Universe Leader Type Tankers

Universe Leader, first of a new class of 85,000 deadweight ton tankers operated by Universe Tankships, a subsidiary of National Bulk Carriers. Built by National Bulk Carriers, Kure Shipbuilding Division, Kure, Japan in 1956.

S.S. Universe Leader was built by National Bulk Carriers, Kure Shipbuilding Division, Kure, Japan in 1956. The seven ships of this class again were the first of that size launched. They were indicative of the larger tankers that Ludwig continued to have designed and built. Much more pleasing to the eye, they had more graceful lines and abandoned the traditional Ludwig skinny smokestack. But true to form, they had no significant mast, a low after deckhouse and a fairly spartan and utilitarian navigation bridge, as Ludwig seldom put anything on his tankers that couldn’t carry oil.

Universe Leader and her sisters had three longitudinal bulkheads, producing four rows of 13 tanks each – 52 tanks total. The center tanks could carry 13,000 barrels each (546,000 US gallons) while the wing tanks carried 9,000 barrels each (378,000 US gallons). These ships carried a complement of 50 officers and crew. Propulsion was provided by 19,250 horsepower GE steam turbines geared to a single screw, giving a service speed of 14.5 knots.

ShipHull#BuiltGRTDWTLengthBeamComments
Universe Leader39195651,40085,515854’9″125’3″Another record setting large tanker.
Universe Commander40195751,39885,618854’9″125’3″
Universe Challenger46195751,32185,596854’9″125’3″Renamed Frisia 1960.
Universe Admiral59195751,32085,564854’9″125’3″
Harold H. Helm63195851,32085,592854’9″125’3″
George Champion64195851,32085,539854’9″125’3″
Universe Defiance65195851,32085,548854’9″125’3″

Universe Leader Tanker Photo Gallery

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