Postcard of the American tanker GOLD SHELL of 1916. She hit a mine in the Bay of Biskayf resulting in bow damage under the waterline. She could reach the port of Blaye and was ultimately repaired at the RDM yard in Rotterdam.

Identification Data
Year built: 1916
Nat. Official Number: 311 Z 'S HAGE 1928
Category: Tanker
Propulsion: Steamship
Type: Tanker, Oil
Standard Ship Type:
Type Deck: Full scantling
Material Hull: Steel
Decks: 2

Construction Data
Shipbuilder: Harlan & Hollingsworth Corp., Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Yardnumber: 437
Launch Date: 1916-00-00
Delivery Date: 1916-02-00

Technical Data
Engine Manufacturer: Harlan & Hollingworth Corp., Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Engine Type: Steam, Triple Expansion
Number of Cylinders: 3
Power: 2600
Power Unit: IHP (IPK)
Eng. additional info: 27,45 & 74-48
Speed in knots: 10.00
Number of screws: 1

Gross Tonnage: 5832.00 Gross tonnage
Net Tonnage: 3466.00 Net tonnage
Deadweight: 8396.00 tons deadweight (1016 kg)

Length 1: 411.60 Feet (British) ***Unknown***
Beam: 53.040 Feet (British) ***Unknown***
Depth: 29.80 Feet (British) ***Unknown***
Draught:

Ship History Data
Date/Name Ship 1916-02-00 GOLD SHELL
Manager: Shell Company of California, Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Owner: Shell Company of California, Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Homeport / Flag: Wilmington (Del.) / U.S.A.

Date/Name Ship 1921-00-00 GOLD SHELL
Manager: Shell Line Inc., Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Owner: Shell Line Inc., Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Homeport / Flag: Wilmington (Del.) / U.S.A.

Date/Name Ship 1923-00-00 GOLD SHELL
Manager: Asiatic Petroleum Co. (Delaware) Ltd., Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Owner: Gold Shell Steamship Company of New York, Wilmington (Del.), U.S.A.
Homeport / Flag: Wilmington (Del.) / U.S.A.

Date/Name Ship 1928-09-00 GOLD SHELL
Manager: N.V. Petroleum Maatschappij 'La Corona', The Hague, Netherlands
Owner: N.V. Petroleum Maatschappij 'La Corona', The Hague, Netherlands
Homeport / Flag: The Hague / Netherlands

Date/Name Ship 1929-12-00 WILLY
Manager: Victor Jenssens Rederi A/S., Oslo, Norway
Owner: Victor Jenssens Rederi A/S., Oslo, Norway
Homeport / Flag: Oslo / Norway

Date/Name Ship 1941-00-00 ITAMARATY
Manager: Lloyd Brasileiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Owner: Lloyd Brasileiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Homeport / Flag: Rio de Janeiro / Brazil

Ship Events Data
1940-04-29: On voyage with gasoline from Corpus Christi (Texas) to the United Kingdom on April 29, 1940, off Charleston, fire broke out on board the 'WILLY'. The fire could be extinguished and the damaged ship was grounded at Charleston on 30 April 1940. On May 6, 1940 refloated, but declared 'Constructive Total Loss', sold to Brazil by the insurers, repaired and brought back into service in 1941.
1950-00-00: Final Fate: In repair in a drydock in Armazen (bay of Rio de Janeiro) on 12 January 1949 an explosion in the front cargo tanks of the 'ITAMARATY' took place. She was no longer worth the recovery and was laid up. The damaged ship was demolished in Brazil in 1950.