MV Ross Revenge Trivia Quiz

Answer: MS Freyr

These ships were all built as 'sister' ships with very similar specifications. They were built by SeeBeckWerft (shipyard), Rudolf Schultze GmbH (electrical switchgear), Deutz AG (DC power generation), and Werkspoor NV (Werkspoor main engine).

Her design included many features including a stronger bow for ice-breaking, and trawling setups for both port and starboard.

Answer: Ross Trawlers Ltd

The company was started in 1920 as Thomas Ross Ltd. Their main business was fishing. It was taken over by his son, John (Carl) Ross in 1929. He remained until 1965, growing the business by diversifying into other food operations until eventually the trawlers would become one of the smallest segments of the business.

Answer: 200 nautical miles

Though UK fishermen had long been fishing in the waters around Iceland, the expansion of Iceland's territorial waters became known as the 'cod wars'. In 1952 Iceland extended their territory from 3 to 4 nautical miles. In 1958 the territory was extended from 4 to 12 nautical miles. The territory was again expanded in 1972 from 12 to 50 nautical miles. The Third Cod War would begin in 1975 when Iceland increased their territorial boundary from 50 to 200 nautical miles.

Each of these increases brought protests both politically and from the fishermen. On the seas both sides escalated their actions. Ships were rammed, nets were cut, and shots were fired. Once agreement had been reached, Iceland gained the 200 nautical miles of fishing territory, but thousands of UK workers would lose their fishing-related jobs.

Answer: Ronan O'Rahilly

Radio Caroline had begun broadcasting 'pirate' radio in 1964 from MV Fredericia (renamed MV Caroline). In 1980 it was being broadcast from MV Mi Amigo when the ship lost anchorage and sank. MV Ross Revenge was refitted and broadcasting resumed in 1983.

Answer: 300ft (91m)

The mast required an enormous amount of ballast, and hundreds of tons of concrete were used (reports vary on the amount). Because the ship was broadcasting 'illegal' radio, it needed to stay in international waters or be impounded by authorities. In 1987 two hurricanes caused extensive damage to the ship, the second one caused the mast to collapse.

Answer: Radio Monique

The ship MV Magda Maria was planned to broadcast Radio Monique and Radio Paradijs, but the ship lost part of the aerial and was unable to broadcast. An agreement was made with Radio Caroline's owner to rent airtime. This was a huge boost to Radio Caroline as it brought in additional funds. Radio Monique was broadcast from MV Ross Revenge until late 1987.

Answer: MV Communicator

The UK government had passed the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act in 1967 to make the pirate radio stations illegal. This also meant that the smaller ships bringing supplies were operating illegally.

Signs had been posted saying that "It is illegal to carry goods or persons to or from Pirate Broadcasting Stations". The UK Department of Trade and Industry chartered the Dioptric Surveyor to monitor both ships. Though the radio ships survived between August and November, on November 6 the MV Communicator went into port and was impounded. The monitoring ceased shortly thereafter.

Answer: Yes

The Dutch Police and the Dutch Radio Regulatory Department were represented on the Dutch tug Volans, as were folk from the UK Department of Trade & Industry. The MV Ross Revenge was boarded and the broadcast stopped. Much of the equipment was taken, but much was simply vandalized.

Radio Caroline was back on the air on low power by October 1.

Answer: Goodwin Sands

The crew were eventually safely lifted off the ship by helicopter. The following day a tug was able to pull MV Ross Revenge from the sandbar and she was taken to the Port of Dover. The ship was promptly impounded and after surveyors checked her over, a Detention Order was issued by the Department of Transport and Industry.

Answer: Caroline Support Group

Much work has been done on the ship, and in 2017 she was added to the UK National Historic Ships register. She is still home to Radio Caroline, now operating legally on the internet and with a frequency officially assigned by Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator.