Second World War Losses and Replacements

Part Two – Post-War

At the end of the war the company had the following vessels left from 1939, Bridgepool, Cragpool, Danby, Drakepool, Domby, Gullpool, Moorby, Seapool, Stagpool, Wearpool, and Yearby.

Bridgepool

4,803 gross tons. Built by Smiths Dock Middlesbrough in 1928.

1946 sold to Ford S.S. Co. renamed Wansford. In 1950 she was sold to Egypt and renamed Ramses II. In 1951 she was wrecked off Sharpness.

Cragpool

5,127 gross tons. Built Cowpen Dry Docks S.B. Co., Blyth in 1928.

Sold in 1947 and handed over to Leandros Shipping at Manchester on 18th August and renamed Leandros. In 1950 she was purchased by Acropolis Shipping and renamed Acropolis. In 1960 she was scrapped at Hong Kong.

Danby

4,258 Gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool in 1937.

Sold 1952 and handed over to Spanish owners Yllera on 3rd September at Manchester and renamed Astro. In 1971 she became Gopegui of Cadagua Shipping. In 1976 she was scrapped at Gijon.

Drakepool

4,838 gross tons. Built by Ropner Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Stockton on Tees 1924.

She was sold to Kenfig S.S. Co. in 1946 and renamed San Anthony. In 1951 she was sold to Hashimoto Kisen KK and renamed Kinugasa Maru. In November 1951 she sank off Japan while on a voyage from Nanaimo to Yokohama with Iron Ore.

Domby

5,582 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co. West Hartlepool in 1932.

In 1951 she was sold to British Empire Steel Products Co. and renamed Cibou and handed over at Middlesbrough on 10th May. In 1955 she became Caledonia II of Finnish company Ab Caledonia SS Co Oy, and in 1956 she became Peter of Lovisa Rederi Ab. In 1960 she was sold to Cie Miniere et Metallurgique SA of Lebanon and renamed Kettara V. On 25.9.60 she arrived at Tokyo for demolition.

Gullpool

4,870 gross tons. Built by Cowpen Drydock and Shipbuilding Co., Blyth in 1928.

In 1950 she was sold and handed over at Middlesbrough on the 2nd January 1950 to G. Malvicini, Genoa and renamed San Felice. In 1959 they renamed her Santo Emilio. In 1959 she was scrapped arriving at Osaka on 4.6.59 for demolition.

Moorby

4,992 gross tons. Built by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Sunderland in 1936.

In 1948 she was sold to the McCowen & Gross and handed over at Avonmouth on the 15th September and renamed Moorcroft. In 1951 she moved to Power S.S. Co. and renamed Huntsfield. In 1955 she was sold to Mollers as Elbow River. In 1966 she was scrapped at Hong Kong.

Seapool

4,820 gross tons. Built by Burntisland Shipbuilding in 1940.

In 1951 she was sold to Hamburg-Amerika Linie and renamed Grunewald, and in 1953 she became Esther Schulte of Schulte & Bruns Schiff. In 1962 she was broken up at Hamburg.

Stagpool

4,560 gross tons. Built by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Sunderland in 1930.

Completed as Iron Chief in 1930 and purchased by Ropners in 1935 and renamed Stagpool.

In 1950 she was sold to A.G. Tsavliras Ltd., handed over on 20th December and renamed Granny Suzanne. In 1954 she became Carmen of Cia. De Nav. San Tocco. On 13th June 1963 she was involved in a multiple collision on a foggy day in the Straits of Dover. First Carmen, with a cargo of bauxite, was struck by Turkish SS Sadikzade. Next the Turkish ship struck Greek MS Leandros, which, when trying to evade her, ran into British tanker Clyde Sergeant. Carmen sank with the loss of 2 men. The other ships involved made it to port.

Wearpool

4,982 gross tons. Built Wm. Doxford & Sons at Sunderland in 1936.

In 1954 she was sold to R. Kallstrom and handed over to her new owners at Liverpool on 9th September and renamed Adelso. In 1964 she became Lefkipos, owned by M. Scufalos. In 1971 she was sold to G. Eleftheriou as Dimitros. On 20.10.79 demolition commenced at La Spezia.

Yearby

5,666 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool in 1929.

In 1950 sold to Alberto Ravano fu Pietro and handed over to new owners on 26th October at Manchester and renamed Bonitas. On 19.2.1958 she foundered 120 miles off Cape Lookout, whilst on passage from Macapa to Baltimore with a cargo of ore.

Many of these ships were either over or nearing 20 years of age and due to arduous war service were nearing the end of their lives. The company also managed a variety of ships on behalf of the Ministry of War Transport, and the opportunity was taken to purchase some of these vessels, or others like them.

These included;

6 Standard built Empire ships, 1 older/managed Empire ship built in 1919, and 1 Empire ship taken over as a War Prize. 6 Standard built Ocean ships. 3 U.S. built Liberty Ships.

A total of 17 vessels.

The Ships

Ministry of War Transport name followed by Ropner name

Empire Clarion – Cedarpool

7,031 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Company, West Hartlepool and completed in 1942. She was taken over at Singapore on the 12th June 1946.

On the 23rd February 1950 she struck a submerged object leaving Nanaimo and sustained rudder damage requiring repairs at Esquimalt.

She was converted to oil fuel at South Bank, Middlesbrough between June and September 1950.

The vessel ended her life in the Ropner Fleet being scrapped at Hamburg in 1959.

Empire Cabot – Clearpool

6,715 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool in 1941. Taken over at Greenock on the 19th December 1945.

Converted to oil fuel at North Shields, conversion being completed on 20th July 1950.

In July 1954 a proposed sale to new owners fell through, and it was not until the following year that she was sold, becoming the Gralmarian, transferring to new owners Cardigan Shipping Co. on the 8th February 1955.

She became Rachel owned by Bowring & Curry in 1959 before being scrapped in Hong Kong the same year.

Empire Lionel – Levenpool

7,030 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool being completed in 1942 and taken over at Middlesbrough on the 4th October 1945.

She was converted to oil fuel at North Shields between May and 31st July 1950.

She ran aground on 10th June 1953 approaching Yampi, sustaining severe bottom damage that was not discovered until her arrival back in the U.K. Repairs at Sunderland lasted two months.

She was the last steamer in the Pool Shipping Company, and was sold in 1962 becoming the Newlane of Kantara Sg. Co., Cyprus in 1968. She was scrapped at Chittagong in 1969.

Empire Irving – Bellerby

7,071 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool being completed in 1944. The ship was provisionally purchased in April 1946 and taken over in the Far East at Madras. The sale however was not completed until the vessel arrived back in the U.K.

Converted to oil fuel at North Shields between 25.10.52 and 16.1.53.

In 1960 she was sold Iranian Lloyd and renamed Persian Cambyssis. In 1964 she became Iranian Trader of Iranian Shipping Lines and in 1964 they renamed her Shiraz. In 1970 she joined E. Matrood & Essa Zeers Bayrainis as Sayhet before scrapped in 1972 at Gadani Beach.

Empire Sunbeam – Swainby

6,711 gross tons. Built by Wm. Gray & Co., Hartlepool and completed in 1941. Taken over at Cardiff on 8th October 1945.

On 15th February 1950 the steamer Lake Winnipeg collided with the vessel at Balboa causing severe damage to the bow of Swainby.

She was converted to oil fuel at South Bank, Middlesbrough the conversion being completed on 15th July 1950.

She grounded on 29th April 1955 in Macareo River proceeding from Guairia for Mobile. Dry-docked in Mobile where extensive damage was found. She was in dry dock for 12 days the repair costing $85,000.

The last steamer of the Ropner Shipping Company she was sold in 1962 to Trafalgar Shipping Co., London and renamed Newgate. In 1967 her ownership was changed to Kantana Sg., Cyprus and in 1969 to the Newgate Shipping Co. (all the same group). She was scrapped in 1971 at Istanbul.

Levenpool and Swainby were sold together to the Tsavliris (Shipping) Ltd., for their Trafalgar S.S. Co. Ltd., under the U.K. flag. They were transferred within the group to the Kantara Shipping Co. Ltd., to fly the Cypriot flag and again to a single ship company (Newlane and Newgate Cos.) until scrapped.

It will be seen that the above five vessels were all built by Wm. Gray & Co. of West Hartlepool, who also constructed many of the ships in the 1920s for Ropners. These ships served the company well, Swainby and Levenpool being the last two steamers owned by the company which they served well for 17 years, working along side the modern motor vessels, Romanby, Rushpool (1957), Wandby (1959) and Willowpool (1960).

They were replaced in the fleet by the bulk carriers Barlby and Bridgepool, both 1962.

Empire Tide – Thirlby

6,978 gross tons. Built by Lithgow, Port Glasgow and completed in 1941. This vessel was taken over at Avonmouth in October 1945 and being fitted with diesel engines it was not necessary to convert the ship from coal burning as with the other Standard Empire Ships in the fleet.

On the 1st October 1954 she collided with a dock wall at Middlesbrough sustaining considerable damage to her stern. Repairs lasted until 23rd October 1954.

In 1956 she was sold to Panamian owners Transportes Maritimos Atlas SA, becoming Guri. In 1963 she became Anto of Panamanian Oriental SS Corp. before being scrapped in 1966 in Ikeda, Japan.

Empire Mouflon – Preston

3,234 gross tons. Built by Hanlon Dry & Shipbuilding Co., in the U.S.A. and completed in 1919.

This ship was built towards the end of the First World War as the Memnon for the United States Shipping Board. She was taken over by the Ministry of War Transport in 1940 and renamed Empire Mouflon and placed under Ropner management.

She was purchased by Sir. R. Ropner & Co. Ltd. and taken over in London in April 1946. A new company The Preston S.S. Co. Ltd., was formed and were the nominal owners of the ship

She was put on time charter to Cunard and then to Furness Withy in the Mediterranean Trade.

Many of the ships that originated from the post First World War U.S. Fleet were often in poor condition, however on 21st June 1948 she was inspected at Barrow in Furness and described to be in excellent condition, both deck and engine, and looked like a yacht.

At the end of her Furness Charter on the 21st August 1950 she was transferred with the organisation to the Pool Shipping Company and put up for sale.

She was sold in November 1950 becoming the Advance of Avance Cia Maritima SA. In 1957 she became Avlis of Avlis Shipping Co. SA before being scrapped in June 1962 at Piraeus.

Empire Ely – Swiftpool

6,113 gross tons. Laid down at Lubeck in Germany in 1944 for the North German Lloyd Line being named Greifswald. She was seized by the Allies in 1945 and completed in 1948.

This vessel never actually carried the name Swiftpool under the Ropner Flag. She was a War Prize initially managed by Common Brothers of Newcastle on Tyne, but Ropners were give the option of buying her once the War Prize Court proceedings had been concluded. She was therefore provisionally purchased from the Ministry of Transport and the name Swiftpool was to be given once the sale had been confirmed.

The ship was taken over on charter, as Empire Ely, at Leith in March 1949 following repairs and was ready for sea on the 4th April 1949 under the command of Captain J. Elsdon.

Initially the company had high hopes for the ship but following a series of breakdowns and mishaps the purchase was not taken up. With a great deal of relief on the 1st May 1951 her management was handed over to Mackay, McIntyre and Co. of Glasgow, who in turn handed her over to Stott, Mann & Fleming of Newcastle upon Tyne.

She was sold by the Ministry in 1954 to Mariblanca Nav. SA and renamed Maribella becoming Ganges of PR Dampfer Ganges in 1955 and Eleni of Cia. de Nav. Andria SA in 1959 before being scrapped at Santander in 1972 following a collision with the Norwegian vessel Prinsesse Regnhild.

Ocean Fame- Firby

7,173 gross tons. Built by Todd Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland in 1942. Taken over July/August 1946.

She was converted to oil fuel in 1950. On 9th March 1950 she collided with the jetty at Whyalla causing extensive damage to the jetty, although the damage to the ship was slight.

On the 2nd April 1955 she was handed over to new owners, N.G. Kyriakides Shipping Co. Ltd. and renamed “Irene K”. In 1964 she became the “Winchester Queen” before being scrapped in 1966.

Ocean Vengeance – Ingleby

7,174 gross tons. Built by Todd California Iron S.B. Corporation, Richmond in 1942. Ownership of the vessel was confirmed in February 1947.

She was converted to burn oil fuel, the conversion being completed at North Shields on 20th February 1950.

She was sold to Chowgule Steamships Ltd. in 1960 becoming Maratha Enterprise, and in 1966 she became Welcome of Great Ocean SS Co. before being scrapped in 1969 in Kaohsiung.

Ocean Pride – Oakby

7,173 gross tons. Built by Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corporation, Portland and completed in 1942. Taken over at Melbourne in Australia on 13th July 1946 but ownership not finalised until February 1947 when she returned to the U.K. Conversion to oil fuel was completed in May 1950.

In 1959 she was sold to Pateras Shipbroker becoming the Erinio, and in 1964 she became Penelope L of G. & P. Lygnos. In 1965 she was sold to Litonjua & Co. as Susana K.L. and in 1966 she was abandoned at sea after a fire, the wreck later being scrapped at Kaohsiung.

Ocean Valour – Heronspool

7,174 gross tons. Built by Todd-California Iron S.B. Corp., Portland and completed in 1942. The ship was taken over in Australia on the 26th June 1946 and her ownership was confirmed in February 1947 but retained her ‘Ocean’ name until she returned to the U.K. in 1949 and was renamed Heronspool. She was converted to oil fuel in 1950.

On the 8th May 1947 she collided with the Clan Ranald at Suez being repaired there. Repairs were not completed until mid July 1947.

She was sold on the 26th February 1955 and handed over to new Italian owners, Achille Lauro, at Middlesbrough. She was fitted with Diesel engines by her new owners and renamed Liana before being scrapped in 1967 at La Spezia.

Ocean Pilgrim – Pikepool

7,178 gross tons. Built by Todd-Bath Iron S.B, Corp., Portland in 1942. Taken over in Australia at Newcastle New South Wales on 5th August 1946 and ownership was confirmed in February 1947.

Converted to oil fuel at North Shields, the conversion being completed in August 1950.

In 1959 she was sold to J. Livanos & Sons becoming Marigo, and in 1966 she became Amfitriti of Amfitriti Shipping. She was scrapped at Kaohsiung in 1967.

Ocean Vanity – Teespool

7,174 gross tons. Built by Todd-California Iron S.B. Corp. Richmond and completed in 1942. Taken over at Middlesbrough on 18th October 1946 and ownership confirmed in February 1947.

She was the first of the Standard ships to be converted to oil, this being carried out at Smith Dock, North Shields and completed in June 1949. During her period in dockyard hands, it was found necessary to carry out stiffening work to her hull that kept her in dock longer than expected.

She suffered a serious fire in a hold at Sydney New South Wales, on the 9th July 1952 that required dockyard repairs at a cost of £50,000. These repairs were completed on the 9th July 1952.

On the 7th October 1953 whilst in Hampton Roads she collided with the Black Point in heavy weather. She had to spend time in dry dock for 24 hours to replace hull plates.

She was sold to Wheelock Marden in 1960 becoming Wynn and in 1964 she became Golden Phoenix of C. Y. Tung before being scrapped at Onomichi in 1968.

Samlistar – Hurworth

7,238 gross tons. Built by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard Inc. Baltimore in 1944. Purchased by Sir R. Ropner and Co. Ltd. (the management company) and delivered at the end of May 1947.

She collided with and sank the Thames Sailing Barge Siesta on the 18th January 1948 in the Thames in bad weather.

She was transferred to the Ropner Shipping Company on 20th March 1950.

She went aground in St. Lawrence on 19th August 1950 and was in dry dock until 1st September 1950.

She was sold to Cia. de Nav. Zita SA of Costa Rica, and handed over to new owners on 20th August 1954 becoming Suerte

On 9th January 1962 she ran aground 15 miles east of Halifax N.S., Canada. On the 6th April the wreck was pulled off the rocks, and she was towed out to sea and scuttled.

Samtay – Rudby

7,219 gross tons. Built by Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, USA and completed in 1944. The vessel was taken over at Leith in September 1947.

She was sold in March 1952. However this sale fell through, as the ship missed her delivery date, and she was re-sold to Transmarina Cia. Naviera SA and handed over to new owners on 23rd June 1952 and renamed Thekla. She became Adamas of Esperanza Cia. Naviera SA in 1954 before being scrapped at Sakaide in 1968.

Samdart – Sedgepool

7,279 gross tons. Built by Southeastern S.B. Corp. Savannah and completed in 1944. She was taken over at Southampton on the 22nd August 1947. On 2nd December 1947 she was stranded off Provost Island, British Columbia suffering extensive bottom damage. She was towed to dry dock by the tug Chieftain where repairs lasted until 17th January 1948 and cost $80,000.

She collided with the Cunarder Parthia in the Ambrose Channel, New York in dense fog on the 15th March 1953. She sustained extensive damage to the superstructure and deck housing. Repairs took until 23rd March 1953.

She was handed over to her new owners, Tabor Shipping, on 27th August 1954 at Hull and renamed Bobara. In 1956 she became Flevfariotissa of Marinos & Frangos Ltd. In 1958 she was sold to Apiganos Corporation and renamed Kapetan Andreas, and in 1966 she joined Maractiva Cia. Naviera SA as Kitsa before being scrapped at Kaohsiung in 1967.

The three American Liberty Ships were all oil burners and they were the first of the Standard built ships to be sold, their early demise being due to the fall in freight rates in the early 1950s.

The ships owned by Sir R. Ropner & Co. Ltd. served Great Britain well both in war and peace. Along with the other British Shipping companies that lost so many fine ships and men, it is sad that the majority have now been consigned to history.