The winner of the January competition was AD Frost of Sunderland

Ronald Henderson writes:

The ship is North Shipping Company’s S.S. North Cornwall, built in 1924 by J. Readhead & Sons, South Shields. Captured by the Germans at Narvik 9.4.1940 and scuttled 15.4.1940. Salvaged and scrapped in June 1953 at Stavanger.

AD Frost writes:

January’s Unknown Ship is Hugh Roberts’ (North Shipping) ss North Devon, built in 1924 by J. Readhead. Sold in 1950 and renamed Agios Spyridon. In 1951 she sprang a leak whilst on a voyage from Huelva to Norresundby and abandoned. She was reboarded and taken to Brest for repairs. In 1956 she was renamed Theoforos, then renamed Lenko. Finally in 1958 she was renamed Ais Giannis and scrapped in Japan arriving on 15.5.60.

Peter Sommerville writes:

I think this month’s ship could be the North Devon (3,658 gt), built by J. Readhead & Son Ltd., South Shields in 1924 for North Shipping Co. Ltd. (Hugh Roberts & Sons, Newcastle). In 1941 she was bombed and damaged off Sheringham but repairs must have been carried out as she remained with North Shipping until sold in 1950 to G.D. Chalkias and renamed Aghios Spyridon under the Greek flag. She sprang a leak and abandoned by her crew in 1951 but was successfully towed to Brest for repairs. She was resold a few more times becoming the Theoforos in 1952, the Lenko in 1956 and finally the Ais Giannis in 1958 before being broken up at Yawata, Malaya in 1960.

Alan Blackwood writes:

This month’s ‘unknown’ is I believe the 3,658 grt tramp North Devon, the second and marginally smaller unit of an order for two non identical steamers placed during 1923 with John Readhead & Sons Ltd. of South Shields by Hugh Roberts & Son for their North Shipping Company Ltd. The pair were the first in the fleet to be given West Country names and registered at the NE port of Newcastle.

North Devon was completed during October 1924, had overall dimensions of 374’6″ x 50’0″ and a summer draught of 22’8″. Main propulsion consisted of one triple expansion engine and coal fired boiler constructed by her builder at South Shields to return a maximum speed of 10 knots.

During 5th July 1941 whilst off Sheringham on the Norfolk coast she was attacked by German bombers and severely damaged.

North Devon was sold out of the fleet during 1950 to George D. Chalkis of Chios when renamed Agios Spyridon for continued trading under the Greek flag. During 1951 she sprang a leak during a voyage from Huelva to Norresundby (a port city in the Danish region of Aalborg). She was abandoned by her crew, but later towed into Brest for repairs. She was resold during 1952 to the Campania Naviera Apostolpaul S.A. of Panama when renamed Theoforos and registered at Puerto Limon for operation under the flag of Costa Rica and management of Lemos & Patelas Ltd. of London.

During 1954 the vessel’s boiler furnace was converted to burn oil fuel. 1956 saw her further sale to the S. La Cruz Steam Shipping Corporation. S.A. of Panama when renamed Lenko under the management of the New Epirotiki Steamship Nav. of Piraeus, whilst retaining her PoR of Puerto Limon under the Costa Rican flag. She was further renamed Ais Giannis during 1958 when her ownership was transferred to the Campania Maritima Sapap Linitada, again retaining her PoR and Costa Rican flag operation and with management placed with N & J Vlasssopulos Ltd. of London. Later that year she was placed under the Greek flag. Finally sold to Japanese shipbreakers, she arrived at Yawata (Kyoto Prefecture) for demolition on 15th May 1960.

John Jordan writes:

I believe this old steamer belonged to North Steamship Company owned by Hugh Roberts. She is the SS North Devon (1), built in 1924 by John Readhead’s in South Shields. Her dimensions were 360ft x 50ft x 23.1ft at 3,658 GRT. Her triple expansion engine gave her 10knots on a NHP of 371. She was sold in 1950 to Greek interests and named Aghios Spyridon. In 1952 she was renamed Theoforos under new owners. In 1956 her owners became Potamianos Bros. and she was renamed Lenko. In 1958 she was acquired by Sapap and renamed Ais Giannis. In May 1960 she was broken up at Yawata, Malaysia.

Mike Goadby writes:

This month’s unknown ship is the 3,658grt cargo ship North Devon built by John Readhead & Co. Ltd., Newcastle, for The North Shipping Co. Ltd., (Hugh Roberts ). The vessel was powered by a 3cyl. steam engine (coal fired) which gave her a speed of 10 knots. She was sold to G.D. Chalkias and renamed Achios Spyridon in 1950. In 1951 she sprang a leak whilst on a voyage from Huelva to Norresunby and was abandoned, but was later reboarded and taken to Brest. She was bought by Cia. Naviera, Pureto Limon in 1952 and renamed Theoforos, and converted to oil fuel. In 1956 she was sold to La Cruz SS Co.,Puerto Limon and renamed Lenko. 1958 saw another change of ownership going to Cia Marittima, Sapap and renamed Ais Gianis. In 1960 she was transferred to the Panama registry. In 1960 she was broken up at Yawata Japan.