Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter written by Mr Rampersaud Tiwari which was published in Stabroek News on Saturday, January, 21 (‘MV Malali amd MV Torani were built during Jagan’s government not Burnham’s’). In his letter he quite correctly stated that the MV Makouria and MV Torani were not acquired during Mr LFS Burnham’s time but rather during Dr CB Jagan’s time. He however went on to state that both MV Makouria and MV Malali were constructed in the United Kingdom. This is incorrect.
Only MV Makouria of the three vessels in question was constructed in the United Kingdom. For the purpose of setting the record straight for public knowledge I wish to state the following: (1) MV Makouria was constructed by Ferguson Shipbuilders, Yard No 428, Port Glasgow in 1959; she was actually launched on July 23, 1959, and towed to Guyana (BG). (2) MV Torani was constructed by Messrs Sprostons Ltd. The keel was laid on July 31, 1958, using the drawings of the Makouria.
This vessel was handed over to the Transport & Harbours Department in October of 1960. (3) MV Malali was not constructed in the United Kingdom, but in Guyana (BG) by Messrs Sprostons Ltd, again using the drawings of the previous vessels with alterations to its superstructure in order to provide accommodation for a live-aboard crew. The keel was laid on May 31, 1961.
Yours faithfully,
Captain R E W Adams
