maritiem
1st March 2012, 10:36
HUNTING
Part one History
Charles Samuel Hunting came ashore after serving a seagoing apprenticeship in 1874 to learn about the operation and management of tramp shipping in a shipbroker's office. His father Charles Hunting, a Newcastle businessman of 51 years of age who had originally hailed from the Suffolk market town of Saxmundham, then purchased two wooden sailing ships, SYLVIA and GENII, for a total of £16,375 and set up his son in partnership with the shipbroker W. J. Pattison. Their first office was at 38, Newcastle Quayside and with Mr. Pattison's expertise in the chartering of ships SYLVIA was chartered on the North Atlantic run and GENII to India. They made such good profits that after only three years Hunting & Pattison took over the management of a new iron steamer from Charles Mitchell at his yard at Low Walker, JOSEPH FERRENS of 2600 dwt costing £28,000. The wife of her namesake had launched the tramp on 9th October,1877 and her husband held the largest number of 64ths shares. The ship was square rigged on the foremast for which she carried two sets of sails. However she was lost on lst December,1879 in a gale 100 miles West of Ushant while on a voyage from the Tyne to Lisbon with coal.
The two sailing ships were sold in 1879 and 1881, and were replaced by five iron tramps: YOXFORD, WHEATFIELD, GLEADOWE, R.F. MATTHEWS and the second JOSEPH FERRENS. This latter ship fared no better, being wrecked to the North of Cape St. Vincent while carrying coal from Newport to Palermo in 1886. YOXFORD sailed from the Tyne on her maiden voyage on 31st July,1878 to New York and foundered on the return leg while bound for Havre. WHEAT¬FIELD stranded in fog at Blackgang Chine, Isle of Wight while on passage from New York to Leith with general cargo on New Years Eve, 1882. The only one of the iron tramps to give any length of service to the company was R.F. MATTHEWS, which after 34 years service was sold to Italian and Turkish owners to give another 16 years service and she was scrapped in 1928.
Altogether a total of 14 dry cargo tramps and one bulk oil tanker were added to the company in the first twenty years by Charles Samuel Hunting. The second YOXFORD continued the run of bad luck when she stranded on the Dutch coast in bad weather in 1889. Refloated, she resumed service in 1891 before being finally wrecked on 8th January,1896 on Alcranes Reef in the Gulf of Mexico while on a voyage from Port Limon in Costa Rica to Veracruz in Mexico with a cargo of marble and wine. LISNACRIEVE and SAXMUNDHAM followed in 1883, SAXMUNDHAM was lost in collision five years later to the South of the Isle of Wight while carrying coal and coke from the Tyne to Ancona. LINDA of 3700 dwt and completed in 1887 was the first triple expansion powered tramp for the company and she gave the high speed for the time of 12 knots on trials. DORA FOSTER, WESTHALL and ETHERLY joined the fleet in 1889, all on the 64ths principle with their names indicating the major shareholder.
In 1891 the partnership of Hunting & Pattison was dissolved, and Charles Hunting joined his son in the business which was known as Hunting & Son. The elder Charles brought many new and influential men to the company and in 1893 he was able to found the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co. Ltd with James Duffield as first Chairman. Financial help from Duffield, originally a Staffordshire miner who was later to become Mayor of his adopted town of Workington three times, led to the ordering of the first tanker in 1889. Her design took three years to perfect and she was not laid down until 31st May,1893. She was fitted with electric lighting and her crew accomodation was a big advance over other tankers of the time. on 9th December,1893 DUFFIELD of 5000 dwt was launched and she carried 2000 more tons of oil than GLUCKAUF, the first bulk oil tanker in the world and launched in July, 1886. She was the first tanker built by Tyne Iron SB and reached a speed of 11 knots on trials with triple expansion engines supplied by Wallsend Slipway. Her trading performance was good and three sisters were ordered from the same yard: AUREOLE, OILFIELD and BLOOMFIELD. The 'field' suffix was by now becoming well established and was to continue as the company nomenclature.
The chartering of the tankers was left to Edward Aisbit Gibson, founder of the Gibson chartering brokers and friend and business associate of Charles Samuel Hunting. The two men travelled together to North America and the Russian Black Sea fields to study the oil trades. E. A. Gibson & Co. was finally purchased by Hunting from the son of the founder in 1925 to become Hunting Gibson Ltd. DUFFIELD was sold in 1901 to the Anglo American Oil Company (fore runner of British ESSO), who purchased her to study the practicalities of tankers and she was renamed APPALACHEE. She had a very long life of over 50 years, being sold to Italy in 1926 and scuttled by retreating Germans in the Gironde in 1944.
A long term management contract was signed with two Frenchmen, Fenaille & Despeaux, to manage two tankers to trade across the Atlantic from the U.S.A. oilfields to their refinery at Rouen. SAXOLEINE of 5000 dwt was completed in September, 1899 at the Armstrong, Whitworth yard in Newcastle and joined by PETROLEINE of 6000 dwt in July, 1908 from the Tyne Iron yard. The management contract ran from 1899 to 1928, and the pair were constructed to carry grain or similar dry bulk cargoes when no oil was available by having their tank lid coamings rivetted to a large steel hatch cover, which could be removed for loading and discharging dry cargoes. Another venture in oil which did not turn out so well was with a Russian called Dvorkovitz who claimed to have large oil interests at Baku. Charles Samuel Hunting set up two companies and ordered a small tanker, MINOCO completed in 1898 by Tyne Iron, and built a refinery to handle the oil at Silvertown on the Thames. Unfortunately no oil was ever received and MINOCO was sold in 1901 to Anglo American and became the first ever oil tanker on the Great Lakes of Canada.
Dry cargo tramps were also being added to the fleet, some to one ship limited liability companies and some under the 64ths principle. At the turn of the century the fleet numbered 13 tramps, of which six were oil tankers. In 1906 delivery was taken of two Doxford 'Turrets' of 6600 dwt, DUFFIELD and GARFIELD, their unusual shape allowing savings in Suez Canal tolls on their frequent voyages through with grain, and they were to be the last dry cargo tramps owned by Hunting. On 20th March,1914 the Hunting Steamship Co. Ltd was formed and all ships operating under the 64ths principle transferred to it with Hunting & Son as managers. At the outbreak of WW1 the fleet consisted of six tankers:
OILFIELD
SAXOLEINE
BLOOMFIELD
PETROLEINE
CLEARFIELD
AUREOLE
and the two Turrets:
DUFFIELD
GARFIELD.
Two of the above were torpedoed and sunk with two others badly damaged and a purchased small tanker ARTESIA was also lost, together with the Turret GARFIELD.
24.10.1916 CLEARFIELD Torpedoed and sunk off Flannan Is,Outer Hebrides, o.v. Invergordon to Hampton Roads in ballast, 36 lost.
15.1.1917 GARFIELD Torpedoed and sunk 60 miles NE by N ½ N of Alexandria o.v. Malta to Port Said with coal.
8.2.1918 ARTESIA Captured 190 miles NE of Madeira o.v. Cette to New York in ballast and sunk by bombs six days later.
16.3.1918 OILFIELD Torpedoed and damaged 15 miles NW of Cape Wrath o.v. Grangemouth & Methil to New York in ballast, beached & refloated, but became a total loss.
AUREOLE was so badly damaged by torpedoing in the Little Minch in November,1917 that she had to be almost completely rebuilt. PETROLEINE was carrying a cargo of benzine (petrol) from New York to Havre when a time bomb placed in the forward dry cargo hold exploded off Cherbourg, killing 11 crew in the fo'c'stle. She was so badly damaged that a complete new bow had to be built. Repaired, she was then attacked in March,1918 by a U boat while returning from Rouen to New York having called at Plymouth for coal bunkers. So urgent was the need of petrol in France at that time that tankers were not made gas free when empty, and the slightest spark meant doom for the ship and crew. The convoy had dispersed at 15 degrees W. when two gunfire shots were heard and two splashes landed alongside the tanker. Capt. Lowe and the officers were on the bridge taking noon sights and the U boat was sighted two points on the starboard beam. She was firing two guns, one forward and one aft, and her shells soon straddled the tanker with several near misses under the stern, drenching the 4" gun crew. unfortunately, the attack happened at the change of watches and the head of steam was not at its best, but the Chief Engineer and his three engineers fired the furnaces and PETROLEINE was soon going faster than she had ever done on trials, An irregular zig zag was steered to put the U boat off target and gradually the distance between them increased and PETROLEINE escaped, having had over 100 shells fired at her.
The company managed seven WAR class fleet tankers for the Government from the end of the war, three of them remaining under management until 1937/38. Charles Samuel Hunting died in 1921 and was succeeded by his sons Percy and Lindsay. The fleet at the time was the owned tanker BLOOMFIELD and Turret DUFFIELD, and the managed tankers SAXOLEINE and PETROLEINE, which remained managed until sold in 1928 and 1925 respectively. DUFFIELD was also sold off in 1925 and the company became Purely operators of tramp tankers. Four tankers of around 8000 dwt were completed between 1923 and 1925 , two from Tyne Iron SB (OILFIELD, WELLFIELD) and two from James Laing at Sunderland (SYLVAFIELD, TYNEFIELD) at a cost of around £300,000 each.
OILFIELD was a steamer with oil burning, super heated geared turbines linked to a single screw, and was the first tanker built for the company on the Isherwood system of longitudinal framing for additional strength. WELLFIELD was the first motor tanker in the company fleet and the only twin screw vessel ever owned. She was badly damaged.by a grounding at the entrance to the Bosphorus in February,1931 but was refloated and brought back to the Tyne for repairs, and the opportunity was taken to lengthen her by 24 feet and add another tank while at Smiths Dock. Co. Ltd, North Shields. SYLVAFIELD and TYNEFIELD were completed with 4 cyl. two stroke cycle single acting Doxford oil engines, and were on charter for many years to the Anglo American Oil Co. Ltd. These were unusual annually renewed voyage charters. They had a fixed freight rate for as many North Atlantic voyages as they could make in 12 months. The charterers owned several motor tankers which experienced engine trouble at this time, but the trouble free Newcastle pair decided them to have Doxford engined tankers later.
TYNEFIELD experienced two hurricanes and two storms in December,1929 on the N. Atlantic and she heaved to on all four occasions. She was bound from Baytown in Texas to Barrow with light oils when the barometer suddenly dipped to a very low 27.9". Course was altered to bring the wind on the port bow and speed was reduced, the action of the right handed propeller tending to keep her head up to the wind and sea. At 7 a.m. the wind had reached hurricane force and the bow was completely obscured by spindrift. A series of squalls then assaulted the ship with the seas built up into mountainous walls of water which hit her with such force that her head was thrown six points off the wind. Fortunately after each squall the terrific force of the wind flattened out the sea, and her head was returned to two points off the wind before the next squall hit. These continued until 1700 hours, smashing the port lifeboat to matchsticks, with the midships bridge structure badly damaged and dented. Similar action was taken on the three succeeding gales, and as she was a reporting ship for the American Hydrographic Weather Bureau her warnings to steer clear of the danger area saved many ships, although several distress calls were heard. on arrival, she missed the spring tides at Barrow and had to spend another week at anchor to the north of the Isle of Man.
in 1928 a large tanker of 15760 dwt, GRETAFIELD, was delivered by Cammell, Laird & Co. Ltd. She was one of the first tankers to be built with two fore and aft bulkheads dividing the cross section of the ship into three tanks, previous tankers only having one fore and aft bulkhead in the centre of the ship. She was on time charter to United Molasses for the first three years of her life to carry molasses from Java to the U.K. CLYDEFIELD of 9634 dwt was delivered on the Clyde during the same year of 1928, but was lengthened 30 feet in 1935 by Smiths Dock Co. Ltd, North Shields to increase her dwt to 10825 tons. She had laid up with most of the company fleet at Lamlash Bay on the Isle of Arran between 1930 and 1932, but the worst was over for tankers by then and the whole fleet was back at sea in 1933.
Three new tankers of 12000 dwt joined the fleet in 1938/39 from Scandinavian yards: OILFIELD, DUFFIELD and PONTFIELD, the latter having to be sailed through the German blockade of the Skagerrak in October,1939 to be delivered via Bergen. These three and the WELLFIELD, SYLVAFIELD, TYNEFIELD, GRETAFIELD and CLYDEFIELD plus the small coastal tanker CREOFIELD formed the war time fleet with the losses being:
1.2.1940 CREOFIELD Mined off Yarmouth o.v. Southend to Tees with the loss of all hands.
14.2.1940 GRETAFIELD Torpedoed and sunk off Wick o.v. Curacao to Invergordon with fuel oil, 11 lost.
9.4.1941 DUFFIELD Torpedoed and sunk to SW of Madeira o.v. Curacao to Gibraltar with fuel oil, 25 lost.
28.4.1941 OILFIELD Torpedoed an sunk to S of Iceland o.v. Aruba to London with fuel oil, 47 lost.
4.6.1941 WELLFIELD Torpedoed and sunk in N. Atlantic o.v. Liverpool to Curacao in ballast, 8 lost.
5.10.1941 TYNEFIELD Mined in the Suez Canal and broke in two o.v. Abadan to Suez with diesel oil.
The horrendous end of OILFIELD proved the point that the U boats always attacked the easiest prey; the tankers. She had sailed from Halifax in an east bound convoy of 50 ships and was second ship in the outside column on the port side. All went well until 28th April when approaching Rockall a ship was torpedoed in the middle of the convoy, and began to settle and was left behind with a destroyer escort. Two hours later at 1730 hours OILFIELD was torpedoed and became a roaring yellow and orange mass of flame in a few minutes. Six men were left standing on the only 20 feet of the ship that was not enveloped; the fo'c'stle; and they were surrounded on three sides by a fast approaching sea of flame. A trawler tried to back in to save them, but it was an impossible task even if she had released her stern depth charges in time, however she managed to pick five of the six men from the water they were the only survivors from a crew of 52. Her master had been Capt. L.A. Anderson, Commodore of Hunting and master of the company tanker that accompanied H.M.S. REPULSE on tour with the Prince of Wales several years earlier.
The 11 dead in the blazing wreck of GRETAFIELD which drifted ashore near Wick were all from Wick and were buried in their own graveyard. DUFFIELD under Capt. Manthorpe had been proceeding from Curacao to Gibraltar with fuel oil for the Admiralty, zig zagging at 12 knots when she was torpedoed on the port side. No one was injured and she could still make 12 knots, and she shelled the U boat after it surfaced astern. At 2300 hours the tanker was mortally hit by four more torpedoes with two exploding in the engine room and DUFFIELD sank stern first extinguishing the burning oil as she sank. The 27 survivors in one lifeboat hoisted a sail and after eight and a half days the island of Hierro in the Canaries was sighted. They had only four gallons of water left and a Spanish sloop took them to Tenerife where Capt. Manthorpe spent seven weeks in hospital having treatment to
a badly injured left leg. The other 26 survivors went home after 10 days in Tenerife.
TYNEFIELD under Capt. Carr went out to Alexandria in January,1940 on station as a fleet oiler and carried diesel and heavy oil to destroyers,cruisers and battleships in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the siege of Tobruk she was used for the storage of fuel in that port until a direct hit from an Italian bomber damaged her and forced her to return to Alexandria in February, 1941. in October,1941 while returning from Abadan in convoy she struck a mine in the Suez Canal, and her stern was towed to Port Tewfik and abandoned as a total loss.
Miraculously CLYDEFIELD and the new PONTFIELD survived the onslaught, as did several Laing built tankers managed by the company. These were EMPIRE SILVER,EMPIRE MARVELL and EMPIRE CORAL which became SYLVAFIELD, BLOOMFIELD and DERWENTFIELD in 1945/46 alongside the similar war built WEARFIELD and THAMESFIELD.
The fleet was brought up to strength in 1947 with the purchase of two T2 types renamed OILFIELD and EDENFIELD.
A large expansion programme was commenced in 1950 with the first of ten British built tankers: 12400GT 18940 DWT
Harland & Wolff (2) LAGANFIELD,CLYDEFIELD.
Furness SB (2) WHEATFIELD,GRETAFIELD.
Hawthorn,Leslie (2) TYNEFIELD,FORTHFIELD.
W. Doxford (2) AVONFIELD,SYLVAFIELD.
Smiths Dock (1) DUFFIELD.
J. Laing (1) HUNTFIELD.
DUFFIELD and GRETAFIELD were converted into bulkers Smiths Dock Co. Ltd,North Shields in 1960. Seven of the ten had been sold by the end of 1966, with CLYDEFIELD sustaining heavy damage when fire broke out on 17th November,1964 while she was discharging at Cutuco in El Salvador, and being towed away for scrapping in Japan. The last delivered was FORTHFIELD in April, 1955 and she gave 20 years service before sustaining considerable bottom damage in a grounding on the Orinoco river on 27th January, 1975 and was scrapped at Burriana in Spain.
Two ore carriers, RIVER AFTON and DALHANNA, came under Hunting management in 1959 after their previous managers Campbells (Newcastle) Ltd had been acquired by the company. Sir Percy Hunting retired as Group Chairman in 1961 and his brother Lindsay took over as Chairman but one year later he became an invalid and also retired. The sons of both men carried on the management of the Group. The unusual looking self unloading turbine driven salt carrier ARGYLL was managed from 1962 while trading from Cedros Island in the Pacific to Vancouver and Tacoma. The converted T2 tanker CORAL VENTURE was managed while trading as a cement carrier on 3 trips/ week from Bahamas to Port Everglades or Jacksonville.
A bulker of 14200 dwt, INVERFIELD, was added in 1957 from a German yard, together with three tankers in 1958/59 as the TEESFIELD of 18770 dwt, ESKFIELD of 28600 dwt and THAMESFIELD of 33880 dwt. The bulker WEARFIELD of 28380 dwt was completed by Austin & Pickersgill Ltd in August, 1964 but gave some trouble with her 6 cylinder 2SCSA oil engines. The tanker EDENFIELD of 63600 dwt joined in 1965 and was taken on a 10 year charter by the Admiralty as DEWDALE. A new bulker of 20920 dwt was purchased in 1967 on the stocks of the Uljanik yard at Pula in Yugoslavia and renamed AVONFIELD, and another bulker with a combination of tallow tanks and dry cargo holds of 17430 dwt completed in 1959 was purchased and renamed DERWENTFIELD at the same time. They were to be used on a contract to ship half a million tons of sulphur and potash from the U.S.A. and Canada to Geelong. The trading fleet in early 1969 was thus:
AVONFIELD Sailed from San Diego with sulphur for Geelong, then coal from Newcastle(NSW) to Japan.
DERWENTFIELD Dry docking in Japan.
DUFFIELD Loading phosphate at Nauru for Melbourne.
GRETAFIELD Loading zinc concentrates at Port Pirie for Avonmouth.
WEARFIELD Discharging timber at Philadelphia and New York.
FORTHFIELD Dry docking on the Tyne.
THAMESFIELD Sailed Puerto Miranda with crude oil for Hamburg.
TEESFIELD Sailed Puerto la Cruz with a cargo of gasoline for Rio de Janeiro and Santos.
EDENFIELD On charter to R.F.A. as DEWDALE.
DALHANNA On charter to BISCO with iron ore from Murmansk, Narvik, Monrovia, Seven Islands etc: to the U.K.
In April,1972 the oil/bulk/ore TYNE BRIDGE of 166750 dwt was completed on the Tees by Swan Hunter SB Ltd as one of a class of six such ships that were to be investigated for design faults following the loss of DERBYSHIRE in 1980. TYNE BRIDGE went on charter to the SEABRIDGE consortium, of which Hunting had been a founder member in 1965 along with Bibby, Bowring, H. Clarkson, Houlder Brothers and Silver Line. The 20 year bulker conversions from tankers, DUFFIELD and GRETAFIELD had now been sold, and WEARFIELD was sold to Ben Line as BENHIANT in 1973, and DALHANNA to Greek interests. The trading fleet at the end of 1973 was:
TYNE BRIDGE On passage Kharg island to Finland with crude oil.
EDENFIELD On charter to R.F.A. as DEWDALE.
AVONFIELD On passage U.S.A. to Continent with grain and steel.
DERWENTFIELD On passage from Long Beach and San Francisco to Japan and Philippines with tallow,iron ore and machinery. Returning to Long Beach with copra and coconut oil.
TWEED BRIDGE Launched at Hiroshima on 21st December.
FORTHFIELD Trading in the Far East on time charter to SHELL.
THAMESFIELD Trading from the Persian Gulf on time charter to SHELL.
TEESFIELD On single voyage charters around Mediterranean and Continent.
The tanker THAMESFIELD left the Tyne for scrapping at Inverkeithing by T.W. Ward Ltd on 9th January,1976; and TEESFIELD did a similar trip to the scrapyard arriving on 26th January,1978. EDENFIELD came off her R.F.A. charter in 1977 and regained her name, and loaded crude in the Tees for a few voyages across the Atlantic to the U.S.A. before being sold in 1978. The bulkers AVONFIELD and DERWENTFIELD were sold for further trading in 1976 and 1978 respectively. The almost new TWEED BRIDGE was renamed TWEEDFIELD in 1978 shortly before she was sold to Liberian owners. The fleet was joined by its last newbuilding THAMESFIELD of 50200 dwt, a forestry products carrier from the Flensburg shipyard. The trading fleet in October,1978 was thus two ships:
THAMESFIELD Loading timber at Port Alberni, Vancouver for Tampa.
TYNE BRIDGE Laid up at Itea in Greece since 18th April.
TYNE BRIDGE was sold to Siosa of Italy in 1980 and was chartered back for two years while retaining her name, and was carrying iron ore from Tubarao in Brazil to Europe. THAMESFIELD was still trading from British Columbia in 1981 when Ropner Holdings Ltd, who owned a 29% stake in Stag Line, sold their shares to Hunting, who then made a £5.3M bid for Stag Line. This was accepted by the Stag Line directors as being in the best interests of all concerned, and Stag Line became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hunting Gibson Ltd on 1st April,1981. Hunting Stag Management Ltd was then set up in Newcastle to absorb the seagoing and shore based staff of the two companies and to manage the Hunting and Stag Line fleets.
Hunting Stag Management Ltd was sold in July,1982 to James Fisher & Sons, Barrow for £3.8M with £2M in cash, £800,000 in Fisher shares and the balance in the form of a Bill of Exchange which matured on 30th June,1984. The price included THAMESFIELD and a Stag Line coaster but not the last two Stag Line bulkers, which were sold a year later to Singapore companies. THAMESFIELD was registered under James Fisher & Sons as from 1st July,1984, and the Newcastle office of Hunting Stag Management Ltd was closed in March,1985 and moved to Barrow; thus bringing to an end the shipping interests of the famous Hunting fleet. The flag with the famous seven pointed blue star on seven red and white bands to signify the seven oceans of the world would fly no more.
Sources:
The Fleet Past And Present Of Hunting & Son Ltd, R. M. Hackman, WSS, 1969.
Huntings Of Newcastle Upon Tyne, WSS, 1961.
Travel of the Tramps, twenty Tramp fleets Vol. III, N.L. Middlemiss, Shield Publication, 1992.
maritiem
1st March 2012, 10:49
HUNTING
Part TWO
Notes on FLEETLIST: S.C.S.A. : stroke cycle single acting.
From WHEATFIELD (1951) Dimensions given are moulded/overall lengths x beam x moulded depth and the summer draft.
FLEETLIST
SYLVIA (1874 - 1881). Ship, later Barque.
O.N. 45871. 1,214g, 1214n, 174 x 37 x 24 feet.
29.11.1862: Launched by J. E. Milledge, St. John, NA, for Wiggins, Son and others, Liverpool. 1863: Sold to Gibbs, Bright & Co., Liverpool, being registered in the name of T. Bright by 1873. 10.8.1874: Purchased by C. Hunting and others for £12,800. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 2.1881: Sold to W. Erichsen m.F., Moss, Norway, renamed MARDOLL. 11.1881: Reported to have foundered after springing a leak while on a voyage from Quebec to London.
GENII (1874 -1880). Ship.
O.N. 21046. 975g, 975n, 182 x 36 x 21 feet.
22.10.1857: Launched by McLachlan & Stackhouse, Carleton, NA, for Wm Coltart, Liverpool. 1858: Sold to Macintyre, Liverpool, for trading to India. 13.8.1874: Sold to C. Hunting and others for £3,575. Is. 4d. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 4.1880: Sold to Graham Anderson & Co., Maryport. 1888: Broken up.
JOSEPH FERENS (1) (1877-1879). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 77036. 1,803g, 1,176n, 270 x 34 x 25 feet, C. 2 Cyl. steam engines of 170 horse power by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle.
9.10.1877: Launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Newcastle, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 22.1.1879: Stranded at Trelleborg while on voyage Reval/London, refloated by Svitzers and taken, 17.2.1879, to Refshales, Denmark, for repairs, sailing again 12.3.1879 for Britain. 1.12.1879: Lost in a gale 100 miles west of Ushant while on a voyage Tyne/Lisbon with a cargo of coal.
YOXFORD (1) (1878) General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 79615. 1,990g, 1,301n. 285 x 35 x 24 feet, C. 2 cyl.. engines of 180 H.P. by R. & W. Hawthorn, Newcastle.
15.6.1878: Launched by C. Mitchell & Co., Newcastle, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 31.7.1878: Sailed from the Tyne on maiden voyage to New York. 12.9.1878: Foundered in a position longtitude 40.02W., latitude 40.18N while on return leg of maiden voyage, New York/ Havre, after being abandoned in heavy weather.
R. F. MATTHEWS (1879 -1899). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 81543. 1,962g, 1,278n, 270 x 35 x 24 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 200 H.P. by Palmer's S. B. & I. Co., Ltd.
22.4.1879: Launched by Palmer's Shipbuilding & Iron Co., Ltd, Jarrow, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 9.1899: Sold to C. Allodi, Leghorn, renamed MELORIA. 1913: Sold to the Turkish Government, renamed DERNA. End of 1928: Sold for scrapping.
WHEATFIELD (1) (1879-1882) General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 81552. 1,963g 1,278n, 2,800d. 270 x 35 x 25 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 200 H.P. by Palmer's S.B. & I. Co. Ltd.
21.5.1879: Launched by Palmer's S.B. & I. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison, 31.12.1882: Stranded during fog at Blackgang Chine, Rocken End, St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, while on a voyage New York/Leith with general cargo.
GLEADOWE (1879- 1899) General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 81591. 2,200g, 1,381n. 285 x 37 x 24 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 260 H.P. by Palmer's S. B. & I. Co., Ltd.
2.10.1879: Launched by Palmer's S.B. & I. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 4.1899: Sold to the Fratelli Cigroni, Leghorn, renamed ELBA. 1899: Renamed PRIMO LIVORNO. 1902: Sold to C. Allodi, Leghorn, renamed MARZOCCO. 1912: Sold to G.Z. Cavalla, Odessa, renamed IRINA. 1914: Sold to C.N. Cavvadias, Odessa. 1917: Sold to M.C. Mitrechevich, Odessa. 4.11.1917: Torpedoed and sunk by submarine off Oleni Russki, Murmansk coast.
JOSEPH FERENS (2) (1880- 1886). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 82788. 1,970g, 1,289n. 276 x 35 x 25 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 200 H.P. by J. Dickinson, Sunderland.
9.7.1880.: Launched by Bartram Haswell & Co., Sunderland, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 23.8.1886: Wrecked north of Cape St Vincent while on voyage Newport, Mon./Palermo with a cargo of coal.
YOXFORD (2) (1880 -1896). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 82831. 1,934g, 1,257n, 270 x 35 x 24 feet. C. 2 cyl. engines of 200 H.P. by North Eastern Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
17.11.1880: Launched by the Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, Willington Quay, Newcastle, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 28.11.1889: Stranded on coast of Holland in bad weather, crew taken off; later salved and resumed service. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 8.1.1896: Wrecked on Alacranes Reef, near Merida, West Indies, while on a voyage Port Limon/Vera Criaz with a part cargo of wines, marble, etc.
LISNACRIEVE (1883 -1899). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 87056. 2,791g, 1,831n, 330 x 39 x 25 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 350 H.P. by Blair & Co., Stockton. Altered in 1896 to triple expansion by N.E. Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd.
1.1883: Completed by Richardson, Duck & Co., Stockton on Tees, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 9.1899: Sold to the Fratelli Sangunieti fu G., Spezia, renamed PININ. 1915: Sold to V. Chiarella, Genoa, renamed TETI. 1916: Sold to E. Mazza, Savona. 4.8.1916: Torpedoed and sunk by an Austrian submarine 45 miles SW of Planier Island.
SAXMUNDHAM (1883 -1888). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 87062. 2,537g. 1,667n, 300 x 39 x 25 feet, C. 2 cyl. engines of 300 H. P. by N.E. Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd.
11.1.1883: Launched by the North of England Shipbuilding Co., Sunderland, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 4.11.1888: Lost in collision with the Norwegian sailing ship NOR, 30 miles WSW. of St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, while on a voyage Tyne/Ancona with a cargo of coal and coke.
LINDA (1887 -1909). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 94308. 2,424g, 1,562n, 3,700d, 290 x40 x 25 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 300 H.P. by Wigham, Richard & Co., Newcastle (reached 12 knots on trials.)
6.1887: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison.
30.7.1887: Ran trials and delivered. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 12.1909: Sold to Harris Bros, Bristol, for £9,000. 1.1910: Broken up at Falmouth.
DORA FORSTER (1889 -1899). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 95530. 2,409g, 1,570n, 300 x 39 x 21 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 225 H.P. by N.E. Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd.
31.1.1889: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 3.1889: Delivered. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 23.11.1899: Left Savannah for Liverpool with cotton and general cargo, and disappeared.
WESTHALL (1889- 1909). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 96131. 2,861 g, 1,821 n, 313 x 40 x 25 feet. T. 3 cyl. engines of 250 H.P. by Palmer's S.B. & I. Co., Ltd; speed, 10 knots.
12.8.1889: Launched by Robert Stephenson & Co., Newcastle, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 10.1889: Delivered. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 11.1909: Sold to Harris Bros, Bristol, and broken up at Falmouth.
ETHERLEY (1889- 1894). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 96638. 1,755g, 1,140n, 265 x 37 x 16 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 165 H.P. by Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd.
13.8.1889: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Pattison. 9.1889: Delivered. 1891: Managers became Hunting & Son. 3.1894: Sold to Bilton, Williams & Co. 1896: Sold to C. K. Hansen, Copenhagen, renamed KLAMPENBORG. 19.1.1917: Torpedoed and sunk by a submarine 20 miles SE. of Armen Rocks Lighthouse.
DUFFIELD (1) (1893- 1901). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 101848. 3,698g, 2,426n, 5,000d, 340 x 44 x 23 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 265 H.P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd; reached 11 knots on trials.
31.5.1893: Keel laid by the Tyne Iron S. B. Co., Ltd. 911211893: Launched for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 1.2.1894: Ran trials and delivered. 7.6.1901: Sold to the Anglo American Oil Co., renamed APPALACHEE. 1926: Sold to the Ape S.A. Petroliere, Genoa, renamed CLIZIA. 1942: Taken over by the German Navy. 9.1944: Scuttled in the River Gironde by retreating Germans, and later scrapped as she lay.
ALNWICK (1894 -1910). General Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 104242. 3,049g, 1,957n, 4,900d, 320 x 42 x 26 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 250 H.P. by J. Dickinson, Sunderland.
6.2.1894: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Norwick S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son. 3.1894: Delivered. 1910: Sold to Ellerman Lines, Ltd (Westcott & Laurance, Ltd, Managers), for £9,000, renamed FAVONIAN. 4.8.1916: Sunk by gunfire from a submarine 24 miles SW. of Planier Island, Mediterranean.
AUREOLE (1894 -1920). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 104290. 3,998g, 2,322n, 5,500d, 345 x 47 x 22 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 394 H.P. by Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd; reached 12 knots on trials.
19.11.1894: Ordered from the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd. 24.7.1895: Launched for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Son. 27.8.1895: Ran trials. Delivered. 1901: Sold to the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 11.1917: Torpedoed in the Little Minch, but salved. 15.1.1920: Wrecked at Lister, near Farsund, Norway.
OILFIELD (1) (1896-1918). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 104299. 4,005g, 2,356n, 345 x 47 x 22 feet, T.3 cyl. engines of 394 H.P. by Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd; reached 12 knots on trials.
24.7.1895: Ordered from the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd. 14.5.1896: Launched for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Son. 19.6.1896: Ran trials and delivered. 1914: Sold to the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 16.3.1918: Torpedoed by submarine 15 miles NW. of Cape Wrath, beached near Stornoway, but declared a total loss.
MINOCO (1898- 1901). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 108346. 796g, 412n, 938d, 200 x 32 x 14 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 129 N.H.P. by Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co.
22.1.1898: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Mineral Oils Corporation, Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 5.1898: Delivered. 1901: Sold to the Anglo American Oil Co., Ltd (S. Macdonald, manager), renamed IMPERIAL. 1902: Was the first oil tanker on the Great Lakes of Canada. 1910: Sold to the Imperial Oil Co., Ltd, Sarnia, Ont. 7.1922: Towed to Vancouver for service in British Columbian waters. 1938: Renamed IMPOCO and later sold for scrapping. 1939: Broken up at Victoria, B.C.
BLOOMFIELD (1) (1899-1928). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 110344. 4,455g, 2,869n, 6,000d, 350 x 50 x 23 feet, T.3 cyl. engines of 430 N.H.P. by N.E. Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd; reached 12,1 knots on trials.
20.9.1899: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others. Managers: Hunting & Son. 21.10.1899: Ran trials and delivered. 7.1914: Sold to the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 1925: Sold to the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 12.12.1928: Sold to the S.A. Imprese Navali e Affini, Venice, renamed MARGHERA. 1938: Sold to Societa Italiana Petroliere d’ Oriente, Rhodes. 12.2.1941: Scuttled by Italians at Kismayii, Italian Somaliland. and later scrapped as she lay.
SAXOLEINE (1899-1928). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 110345. 3,757g, 2,426n, 336 x 45 x 29 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 275 N. H. P. by Wallsend Slipway, & Eng. Co., Ltd.
6.9.1899: Launched by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Ltd, for the Saxoleine S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 4.1927: Sold to the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 15.5.1928: Sold to the S.A. di Nav. Cisterne Italiane, (later Cisterne Italiane Soliam & Saltamerenda), Genoa, renamed CELENO. 9.1943: Taken over by Germany, renamed CLAUDIA. 1945: Seized by the U.S.S.R. in the Black Sea, since which time nothing further has been heard of her.
DUFFIELD (2) (1906 -1925). Turret deck type Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 122865. 3,838g, 2,442n, 6,600d, 350 x 50 x 22 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 292 N. H. P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd.
20.11.1906: Launched by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd, Sunderland, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 18.12.1906: Delivered. 2.1925: Sold to the Cia. Nav. Pereda, Colon, Panama, renamed FERNANDO. 1926: Owners became Naviera Pereda S.A., Panama. Subsequently registered at Bilbao under the Spanish flag. 1932: Broken up at Santander, Spain by V. Gorestegui.
GARFIELD (1907 -1917). Turret deck type Cargo Steamer.
O.N. 125423. 3,838g, 2,442n, 6,600d, 350 x 50 x 22 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 292 N. H. P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd.
30.4.1907: Launched by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd, Sunderland, for the Norwick S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Sons. 22.7.1907: Delivered. 1911: Sold to Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 15.1.1917: Torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U39, sixty miles NE by N ½ N. Alexandria.
CLEARFIELD (1908 1916). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 125451. 4,211g, 2,656n, 350 x 49 x 29 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 339 H. P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd.
24.11.1908: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for C. S. Hunting and others . Managers: Hunting & Son. 7.1914: Sold to the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 24.10.1916: Torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by the German submarine U55, with the loss of all hands, while on a voyage Inver¬gordon/Hampton Roads in ballast.
PETROLEINE (1908 -1925). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 125445. 4,211g, 2,656n, 6,329d, 350 x 49 x 29 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 340 H. P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd; speed, 12 knots.
141.7.1908: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Saxoleme S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 23.10.1908: Delivered. 12.1925: Sold to the Soc. Auxiliaire des Transports, Rouen, name retained. 1929: Sold to the Imperial Oil Co., Ltd, Canada, renamed INCALITE. 1933: Broken up in Japan.
ARTESIA (1916 -1918). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 131732. 2,762g, 1,716n, 309 x 40 x 28 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 225 N.H.P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd.
8.12.1888: Launched by Armstrong, Mitchell & Co., Ltd, as ENERGIE, for the Deutsche Amerikanische Petroleum Gesellschaft, Hamburg. 1914: Owner became E.T. Williams, Nassau, Bahamas. 1915: Sold to the Scottish Mexican Oil Co., Ltd. 3.4.1916: Purchased by the Saxoleine S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. Renamed ARTESIA. 8.2.1918: Captured by the German submarine U156 north of Madeira and sunk by bombs, 14.2.1918.
OILFIELD (2) (1923 -1937). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 145529. 5,387g, 3,063n, 7,800d, 365 x 51 x 31 feet, two Steam Turbines of 467 H.P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Eng. Co., Ltd, double reduction geared to one shaft.
1 .5.1923: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Northern Petrol¬eum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 6.1923: Completed. 1926: Managers became Hunting & Son, Ltd. 1932: Sold to Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 17.4.1937: Sold to the Mid Atlantic Shipping Co., renamed ENGLISH TANKER. 7.6.1938: Badly damaged by air attack at Alicante, while dis¬charging a cargo of oil, during the Spanish Civil War, and abandoned to the underwriters as a total loss. 1941: Salved by the Spanish Government, renamed CASTILLO ALMENARA. 1947: Sold to the Cia. Arrendataria del Monopolio des Petroleos, Cadiz, renamed CAMPOSINES. 1967: broken up at Castellon.
WELLFIELD (1923 -1941). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 148055. 5,637g, 3,295n, 7,770d, 386 x 51 x 31 feet, 4 S.C.S.A oil engines of 563 N.H.P. by the N.E. Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd, driving two screws; speed, 11 knots.
8.12.1923: Launched by the Tyne Iron S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 11.3.1924: Delivered, becoming the first motor vessel in the Hunting fleet. 1926: Managers became Hunting & Son, Ltd. 25.2.1931: Went aground in the Black Sea, at the entrance to the Bosphorus. Refloated and brought back to the Tyne for repairs, the opportunity being taken to lengthen her and add another tank. 7.1.1932: Reconstruction completed by Smith's Dock Co., and she was thenceforth a vessel of 6,054g, 3,584n, 8,910d with dimensions 410 x 51 x 31 feet. 4.6.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine cast of Cape Race, in a position 48.34N, 31.34W, while on Admiralty service.
SYLVAFIELD (1) (1925 -1940). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 148136. 5,709g, 3,392n, 8,610d, 395 x 52 x 32 feet, 2 S.C.S.A oil engines of 640 N.H.P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons Ltd; speed, 10 knots.
6.6.1925: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, Sunderland, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son. 8.1925: Delivered. 1926: Managers became Hunting & Son, Ltd. 15.8.1940: Torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine NW of Malin Head in position 56.39N, 11.16W, with the loss of two lives, while on Admiralty service.
TYNEFIELD (1) (1925 -1942). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 149405. 5,856g, 3,474n, 8,930d, 395 x 54 x 32 feet, 2-S.C.S.A. oil engines of 640 N.H.P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd; speed, 10 knots.
30.11.1925: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, for the Hunting S.S. Co. (1919) Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 26.1.1926: Completed.25.2.1941: Damaged by bombs at Tobruk. 5.10.1941: Mined, and broke in two, in the Suez Canal with the loss of seven lives, while on Admiralty service. Stern section beached in the Gulf of Suez and manned until 6.6.1942, when it was declared a total loss. 1953: Wreck purchased by Italian shipbreakers and towed to Savona during 11.1953 for demolition.
GRETAFIELD (1) (1928 1940). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 149468. 10,191g. 6,071n, 15,760d, 498 x 68 x37 feet, Q.4 cyl. engines of 874 N. H. P. by Cammell Laird & Co., Ltd; speed, 12 knots.
22.3.1928: Launched by Cammell, Laird & Co., Ltd, Birkenhead, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 15.5.1928: Completed. 14.2.1940: Torpedoed by a German submarine west of Wick in a position 58.27N, 02.33W, while on Admiralty service, with the loss of eleven lives. The wreck drifted ashore at Dunbeath, near Wick, but was a total loss.
CLYDEFIELD (1) (1928 -1950). Motor Tanker.
O.N.149473. 6,758g, 3.916n, 9,634d, 420 x 58 x 33 feet, 4-S.C.S.A. oil engines of 647 N.H.P. by Harland & Wollf, Ltd, Govan; speed, 12 knots.
23.4.1928: Launched by D. & W. Henderson & Co., Ltd, Glasgow. for the Hunting S.S. Co. (1919) Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 10.7.1928: Completed. 8.1935: Lengthened and thenceforth a vessel of 7,365g, 4,329n. 10,825d, with dimensions 451 x 58 x 33 feet. 12 .11.1937: Sold to the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 28.12.1946: Sold to the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 18.11.1950: Sold to John T. Essberger, Hamburg, renamed RAVENSBERG. 1953: Sold to the German shipbreakers Eckhardt & Co. 13.1.1954: Arrived at Hamburg for demolition.
CREOFIELD (1936 -1940). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 161078. 838g, 358n, 838d, 185 x 31 x14 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 166 N.H.P. by MacColl & Pollock, Ltd, Sunderland; speed, 9 knots.
28.11.1928: Launched by the Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. (1927) Ltd, Goole, as ATHELSTANE for the United Molasses Co., Ltd. 16.1.1936: Purchased by the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. Renamed CREOFIELD. 1.2.1940: Lost off Yarmouth, with all hands, while on a voyage Southend to Middlesbrough; believed mined.
OILFIELD (3) (1937 -1941) Motor Tanker.
O.N. 165758. 8,516g, 5,045n, 12,540d, 476 x 62 x 34 feet, 4-S.C.S.A. oil engines of 653 N.H.P. by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen; speed, 13 knots.
4.12.1937: Launched by the Odense Staalskibsvaerft, Odense, Denmark, for the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 19.2.1938: Completed. 28.4.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine north of Rockall in a position 60.05N, 16.00W, with the loss of 47 lives, including Captain R. L. Anderson, the Fleet's Commodore Master.
DUFFIELD (3) (1938 -1941). Motor Tanker. O.N. 165760. 8,516g, 5,045n, 12,540d, 476 x 62 x 34 feet, 4-S.C.S.A. oil engines of 653 N.H.P. by Burmeister & Wain; speed, 13 knots.
29.2.1938: Launched by the Odense Staalskibsvaerft for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 28.3.1938: Completed. 8.4.1941: Attacked by a German submarine, while on Admiralty service, SW. of Madeira in a position 32.00N, 23.24W, but escaped, damaged. 9.4.1941: Again torpedoed, in a position 31.13N, 23.24W, and sunk with the loss of 25 lives.
PONTFIELD (1939 -1959) Motor Tanker.
O.N. 165780. 8,290g, 4,950n, 12,875d, 465 x 61 x 34 feet, Six cylinder oil engines of 338 N. H. P. by the Eriksbergs M.V., Gothenburg; speed, 11 knots.
20.7.1939: Launched by the Eriksbergs Mekaniska Verkstads A B, Gothenburg, Sweden, for the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 12 .10.1939: Handed over to a British crew who sailed her through the German blockade in the Skagerrak to the Tyne. 1.1940: Came on British register. 10.2.1940: Completed and sailed from Tyne. 15.9.1941: Mined and broken in two north of Cromer, the stern half being salved and towed into port.
7.4.1942: Sold to the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 6.1942: New forepart added by Swan, Hunter & Co. at Wallsend on Tyne, and thenceforth she was a vessel of 8,319g, 4,960n, 12,675d, with dimensions 472 x 61 x 34 feet.
3.4.1947: Sold to the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 1959: Sold to the Yugoslavian shipbreakers Brodospas. 20.4.1959: Arrived at Split and on 24.4.1959 handed over for demolition.
SYLVAFIELD (2) (1942 -1952). Tank Steamer.
O.N.168663. 8,602g, 4,837n, 12,559d, 475 x 62 x 34 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 3,650 H.P., by the N.E. Mar. Eng. Co. (1938) Ltd; speed, 11 knots.
28.11.1940: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, Sunderland, as EMPIRE SILVER for the Ministry of War Transport. Management allocated to John I. Jacobs, Ltd. 13.10.1942: Management reallocated to Hunting & Son, Ltd. 13.12.1945: Purchased by the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers, renamed SYLVAFIELD. 28.8.1952: Sold to the Castro Bello Cia Armadora, S.A., Panama, renamed RADIANT. 1957: Renamed ANDROS SUN. 1958: Sold to the Star Line Shipping Co., Inc., Panama and renamed CAPTAIN THEO. 1960: Broken up at Split.
WEARFIELD (1) (1942 -1955). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 165853. 9,795g, 5,783n, 14,804d, 484 x 68 x 36 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 674 N.H.P. by N.E. Mar. Eng. Co. (1938) Ltd; speed, 12 knots.
23.11.1942: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 12.3.1943: Completed. 14.3.1953: Sold to the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 1955: Sold to Transatlantic Navigation Corporation, Liberia, delivered at New York 15.11.1955 and renamed TRANSMARS. 1960: Sold to Japanese shipbreakers, and arrived at Onomichi 1.8.1960 for demolition.
THAMESFIELD (1) (1943 -1954). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 169172. 9,801g, 5,791n, 14,804d, 484 x 68 x 36 feet, T.3 cyl. engines of 674 N.H.P. by N.E. Mar. Eng. (1938) Ltd; speed, 12 knots.
17.7.1943: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 4.11.1943: Completed. 1954: Sold to the Stanhope S.S. Co., Ltd (J. A. Billmeir & Co., Ltd), delivered at Cardiff 14.2.1955 and converted into an Ore Carrier and renamed STANFIELD. 1961: Sold to the East Sun Shipping Co., Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed AUGUST MOON. 15.9.1966 aground in China Sea.
BLOOMFIELD (2) (1945 -1954). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 169015. 9,812g, 5,782n, 14,822d, 484 x 68 x 36 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 674 N.H.P. by the N.E. Mar. Eng. Co. (1938) Ltd; speed, 11 knots.
17.1.1942: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, as EMPIRE MARVELL, for the Ministry of War Transport, and management allocated to Andrew Weir & Co. 15.5.1945: Management reallocated to Hunting & Son, Ltd.
12:5 1946: Purchased by the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers, renamed BLOOMFIELD. 1954: Sold to Bruno & Eredi Arturo Montanari, Italy, delivered at Cardiff 152 1955 and renamed LETIZIA MONTANARI.
1959: Sold to the Pacific Ruler Corporation, Liberia, and renamed PANAGHIA T. 1962: Broken up at Vigo.
DERWENTFIELD (1) (1946 -1952). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 168669. 8,602g, 4,837n, 12,523d, 475 x 62 x 34 feet, T. 3 cyl. engines of 674 N.H.P., by the N.E. Mar. Eng. Co. (1938) Ltd; speed, 12 knots.
11.2.1941: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, as EMPIRE CORAL, for the Ministry of War Transport, and management allocated to Eagle Oil Co., Ltd. 1945: Sold to the British Empire Steam Navigation Co., Ltd, managers Houlder Bros & Co., renamed DERWENT RIVER. 16.12.1946: Purchased by the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers, Hunting & Son, Ltd, renamed DERWENTFIELD. 1.9.1952: Badly damaged by explosion and fire at Balikpapan. 16.9.1952: Abandoned to the underwriters as a total loss. 1953: Sold by the underwriters to the Cia. Globo de Nav., S.A., Panama, and towed to Japan for repairs, arriving at Osaka 15.5.1953. Survey proved, however, that repairs would not be an economical proposition, and she was accordingly beached in the Kitzu River, Osaka, for demolition, work beginning 21.8.1953.
OILFIELD (4) (1947- 1959). Turbo electric tanker.
O.N. 169217. 10,662g, 6,323n, 16,628d, 507 x 68 x 39 feet, 6,000 S.H.P. turbo electric machinery by the General Electric Co., Lynn, Mass.; speed, 15 knots.
11.8.1944: Launched by the Kaiser Co., Inc., Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., as HOVENWEEP for the United States Maritime Commission. 17.10.1947: Purchased by the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers, Hunting & Son, Ltd, renamed OILFIELD. 1959: Sold to the Intercontinental Navigation Corporation, Liberia, delivered at Cardiff 21.9.1959, and renamed NORTHERN EAGLE. 1978: Broken up at Split.
EDENFIELD (1) ( 1947 -1959). Turbo electric tanker.
O.N. 169218. 10.650g, 6301n, 16,628d, 507 x 68 x 39 feet, 6,000 S.H.P., turbo electric machinery by the General Electric Co., Lynn, Mass.; speed, 15 knots.
15.7.1944: Launched by the Kaiser Co., Inc., Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., as VERENDRYE for the United States Maritime Commission. 22.10.1947: Purchased by the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers, Hunting & Son, Ltd, renamed EDENFIELD. 5.7.1950: Sold to Eden Tankers Ltd, same managers. 1953: Owners became Hunting (Eden) Tankers Ltd, same managers. 1959: Sold to the Northern Shipping Corporation, Liberia, delivered at Hamburg 21.7.1959 and renamed NORTHERN VENTURE. 1985: Broken up.
REDEFIELD (1950 -1958). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 183361. 786g, 397n, 1,034d, 210 x 32 x 12 feet, 2-S.C.S.A.Polar oil engines by the A/B Atlas Diesel, Stockholm; speed, 10 knots.
17.5.1940: Launched by the Sarpsborg Mek. Verksted, Greaker, as GERD¬MOR, for Skibs. A/S Gerdmor, managed by R. Jacobsen, Drobak, Norway. 1949: Arrested for debt, laid up at Glasson Dock, Lancaster. 23.5.1950: Pur-chased from the Admiralty Marshal by Doxfield Tankers, Ltd, Managers, Hunting & Son, Ltd, renamed REDEFIELD. 12.12.1953: Sold to the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, same managers. 1958: Sold to Armatoriale Mediterranea Idrocarburi Amic, Italy, delivered at Birkenhead 31.3.1958 and renamed SANTA RITA TERZA. Still in service.
LAGANFIELD (1950 -1961). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169226. 8,196g, 4,735n, 12,442d, 469 x 59 x 35 feet, Six cylinder oil engines of 3,200 B.H.P. by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Belfast; speed, 12 knots.
26.9.1950.. Launched by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Belfast, for the Field Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 29.12.1950: Completed. 1967: Sold to Spimar S.p.A., Genoa, Italy, delivered at Jarrow 23.5.1961 and renamed ANNA MARIA MARTINI. 1974: Sold renamed NETIN. 1979: Broken up at La Spezia
WHEATFFIELD (2) (1951 -1964 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169234. 10,646g, 6,252n, 16,500d, 496/523 x 68 x 36 feet, 29 feet draft, Six cylinder Fairfield Doxford oil engines of 5,500 B.H,P. by the Fairfield S.B. & Eng. Co., Ltd, Glasgow; speed 14 knots.
29.12.1951: Launched by the Furness S.B. Co., Ltd, Haverton Hill on Tees, for Eden Tankers, Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 19.5.1952: Delivered. 1964: Sold renamed SEA JASPER. 1966 Sold renamed WINDRATI. 1980: Sold to Cia. De Navagacion Sofia S.A., Panama name unchanged. 1981: Broken up.
TYNEFIELD (2) (1952 -1966 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169239. 12,238g, 7,065n, 18,700d, 526/557 x 70 x 40 feet, 31 feet draft, Six cylinder Hawthorn Doxford oil engines of 7,600 B.H.P. by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd, speed, 15 knots.
25.3.1952: Launched by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd, Hebburn onTyne, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 3.9.1952: Delivered. 1966 Sold renamed TERRY. 1973: Broken up at Valencia.
DUFFIELD (4) 1952 -1970 ). Motor Tanker.1952 60, Bulk Carrier after 1960.
O.N. 169241. 10,201g, 5,861n, 14,890d, 480/506 x 67 x 36 feet, 29 feet draft, Four cylinder Hawthorn Doxford oil engines of 4,400 B.H.P. by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd; speed, 13 knots.
23.5.1952: Launched by Smith's Dock Co., Ltd, Middlesbrough, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 24.10.1952: Delivered. 8.12.1960: Converted into a bulk carrier by Smith's Dock Co., Ltd, North Shields, and thenceforth a vessel of 10,241g, 5,866n, 13,410d, with a draft of 27 feet and a speed of 12 knots. 1970: Sold renamed GOLDEN OCEAN. 1973: Sold renamed COUGAR. 1975: MONTEREY. 1977: INGRID II. 1979 Broken up at Kaohsiung.
GRETAFIELD (2) (1952 -1972 ) Motor Tanker 1952 60, Bulk Carrier after 1961.
O.N. 169240. 10,646g, 6,252n, 16,500d, 496/523 x 68 x 36 feet, 29 feet draft, Five cylinder Doxford oil engines of 5,500 B.H.P. by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Ltd; speed, 14 knots.
9.6.1952: Launched by the Furness S.B. Co., Ltd, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 7.10.1952: Delivered. 10.1960/4.1961: Converted into a bulk carrier by Smith's Dock Co., Ltd, North Shields, and thenceforth a vessel of 10,856g, 6,368n, 14,605d, with a draft of 27 feet and a speed of 13 ½ knots. 1972: Sold renamed MAYFLOWER. 1974: Sold renamed SIROCO 1. 1976: Broken up at Kaohsiung.
CLYDEFIELD (2) (1952 -1965 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169242. 11,163g, 6,412n, 16,960d, 515/548 x 70 X 38 feet, 30 feet draft, Six cylinder Burmeister & Wain oil engines of 7,500 B.H.P. by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Govan; speed, 15 knots.
161911952: Launched by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Govan, for Eden Tankers, Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 21.10.1953: Delivered. 17.11.1964 Damaged by heavy fire. 1965: Broken up in Japan.
AVONFIELD (1) (1952 -1965 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169246. 11,319g, 6,449n, 16,800d, 505/539 x 70 x 39 feet, 30 feet draft, Five cylinder oil engines of 6,450 B.H.P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd; speed, 14 knots.
21.10.1952: Launched by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd, for Eden Tankers, Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 8.5.1953: Delivered. 1965: Sold renamed KHIOS STAR. 1971: MAR STAR. 1973 PIONEER. 1973: Broken up at Burriana.
SYLVAFIELD (3) (1953 -1965 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169249. 11,243g, 6,400n, 16,700d, 515/547 x 70 x 39 feet, 30 feet draft, Six cylinder oil engines of 7,750 B.H.P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd; speed, 15 knots.
14.4.1953: Launched by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Ltd, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 3.9.1953: Delivered. 1965: Sold renamed Georgian VALOUR. 1971: Broken up at Bilbao.
HUNTFIELD (1953 -1966 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 169257. 11,113g, 6,426n, 16,820d, 495/529 x 70 x 40 feet, 30 feet draft, Six cylinder oil engines of 7,750 B.H.P. by Wm. Doxford & Sons Ltd; speed, 14 knots.
21.12.1953: Launched by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd, for the Hunting S.S. Co., Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 28.5.1954: Delivered. 1966: Sold renamed COSMO TRADER. 1968: WINFIELD TRADER. 1972: Broken up at Hong Kong after grounding damage.
FORTHFIELD (1954 -1975 ). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 186841. 12,129g, 6,919n, 18,150d, 530/556 x 69 x 39 feet, 30 feet draft. Two steam turbines developing 7,500 S.H.P. by Hawthorn Leslie (Engineers) Ltd, Newcastle; speed, 14 ½ knots.
10.11.1954: Launched by Hawthorn Leslie (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Hebburn onTyne, for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 23.4.1955: Delivered. 1975: Aground Orinoco and scrapped in Spain.
INVERFIELD (1957 -1968 ). Bulk carrying motor vessel.
O.N. 186873. 10,039g, 6,287n, 14,270d, 460/505 x 61 x 41 feet, 31 feet draft, Eight cylinder M.A.N. oil engines of 4,680 B.H.P. by the Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack; speed, 12 ¾ knots.
12.11.1957: Launched by the Rickmers Werft, Bremerhaven for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 21.2.1958: Delivered. 1968: Sold renamed TIEN CHEUNG. 1972: UNIVERSAL KING. 1977: MINYEE. 1981: OCEAN KING. 20.2.1981: Aground Persian Gulf. 1983: Broken up at Gadani Beach.
THAMESFIELD (2) (1958 -1976 ). Tank Steamer.
O.N. 186887. 20,743g, 11,258n, 32,160d, 635/660 x 85 x 46 feet, 35 feet draft, Two steam turbines developing 13,000 S.H.P. by Hawthorn Leslie (Engineers), Ltd; speed, 16 knots.
11.12.1958: Launched by Hawthorn Leslie (Shipbuilders) Ltd, for Hunting (Eden) Tankers Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 20.4.1959: Delivered.1976: Broken up at Inverkeithing.
TEESFIELD (1959 -1978 ). Motor tanker. O.N. 186892. 12,146g, 7,017n, 18,025d, 525/556 x 71 x 39 feet, 31 feet draft, Six cylinder Doxford oil engines of 6,600 B.H.P. by the Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co., Ltd, Wallsend,. speed, 14 knots.
24.2.1959: Launched by the Furness Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, for Hunting (Eden) Tankers, Ltd. Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 29.8.1959: Delivered.1978: Broken up at Inverkeithing.
ESKFIELD (1959-1968 ). Motor Tanker.
O.N. 186899. 18,851g, 11,051n, 28,559d, 610/643 x 81 x 46 feet, 35 feet draft, Seven cylinder super charged oil engine of 10,300 B.H.P. by Harland & Wolff, Ltd; speed, 15 knots.
21.5.1959: Launched by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Govan for the Northern Petroleum Tank S.S. Co., Ltd, Managers: Hunting & Son, Ltd. 22.12.1959: Delivered. 1968: Sold TORERO. 1973 APOLLONIAN VICTORY. 1977: Broken up at Hamburg.
WEARFIELD (2) ( 1964-1973) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1964: Built by Austin and Pickersgill, Sunderland.
1973: Sold to The Ben Line Steamers and renamed BENHIANT. 1977: CRAMOND. 1977: BENHIANT. 1978: Sold renamed ALEXANDRA. 1980: FAIR WIND. 1985: Broken up at Shanghai
EDENFIELD (2) (1965-1978) Motor Tanker.
1965: Built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Belfast.
1967: In Charter British Government (R.F.A.) renamed DEWDALE. 1977: Out of Charter renamed EDENFIELD. 1978: Sold renamed WORLD FIELD. 1982: Broken up at Kaohsiung.
DERWENTFIELD (2) (1967-1978) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1959: Built by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke, Emden, as BETTY.
1967 Purchased on the stocks and renamed DERWENTFIELD. 1978: Sold renamed CAVO ARTEMIDI. 25.9.1981 Aground at Bahia, Brazil and declared total loss.
AVONFIELD (2) 1967-1976) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1967: Built by Uljanik Yard, Pula as BJORN STANGE. 1967: Purchased and renamed AVONFIELD. 1976: Sold renamed EVANGELISTRIA. 1986: Broken up at Huangpu.
TYNE BRIDGE (1971-1982) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1971: Built by Furness S.B. Co., Ltd, Haverton Hill on Tees.
1982: Sold to Italy not renamed. 1983: IRON TRANSPORTER. 1985: EAST BRIDGE. 1987: Broken up at Kaoshiung.
TWEED BRIDGE (1974-1978) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1974: Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kobe.
1978: Renamed TWEEDFIELD. 1978: Sold to Transmar Corp. Liberia and renamed THEODORE A. 12.3.1998: Arrived Gadani Beach for breaking up.
THAMESFIELD (3) (1977-1982) Bulk carrying motor vessel.
1977: Built by Flensburger Schiffsbau Gesellschaft, Flensburg.
1982: Sold to J. Fisher and Sons not renamed. 1986: Sold renamed AIGIANIS. 1989: Sold to Doris Maritime Services A.A., Vanuatu and renamed CARRYLOG. 1990: Sold to Rana M. Ltd., Bahamas and renamed RANA M. 1995: Sold renamed GUANG YUAN.
TWEEDFIELD see TWEED BRIDGE (1978)
Sources:
The Fleet Past And Present Of Hunting & Son Ltd, R. M. Hackman, WSS, 1969.
Huntings Of Newcastle Upon Tyne, WSS, 1961.
Travel of the Tramps, twenty Tramp fleets Vol. III, N.L. Middlemiss, Shield Publication, 1992.
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