An exclusive from the diary of our salty S(h)ipping Reporter, the only one north of Coffin Bay .
A sleek ship, looking like a stretched out greyhound , attracted the attention of ferry passengers in Townsville , but did not rate a mention by the local media . It is operated by KGJS Cement Holdings, of Norway , a shipping company which owns and manages the world's largest pneumatic cement carrier fleet. The vessel in port, named Capri Cement , sailing under the Bahamas flag , used compressed air to discharge dry cement in bulk , with built in dust collectors to protect the environment . Built in 1985 , it was converted in China in 2002 , is 129.5 metres long, with a beam of 20 metres.
Our waterfront roundsman associated Capri with the famous British singer Gracie Fields , not cement . She retired to the Isle of Capri , where she died . During WWll , Gracie entertained troops , including in New Guinea . One of her hit songs was Sally , made into another called Sally in our Alley in a film she made in the l930s.
The Little Darwin cluttered den includes a Sally in our Alley jug bought at a garage sale .
Our waterfront roundsman associated Capri with the famous British singer Gracie Fields , not cement . She retired to the Isle of Capri , where she died . During WWll , Gracie entertained troops , including in New Guinea . One of her hit songs was Sally , made into another called Sally in our Alley in a film she made in the l930s.
The Little Darwin cluttered den includes a Sally in our Alley jug bought at a garage sale .
Is the cement unloaded in port needed for the construction of Townsville's stadium, solar and wind farms , mining expansion ?
Across the way from Capri Cement was PAN Bonita , a bulk carrier , sailing under the Marshall Islands flag , 189 metres by 30 metres .
In recent weeks, the result of nature's awesome annual event , coral spawning , has been visible on the sea surface , swirls seen about Magnetic Island in rock pools and in the wider Cleveland Bay. Dolphins have also been sighted near the breakwater entrance to Townsville .
