wallsend, for Coast Lines Ltd., who subsequently took over the ship in August 1958 to carry bulk cargoes, mostly coal, from the north of England to the south coast.
      On 19.5.59, the M.S. Somerset Coast became the M.S. Richmond Queen, when it was transferred to the Tramping fleet of the Queen-ship Navigation Company.
      Six years later, on 20.10.65 it changed hands again and became the property of the Britton Steam-ship Company, still carrying bulk cargoes around the coast of Great Britain.
      Then early in 1968 it was sold again to its present owners. The Esk Glen Shipping Company, who are at this moment using it to carry coal from Blyth and Goole down to Plymouth, for the Plymouth Coal Company. On the return journey, it carries London stone to the north.
      The number of crew members can vary between 14-16 officers and men of the Merchant Navy.
      The Richmond Queen's home port could be said to be London, as that is the port it was registered at, although it rarely enters the Port of London Authority waters; it is registered at Lloyds, the No. being 187194.
      This medium draught coaster, as shown on the plans, is still in its original colours of Coast Lines Ltd.; although only a slight alteration is required to bring the paint work up to date. The funnel still maintains its black background, the white open 'V' band has been removed and replaced by the letters E.S.K. in white. The remainder of the ship is identical to that shown on the plans.
      Thanks go to the Marine department of Coast Lines Ltd. and to the Esk Glenn Shipping Company for help in the compilation of this information for the benefit of scale modellers.