Scottish Star: The Scottish Star was a 10,174 GRT refrigerated cargo ship built by Fairfield Govan, Yard No. 747 for the Blue Star Line Ltd., London. She was 154.1 meters in length, 21.4 meters in beam, and 10 meters in draught. Launched 15 May 1950, and completed the following December, she had twin Doxford 5-cylinder oil engines which generated 11,600 bhp to two propellers for a speed of 15.5 knots. The Scottish Star is best known as being one of the 14 ships trapped in the Great Bitter Lakes during the Six Day War. This group of ships became known as the Yellow Fleet and were trapped in the Suez Canal for 8 years, 3 months, and 5 days. The name Yellow Fleet was given to the fleet of ships trapped in the canal due to the build up of desert sand and dust, giving the ships a yellowish color. On 18 May 1967 the Scottish Star departed Freemantle, Australia for the UK with a cargo of apples, bales of wool, and Jarrah Timber. While transiting the Suez Canal on 06 June 1967, the ship became trapped in the Suez Canal, Great Bitter Lake, with 13 other ships as a result of blockships having been sunk at both ends of the canal by the Egyptian military. Initially the ship was fully manned and refrigeration systems were fully maintained, with the cargo of apples being maintained at normal carraige temperatures. Eventually the cargo had to be frozen. Over time, difficulties were experienced in maintaining ship's power due to marine growth throughout the ship's cooling water systems, which required constant cleaning. On 15 September 1969, over two years after being trapped in the Canal, the ship was declared a constructive total loss and abandoned to insurers, Standard Steamship Owner's Mutual War Risks Association Ltd., London,and her crew departed the ship. Sold in 1970 to Scottish Star Ltd., London while still trapped in the Great Bitter Lake. 30 May 1975, with the canal now navigable, the Scottish Star is towed to Port Said, arriving later that same day. Departed Port Said, complete with cargo, in August 1975 for Defteron Corporation (Gourdomichalis Maritime S.A., managers), Greece where she is renamed Kavo Yerakus. Towed to Piraeus, Greece where her cargo is offloaded and the ship is placed in lay-up from 06 September 1975 until 25 June 1979, when she is sold to shipbreakers in La Spezia and broken up the following month. References: Miramar Single Ship Report for 5315890 http://www.bluestarline.org/scottish2.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Fleet http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=1058