The Fleets
Founded in 1874 by Robert Ropner of Hartlepool, the company operated one of the largest fleets of tramp ships under the British flag. The principal business of the two companies which came under Sir R. Ropner & Co., were the Pool Shipping Co. and Ropner Shipping Co. In 1946 a regular passenger / cargo service was started between Gulf of Mexico ports and the UK - Continent, originally from New Orleans and Houston to London and Bremen. Later the Continental calls were omitted with Liverpool, London and Manchester becoming the chief ports and occasional calls at Dublin and Glasgow.
By 1954 the main ports in the Gulf were Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, Houston, Tampa and Miami. This service continued until 1956 when it was discontinued due to strong competition from U.S. flagged ships. The ships were put to tramping and the passenger accommodation closed.
In 1997 the company was taken over by Jacobs Holdings Plc and still operates.
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ainderby | 1925 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 in North Atlantic. | 4,860 |
| Aislaby | 1889 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1912 sold to Roth Bros., London renamed Doddswell, 1914 sold to Japan not renamed, 1916 sold renamed Yeitai Maru, 1933 sold same name, 1934 scrapped. | 2,745 |
| Alderpool | 1930 | Built by William Pickersgill & Sons, Sunderland | built in 1930 as Northwick but laid up unfinished, 1936 purchased and renamed Alderpool, 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-46 in the Atlantic. | 4,313 |
| Alicia | 1880 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Alicia, 1887 purchased from Middleton & Co. not renamed, 1895 foundered after collision with ss NETLEY ABBEY off Cromer. | 1,428 |
| Amy | 1868 | Built by Denton, Gray & Co., Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1868 lost at Winga. | 583 |
| Appleby | 1978 | Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast | ex- Golden Master, 1978 purchased from Norway renamed Appleby. | 64,640 |
| Ashby (1) | 1896 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1916 wrecked near Ushant. | 2,606 |
| Ashby (2) | 1927 | Built by Cowpen Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co., Blyth | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-43 in North Atlantic ; losses include the Master, 11 crew and 5 gunners. (28 crew and 5 gunners rescued and landed at Fayal, Azores) | 4,871 |
| Baldersby | 1913 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UB-91 ; loss of 2 lives. | 3,613 |
| Barlby (1) | 1895 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1926 sold to D.A. Mango, Greece renamed Noemi, 1930 sold to England renamed Noemijulia, 1942 sold to Irish Shipping Ltd renamed Irish Hazel, 1943 taken over by Ministry of War Transport renamed Empire Don, 1945 reverted to to Irish Shipping Ltd renamed Irish Hazel, 1949 sold to Turkey renamed Uman, 1960 ran aground and lost. | 2,489 |
| Barlby (2) | 1962 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1968 sold to Greece renamed Agios Georgis, 1980 sank near Japan. | 16,565 |
| Bellerby (1) | 1898 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1927 sold to Greece renamed Dzeka, 1928 sold renamed Kate, 1933 scrapped in Italy. | 3,097 |
| Bellerby (2) | 1944 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Empire Irving, 1946 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Bellerby, 1960 sold to Iranian Lloyd renamed Persian Cambyses, 1964 sold renamed Iranian Trader, 1964 renamed Shiraz, 1970 sold to Bahrain renamed Sayhet, 1972 scrapped. | 7,071 |
| Blackhalls | 1880 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1888 stranded off Schiermonnikoog and lost. | 1,142 |
| Boulderpool | 1928 | Built by Smith's Dock Co., Middlesbrough | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German E Boat off Norfolk Coast. | 4,803 |
| Bridgepool (1) | 1924 | Built by Ropner Shipbuilding & Repairing Co., Stockton | 1946 sold to Ford S.S. Co. renamed Wansford, 1950 sold to Egypt renamed Ramses II, 1951 wrecked off Sharpness. | 4,845 |
| Bridgepool (2) | 1962 | Built by Austin & Pickersgill, Sunderland | 1975 sold renamed Ekton, 1982 laid up, 1985 scrapped at Huangpu. | 11,428 |
| Brookby | 1905 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-60 near Fastnet. | 3,679 |
| Burnby | 1905 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-39 near Cape Falcone. | 3,665 |
| Busby | 1894 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1894 stranded in Pendeen Cove, refloated but foundered. | 3,256 |
| Canby | 1911 | Built by Short Bros, Sunderland | ex- Wabana built for British & Chilian S.S. Co., 1931 purchased from Wabana S.S. Co. and renamed Canby, 1934 wrecked near Guion Island. | 4,804 |
| Carperby (1) | 1895 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1926 sold to Sweden renamed Jupiter, 1939 seized by Germans, 1941 renamed Schiff 3, 1945 ceded to Great Britain in damaged condition and scrapped in 1949. | 2,104 |
| Carperby (2) | 1928 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-588 in Western Atlantic. | 4,890 |
| Cedarpool | 1942 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Empire Clarion, 1946 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Cedarpool, 1959 scrapped. | 7,031 |
| Clearpool (1) | 1907 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1933 scrapped. | 4,237 |
| Clearpool (2) | 1935 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1944 wrecked on Skitter Sands. | 5,404 |
| Clearpool (3) | 1941 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Empire Cabot, 1945 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Clearpool, 1954 sold to Cardigan Shipping Co., Cardiff renamed Grelmarion, 1959 sold to Germany renamed Rachel, 1959 scrapped. | 6,715 |
| Coalby | 1911 | Built by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Newcastle | ex- Kamamouraska built for Sydney, Cape Breton & Montreal S.S. Co., 1931 purchased from Kamamouraska Shipping Co. and renamed Coalby, 1935 sold to St. Quentin Shipping Co., Cardiff not renamed, 1936 sold same name, 1937 scrapped. | 4,903 |
| Coleby | 1907 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 captured by German auxiliary cruiser KRONPRINZ WILHELM and sunk by gunfire. | 3,824 |
| Cragpool | 1928 | Built by Cowpen Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co., Blyth | 1947 sold renamed Leandros, 1950 sold to Panama renamed Acropolis, 1960 scrapped. | 5,127 |
| Crathorne | 1888 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1912 sold to Norway not renamed, 1917 torpedoed and sunk off Alicante. | 2,752 |
| Crimdon | 1878 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to P. Rowe & Sons, Cardiff not renamed, 1911 sold to Sweden not renamed, 1918 torpedoed and sunk by submarine. | 1,710 |
| Daleby (1) | 1900 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-70 ; loss of 25 lives. | 3,628 |
| Daleby (2) | 1929 | Built by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Newcastle | ex- Kitty Taylor, 1934 purchased from Eros Steamships and renamed Daleby, 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-89 in North Atlantic. | 4,640 |
| Daleby (3) | 1950 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1961 sold to Jugoslavenska Oceanska Plovidba and renamed Kupres, 1972 scrapped at Split. | 5,171 |
| Danby | 1937 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1952 sold to Spain renamed Astro, 1971 sold renamed Gopegui, 1976 scrapped. | 4,258 |
| Deerpool (1) | 1930 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1939 stranded near Spurn Head and lost. | 5,200 |
| Deerpool (2) | 1950 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1961 sold to Jugoslavenska Oceanska Plovidba and renamed Kordun, 1972 scrapped at Split. | 5,169 |
| Deerpool (3) | 1982 | ex- Shannon Venture, ex- Deborah L 1986, ex- Alpha Flame 1986, ex- Delphic Flame 1990, 1995 purchased renamed Deerpool, 1996 sold. | 37,340 |
| Domby | 1932 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1951 sold renamed Cibou, 1955 sold to Finland renamed Caledonia II, 1956 sold renamed Peter, 1960 sold to Lebanon renamed Kettara V, 1960 scrapped. | 5,582 |
| Drakepool | 1924 | Built by Ropner Shipbuilding & Repairing Co., Stockton | 1946 sold to Kenfig S.S. Co., London renamed San Anthony, 1951 sold to Japan renamed Kinugasa Maru, 1951 sank off Japan. | 4,838 |
| Dromonby | 1900 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1916 captured by German auxiliary cruiser MOEWE and sunk by bombs. | 3,627 |
| Eastpool | 1925 | Built by John Readhead & Sons, South Shields | ex- Eastville, 1937 purchased from Balls & Stansfield and renamed Eastpool, 1938 sold to Turkey not renamed, 1938 sold renamed Demir, 1941 sold same name, 1952 sold idem, 1955 sold idem, 1963 scrapped. | 3,709 |
| Eden | 1879 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to R. Brown & Sons, South Shields not renamed, 1908 sold to Norway same name, 1917 sold same name, 1917 torpedoed and sunk by submarine. | 1,446 |
| Elpis | 1878 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to J.A. Parker, Cardiff not renamed, 1900 sold to Norway renamed Stadt, 1903 missing at sea. | 2,010 |
| Elton | 1888 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1912 sold to W. Coupland, & Co., Newcastle not renamed, 1915 sold to the Admiralty and used as a blockship. | 2,461 |
| Firby (1) | 1926 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1939 torpedoed and sunk by gunfire from German submarine U-48 near the Faroe Islands. | 4,868 |
| Firby (2) | 1942 | Built by Todd Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland | ex- Ocean Fame, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Firby, 1955 sold renamed Irene K, 1958 sold not renamed, 1964 renamed Winchester Queen, 1966 scrapped. | 7,173 |
| Fishpool (1) | 1912 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1938 sold to Atlantic & Mediterranean Trading Co., London renamed Atlantic Scout, 1939 sold not renamed, 1940 ran aground, refloated and beached and wrecked in 1949 broken up. | 4,533 |
| Fishpool (2) | 1940 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1943 blew up after air attack at Syracuse. | 4,950 |
| Gadsby | 1899 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-39 near Wolf Rock. | 3,497 |
| Glenby | 1900 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 sunk by gunfire from German submarine U-38 near the Smalls ; loss of 2 lives. | 2,196 |
| Glenholt | 1883 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to Sweden renamed Hilda, 1899 wrecked on Ambromer Point. | 1,689 |
| Granby | 1895 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1895 wrecked in River Plate on maiden voyage. | 1,891 |
| Greystoke | 1885 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1892 wrecked on Gross Voge Islands. | 2,119 |
| Gullpool | 1928 | Built by Cowpen Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co., Blyth | 1950 sold to Italy renamed San Felice, 1959 renamed Santo Emilio, 1959 scrapped. | 4,870 |
| Hardwick (1) | 1873 | Built by M. Pearse & Co., Stockton | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to T. Appleby, 1880 foundered ; loss of 18 lives. | 978 |
| Hardwick (2) | 1880 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1898 sold to Sweden renamed Lizzie, 1899 sold same name, 1916 sold same name, 1917 sold idem, 1920 sold idem, 1921 sold to German Government, 1922 sold to E. R. Retzlaff renamed Helmwige, 1930 sold renamed Clara Hintz, 1937 scrapped. | 1,122 |
| Harsley | 1879 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Harsley, 1879 purchased from Callender, White & Hunter not renamed, 1893 disappeared after sailing from Gibraltar. | 1,729 |
| Hartburn | 1882 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1898 sold to Sweden renamed Eol, 1913 wrecked near Geffle. | 1,928 |
| Hartlepool | 1904 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1918 converted into a tanker, 1920 sold to Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co. not renamed, 1921 renamed Purpura, 1931 scrapped at Osaka. | 4,409 |
| Hawnby (1) | 1895 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1914 wrecked at Johnshaven. | 2,136 |
| Hawnby (2) | 1936 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1940 mined and sunk in Thames Estuary. | 5,404 |
| Haxby (1) | 1892 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1919 sold to Watts, Watts & Co., London renamed Finchley, 1926 scrapped. | 3,445 |
| Haxby (2) | 1929 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1940 sunk by German auxiliary cruiser ORION in the Atlantic. | 5,207 |
| Helmstedt | 1877 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1890 struck rock off Mandali Island and foundered. | 1,586 |
| Heronspool (1) | 1903 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1928 sold to Greece renamed Eugenia M. Goulandri, 1933 scrapped. | 3,276 |
| Heronspool (2) | 1929 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1939 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-48 off Ireland. | 5,202 |
| Heronspool (3) | see Ocean Valour. | ||
| Hesleden | 1876 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to R. Jobson & Co., West Hartlepool not renamed, 1905 sold to Sweden renamed Phyllis, 1918 wrecked coast Devonshire. | 1,536 |
| Hindpool | 1928 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-124 off West Africa. | 4,897 |
| Holtby | 1909 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1936 sold to Greece renamed Poseidonia, 1939 sold renamed Samir, 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-658. | 3,675 |
| Horden | 1877 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to R. Jobson & Co., West Hartlepool not renamed and resold to Zerssen & Co., Germany renamed Kathe, 1906 sold to Spain renamed Juan, 1916 sold renamed Jacinto, 1918 sold same name, 1926 sold same name, 1927 sunk in collision near Gibraltar. | 1,633 |
| Hurworth (1) | 1888 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1912 sold to G. Payavlas & Co., Greece renamed Thrasyvoulos, 1927 sold renamed Kydaris, 1928 sold same name, 1929 stranded, refloated and scrapped. | 2,387 |
| Hurworth (2) | 1944 | Built by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard Inc., Baltimore | ex- Samlistar built for United States War Shipping Administration, 1947 purchased and renamed Hurworth, 1954 sold to Costa Rica renamed Suerte, 1962 sold to Lebanon same name, 1962 ran aground, refloated and scuttled. | 7,238 |
| Ingleby (1) | 1907 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1929 sold to Greece renamed Atlas, 1934 scrapped in Italy. | 3,815 |
| Ingleby (2) | 1942 | Built by Todd California Iron S.B. Corp., Richmond | ex- Ocean Vengeance, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Ingleby, 1960 sold to Nassau renamed Maratha Enterprise, 1966 sold to Panama renamed Welcome, 1969 scrapped at kaohsiung. | 7,174 |
| Iron Kestrel | 1974 | Built by Hakodate Dockyard | ex- Star Kestrel, 1982 purchased from Kulukundis and renamed Iron Kestrel, 1990 sold to Greece renamed Aghia Trias. | 16,819 |
| Iron Kirby | 1974 | Built by Hakodate Dockyard | ex- Star Kerry, ex- Iron Kerry 1975, 1982 purchased from Kulukundis and renamed Iron Kirby, 1991 sold renamed Seajoy. | 16,819 |
| Iron Somersby | 1971 | Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 1986 renamed Somersby (4), 1987 sold renamed Chia Yun. | 40,088 |
| Kirkby | 1891 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 sunk by German submarine U-38 off Bardsey Island. | 3,034 |
| Kirkpool | 1928 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1942 sunk by German auxiliary cruiser THOR in the South Atlantic. | 4,840 |
| Lackenby (1) | 1894 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1927 sold to P. Danneberg, Latvia renamed Balva, 1931 wrecked in Baltic Sea. | 2,120 |
| Lackenby (2) | 1928 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1943 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-624 in North Atlantic. | 5,112 |
| Lackenby (3) | 1977 | Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast | launched as Otterpool but completed as Lackenby. | 64,640 |
| Lady Esmé | 1961 | Built by Philip & Son, Dartmouth | Ferry used in Seychelles, 1966 to Government of Seychelles. | 114 |
| Leven | 1889 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1905 wrecked near Peniche. | 2,381 |
| Levenpool (1) | 1911 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1934 scrapped. | 4,844 |
| Levenpool (2) | 1942 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Empire Lionel, 1945 purchased from Ministry of War transport and renamed Levenpool, 1962 sold to Trafalgar S.S. Co., London renamed Newlane, 1969 scrapped. | 7,030 |
| Lufra (1) | 1872 | Built by Denton, Gray & Co., Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to R. Ropner & Co., 1879 abandoned in Bay of Biscay. | 1,366 |
| Lufra (2) | 1880 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1887 disappeared after sailing from Cardiff. | 1,765 |
| Magdala | 1870 | Built by Withy, Alexander & Co., West Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1872 wrecked on Ameland. | 703 |
| Magdeburg | 1871 | Built by Denton, Gray & Co., Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to R. Ropner & Co., 1877 sold to T. Appleby not renamed, 1879 wrecked on Doganosler Shoal. | 950 |
| Maltby (1) | 1889 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1899 wrecked on River Tyne. | 2,752 |
| Maltby (2) | 1906 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UC-27 ; loss of 5 lives. | 3,977 |
| Mansepool | 1928 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-97 near the Faroes. | 4,894 |
| Martin | 1895 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Martin, 1909 purchased from Leask, Clark & Co. not renamed, 1917 sunk by gunfire from German submarine UC-18 off Ushant. | 1,904 |
| Millpool | 1906 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1934 foundered with all hands in North Atlantic. | 4,218 |
| Moorby (1) | 1896 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1926 sold to Italy renamed Oreste, 1942 mined and sunk. | 2,606 |
| Moorby (2) | 1936 | Built by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Sunderland | 1948 sold to Power S.S.Co., London renamed Moorcot, 1951 renamed Huntsfield, 1955 sold to Bermuda renamed Elbow River, 1966 scrapped. | 4,992 |
| Mountby | 1898 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UC-49 off the Lizard. | 3,263 |
| Newby | 1890 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 sold to Temple Thomson & Clark, London not renamed, 1916 sunk by gunfire from German submarine U-35 near Barcelona. | 2,168 |
| Oakby (1) | 1897 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-8 near Rayal Sovereign Light Vessel. | 1,976 |
| Oakby (2) | 1942 | Built by Todd Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland | ex- Ocean Pride, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Oakby, 1959 sold to Lebanon renamed Erinio, 1963 sold to Liberia renamed Susana KL, 1966 abandoned at sea, wreck scrapped. | 7,173 |
| Oakby (3) | 1983 | ex- Continental Reliance, 1992 purchased renamed Oakby, 1997 sold. | 35,603 |
| Ocean Valour | 1942 | Built by Todd California Iron S.B. Corp., Richmond | ex- Ocean Valour, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and not renamed, 1949 renamed Heronspool, 1955 sold to Achille Lauro, Italy renamed Liana, 1967 scrapped at La Spezia. | 7,174 |
| Ormesby | 1890 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1914 sold to Wilson & Reid, Belfast not renamed, 1914 resold to Russian Government renamed Ormedia, 1914 wrecked on Orlov Bank. | 2,205 |
| Otterpool (1) | 1926 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-30 in North Atlantic. | 4,867 |
| Otterpool (2) | 1982 | Built by Hitachi Shipbuilding | ex- Pacer, ex- United Ace 1988, 1991 purchased from World Wide Shipping renamed Otterpool, 1997 sold. | 35,750 |
| Parklands | 1880 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1891 stranded and sold to Sweden renamed Thyra, 1910 sold same name, 1915 sold same name, 1923 sold to Germany renamed Marie Ferdinand, 1927 sold renamed Consul Hintz, 1941 lost in collision off Den Helder. | 1,758 |
| Picton | 1887 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 disappeared after sailing from Newport News. | 2,371 |
| Pikepool (1) | 1909 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1940 mined and sunk near Smalls Light. | 3,683 |
| Pikepool (2) | 1942 | Built by Todd Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland | ex- Ocean Pilgrim, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Pikepool, 1959 sold to Greece renamed Marigo, 1966 sold to Cyprus renamed Amfitriti, 1967 scrapped. | 7,178 |
| Preston (1) | 1882 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1885 disappeared after sailing from New York. | 2,539 |
| Preston (2) | 1885 | Built by M. Pearse & Co., Stockton | 1899 sold to General Steam Nav. Co., London not renamed, 1906 wrecked at Point Bay. | 2,157 |
| Preston (3) | 1921 | Built by Hanlon Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Co., Oakland | ex- Memnon built for United States Shipping Board, 1940 to England renamed Empire Mouflon, 1946 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Preston, 1951 sold to Panama renamed Avance, 1957 renamed Avlis, 1962 scrapped. | 3,275 |
| Raisby | 1889 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1901 wrecked on Cape Verde Islands. | 2,205 |
| Reedpool | 1924 | Built by Ropner Shipbuilding & Repairing Co., Stockton | 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-515 near Georgetown. | 4,845 |
| Renpor (1) | 1874 | Built by Short Bros., Sunderland | 1882 sunk by pack ice in North Atlantic. | 1,323 |
| Renpor (2) | 1883 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1897 abandoned 300 miles off Azores. | 1,917 |
| Rockpool (1) | 1912 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine. | 4,502 |
| Rockpool (2) | 1927 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 aground and abandoned, salved by British Ministry of War Transport renamed Empire Trent, 1946 sold to South Africa renamed General George Brink, 1947 sold to Panama renamed Africana, 1959 scrapped. | 4,889 |
| Rollesby | 1906 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-48 near Muckle Flugga. | 3,955 |
| Romanby (1) | 1882 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | Ex Romanby, 1887 purchased from Middleton & Co. not renamed, 1899 sold to T.H. Skogland, Norway renamed Heim, 1917 sunk by mine or torpedo. | 1,745 |
| Romanby (2) | 1908 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 lost in collision with ss ROMERA. | 3,835 |
| Romanby (3) | 1927 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1940 sunk at Narvik. | 4,887 |
| Romanby (4) | 1957 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1969 sold to Greece renamed Sally, 1971 renamed Sandra N, 1973 renamed Canton, 1973 sold same name, 1974 sold renamed Tomabi, 1976 sold renamed Swede Surprise, 1983 scrapped at Chittagong. | 10,488 |
| Roxby (1) | 1893 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1904 lost in collision with ss GLASGOW near Hook of Holland. | 3,043 |
| Roxby (2) | 1923 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-613 in North Atlantic. | 4,252 |
| Rudby (1) | 1924 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1943 sold to Cassar Co., Malta not renamed, 1946 renamed Knight Templar, 1947 sold to Panama renamed Vanmil, 1950 sold to Finland renamed Laila Nurminen, 1955 sold to Italy renamed Amanita, 1958 scrapped. | 4,846 |
| Rudby (2) | 1944 | Built by Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard Inc., Baltimore | ex- Samtay built for United States War Shipping Administration, 1947 purchased and renamed Rudby, 1952 sold to Panama renamed Thekla, 1954 sold renamed Adamas, 1968 scrapped. | 7,219 |
| Rudby (3) | 1971 | Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast | 1980 sold to Liberia renamed Orient Pioneer, 1990 abandoned and sunk in Indian Ocean. | 57,255 |
| Rushpool (1) | 1928 | Built by Cowpen Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co., Blyth | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-94 in North Atlantic. | 5,125 |
| Rushpool (2) | 1957 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1970 sold to Greece renamed Euthalia, 1974 sold renamed Eleftheros, 1979 sold renamed Forum Spirit, 1982 damaged by fire and scrapped. | 10,488 |
| Salmonpool (1) | 1913 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1916 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-39 near Cape Carbon. | 4,905 |
| Salmonpool (2) | 1924 | Built by Irvine's Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Ltd, West Hartlepool | 1940 seized by the Germans renamed Putzig, 1945 back to England renamed Empire Salmonpool, 1947 sold renamed Irene K, 1955 sold renamed White Lodge, 1955 sold to Costa Rica renamed Puntarenas, 1958 scrapped. | 4,803 |
| Salmonpool (3) | 1982 | Built by Eleusis Shipyard | purchased on the stocks and named Salmonpool, 1990 sold to Egon Oldendorff renamed Yeoman Bank. | 24,785 |
| Saxilby | 1914 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1933 foundered in North Atlantic. | 3,630 |
| Scawby | 1911 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 captured by German submarine U-33 and sunk by bombs. | 3,658 |
| Seapool (1) | 1913 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1936 sold to McCowen & Gross, London renamed Pilcot, 1939 sold to Estonia renamed Vapper, 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-34 off Lands End. | 4,502 |
| Seapool (2) | 1940 | Built by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co., Burntisland | 1951 sold to Hamburg Amerika Linie renamed Grunewald, 1953 sold to Schulte & Bruns renamed Esther Schulte, 1962 scrapped. | 4,820 |
| Seaton | 1871 | Built by Denton, Gray & Co., Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to R. Ropner & Co., 1888 sold to O. Thoresen, Norway not renamed, 1898 sold to Sweden same name, 1916 sold same name, 1918 sold renamed Rusken, 1919 sold not renamed, 1920 renamed Pan, 1922 sold same name, 1922 sold to Danzig not renamed, 1925 sold to Sweden not renamed, 1934 scrapped. | 891 |
| Sedgepool (1) | 1918 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by U99 west of the Hebrides. | 6,530 |
| Sedgepool (2) | 1944 | Built by Southeastern S.B. Corp., Savannah | ex- Samdart built for United States War Shipping Administration, 1947 purchased and renamed Rudby, 1954 sold to Nassau renamed Bobara, 1956 sold renamed Flevariotissa, 1958 sold to Costa Rica renamed Kapetan Andreas, 1965 sold to Greece renamed Kitsa, 1967 scrapped at Kaohsiung. | 7,279 |
| Selby | 1895 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1914 mined and sunk near Newarp Lightship. | 2,137 |
| Shotton | 1870 | Built by Withy, Alexander & Co., West Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to R. Ropner & Co., 1877 sold to T. Appleby not renamed, 1887 sold to J.A. Waller, Sweden renamed Apollo, 1889 abandoned in North Atlantic. | 754 |
| Skidby | 1892 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1905 wrecked on Sable Island. | 3,703 |
| Slingsby | 1892 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 sold to the Lowlands Steam Shipping Co., Newcastle renamed Lowtyne, 1918 torpedoed and sunk by submarine. | 3,231 |
| Somersby (1) | 1913 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1923 wrecked near Corunna. | 3,347 |
| Somersby (2) | 1930 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-111 southwest of Iceland. | 5,168 |
| Somersby (3) | 1954 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1958 sold to the Admiralty and converted into a Air Store Support Ship renamed Reliant, 1977 scrapped at Inverkeithing. | 5,893 |
| Somersby (4) | see Iron Somersby. | ||
| Sowerby | 1878 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Sowerby, 1887 purchased from Middleton & Co. not renamed, 1897 wrecked on Understen Rock. | 1,254 |
| Spilsby | 1910 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1936 scrapped. | 3,661 |
| Stagpool (1) | 1905 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1935 scrapped. | 4,621 |
| Stagpool (2) | 1930 | Built by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Sunderland | ex- Iron Chief built for Interstate Steamships, 1935 purchased from Essex Oak and renamed Stagpool, 1950 sold to Heron S.S. Co., London renamed Granny Suzanne, 1954 sold to Costa Rica renamed Carmen, 1956 sold same name, 1963 sunk in collision with ss SADIKZADE ; loss of 2 lives. | 4,560 |
| Stonepool (1) | 1928 | Built by Smith's Dock Co., Middlesbrough | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-207 east of Greenland. | 4,803 |
| Stonepool (2) | 1966 | Built by Charles Connell & Co., Glasgow | 1982 sold to Liberia not renamed, 1986 scrapped at Kaohsiung. | 27,049 |
| Swainby (1) | 1888 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1900 sold to A.G. Vassiliade & Co., Greece renamed Clementine, 1904 foundered near Ushant. | 2,680 |
| Swainby (2) | 1904 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1906 lost in collision with ss HILLBROOK. | 3,653 |
| Swainby (3) | 1917 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-13 near Muckle Flugga. | 5,811 |
| Swainby (4) | 1941 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Empire Sunbeam, 1945 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Swainby, 1962 sold to Trafalgar S.S. Co., London renamed Newgate, 1971 scrapped. | 6,711 |
| Swiftpool (1) | 1929 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-372 west off Ireland. | 5,205 |
| Swiftpool (2) | 1954 | Built by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Dundee | 1964 sold to British India Steam Nav. Co. renamed Chakla, 1972 sold to Guan Guan Shipping, Singapore renamed Golden Bear, 1975 scrapped. | 6,611 |
| Tarpeia | 1877 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | ex- Tarpeia, 1888 purchased from R.C. Denton not renamed, 1895 wrecked at Sandhammaren. | 1,644 |
| Teesdale | 1904 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | ex- Teesdale, 1908 purchased from J.A. Wood & Co. not renamed, 1917 foundered. | 2,470 |
| Teespool (1) | 1905 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1935 scrapped. | 4,577 |
| Teespool (2) | 1942 | Built by Todd California Iron S.B. Corp., Richmond | ex- Ocean Vanity, 1947 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Teespool, 1960 sold to Wheelock, Marden & Co., Hong Kong renamed Wynn, 1964 renamed Golden Phoenix, 1966 sold to Nassau same name, 1968 scrapped. | 7,174 |
| Tenby | 1898 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1904 wrecked off Emmahaven. | 3,969 |
| Thirlby (1) | 1898 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UC-31 near Fastnet ; loss of 2 lives. | 2,009 |
| Thirlby (2) | 1928 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1942 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-109 near Cape Sable. | 4,888 |
| Thirlby (3) | 1941 | Built by Lithgows, Port Glasgow | ex- Empire Tide, 1945 purchased from Ministry of War Transport and renamed Thirlby, 1956 sold to Panama renamed Guri, 1963 sold renamed Anto, 1966 scrapped. | 6,978 |
| Thirlby (4) | 1958 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | tanker, 1982 sold to Greece renamed Diamando, 1985 scrapped at Aliaga. | 13,105 |
| Thornaby (1) | 1889 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1916 mined and sunk near Shipwash Light Vessel. | 1,730 |
| Thornaby (2) | 1955 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | tanker, 1966 sold to Greece renamed D.G. Papalios, 1969 laid up, 1970 scrapped at Gandia. | 12,146 |
| Tolesby | 1901 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1908 wrecked in Trepassey Bay. | 3,967 |
| Troutpool (1) | 1903 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1923 wrecked near St. Pierre, Miquelon. | 3,281 |
| Troutpool (2) | 1927 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1940 mined and sunk in Belfast Lough. | 4,886 |
| Troutpool (3) | 1956 | Built by J.L. Thompson & Sons, Sunderland | 1963 sold to Peru renamed Perene, 1969 sold to Greece renamed Agis Asteriadis, 1979 scrapped. | 7,989 |
| Trunkby | 1896 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1916 sunk by gunfire from German submarine U-34 near Port Mahon. | 2,635 |
| Ullapool | 1927 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 sunk by mine in Mersey. | 4,891 |
| Wandby (1) | 1899 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1921 wrecked off Portland. | 3,981 |
| Wandby (2) | 1940 | Built by Sir J. Laing & Sons, Sunderland | 1940 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-46 and U-47 off Rockall. | 4,947 |
| Wandby (3) | 1959 | Built by Bartram & Sons, Sunderland | 1972 sold to Greece renamed Sea Ranger, 1984 sold renamed Ledra. | 11,545 |
| Warlaby | 1927 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1941 sunk by heavy cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER east of Azores. | 4,876 |
| Watlington | 1882 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to N. Dubuisson, France renamed Lucien, 1905 wrecked on Labanche Rocks. | 1,814 |
| Wave (1) | 1871 | Built by Denton, Gray & Co., Hartlepool | completed for Appleby, Ropner & Co., 1874 transferred to R. Ropner & Co., 1890 sold to J.C. Twaites, Hartlepool same name, 1881 repurchased by R. Ropner & Co., 1886 wrecked near Romso Light. | 957 |
| Wave (2) | 1887 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1900 sold to D.G. Moiratis & Co., Greece renamed Antonios, 1905 wrecked on Andros Island. | 2,264 |
| Wearpool (1) | 1913 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1935 sold to Greece renamed Aikaterini, 1941 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-93. | 4,929 |
| Wearpool (2) | 1936 | Built by Wm. Doxford & Sons, Sunderland | 1954 sold to Sweden renamed Adelso, 1964 sold to Greece renamed Lefkipos, 1971 sold renamed Dimitros, 1979 scrapped. | 4,982 |
| Wellfield | 1882 | Built by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool | 1899 sold to N.V. Stoomboot Reederij Bestevaer, Rotterdam renamed Bestevaer, 1901 sold to Sweden renamed Merkur, 1903 stranded and purchased from F. Malmros by AB Nordstjernan renamed Reserv, 1920 sold not renamed, 1932 sold to E. Hogberg renamed Holmia, 1935 scrapped in Italy. | 1,907 |
| Westonby | 1901 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-82 off Fastnet. | 3,795 |
| Willerby | 1912 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1915 captured by German auxiliary cruiser PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH and sunk by bombs. | 3,630 |
| Willowpool (1) | 1925 | Built by Ropner Shipbuilding & Repairing Co., Stockton | 1939 mined and sunk near Newarp Light Vessel. | 4,815 |
| Willowpool (2) | 1960 | Built by A/B Finnboda Varf, Stockholm | 1967 sold to Liberia renamed Emmanuel Marcou, 1983 scrapped. | 8,972 |
| Wragby | 1901 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1917 sunk by gunfire from German submarine UC-37 near Cape Spartel. | 3,641 |
| Yearby (1) | 1896 | Built by Ropner & Son, Stockton | 1919 sold to M.H. Bland, Gibraltar renamed Gibel Yedid, 1925 sold to Greece renamed India, 1930 sold for demolition, 1931 scrapped. | 2,639 |
| Yearby (2) | 1929 | Built by Wm. Gray & Co., West Hartlepool | 1950 sold to Italy renamed Bonitas, 1958 foundered off Cape Hatteras. | 5,666 |