© 2014-2023 Offshore Radio Museum
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Former Name(s)
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Crocodile
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Description
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Concrete hulled French Navy supply vessel
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Length
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70’ (21.3m)
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Tonnage
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585 tons
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Built
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Flag state(s)
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Panama
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Stations Housed
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Radio Antwerpen
(12th October - 16th December 1962)
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Ultimate fate
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Ran aground 16th December 1962, lay as an abandoned wreck until being blown up in 1971.
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Top Right: Uilenspiegel on the slipway
Far right: Uilenspiegel is towed out of Antwerp Harbour, September 1962
Right: Uilenspiegel at Wilhelms Dock, Antwerp, undergoing conversion work, 1962
Above: views of the Uilenspiegel after she ran aground on Cadzand Beach - where she remained for over nine years.
After running aground in December 1962 the Uilenspiegel was left abandoned on Cadzand Beach. The ship was plundered by visitors and the wreck gradually sank into the sand.
By 1971 the ship was considered to be a public danger (a young boy had been seriously injured whilst climbing on the wreck) and it was blown up by the Dutch authorities.
However, the lower part of the hull was undamaged by the explosion . The hull gradually became covered by sand, although some parts were still visible until 2001 when the remains were covered with more sand by the local council in Sluis-Aardenburg.
Thanks to Martin van der Ven for allowing us to use some additional information from the Broadcasting Fleet section of the Offshore Radio Guide in this Gallery
