La Concepcion

The Conception began its life in 1952 as the coastal freighter Marie Christine. Originally a Dutch coaster, it measured 164 feet in length, 26 feet in breadth, and had a gross displacement of 390 tons. Over the years, the vessel underwent several name changes: in 1966, it became Coria; in 1976, it was sold to a Panamanian company and renamed Paulrich Trader; briefly in 1982, it reverted to the name Coria; in 1983, it was known as M-Notte; after being sold to a Honduran owner in 1987, it sailed as Lady Barbara; and finally, in 1989, it was renamed Conception or La Concepcion. In early 1991, the Honduran freighter Conception became a fixture on trendy South Beach for over two months. Laden with trucks, bicycles, rice, beans, and other cargo, it was en route to Haiti when engine problems forced it to drop anchor off Miami. Despite nearly two weeks of repair efforts by the crew, strong winds and high seas battered the crippled ship on February 3, causing the anchor to give way and the freighter to wash up on the beach.