The Nisbet, Calder partnership formed Clydesdale Navigation Co Ltd in 1906 and bought a second-hand tramp steamer. A second ship was bought in
1909 and a third in 1913, when the managing company became George Nisbet & Co. Two of the ships were sold during WW1 and the third was
torpedoed on a voyage between Middlesbrough and the Tyne in ballast.
George Nisbet & Co resumed as shipowners in 1924, when Nisbet Shipping Co Ltd was formed and adopted the prefix 'Blair' for their vessels.
The business expanded and a third company, Northern Navigation Co Ltd was formed. By 1929 the fleet consisted of 10 ships: 4 owned by Clydesdale,
3 by Nisbet Shipping and 3 by Northern Navigation. Their main trading activity was from UK to Canada and the USA, but some voyages were undertaken
to Russia, the Mediterranean and Australia.
Like all tramp owners Nisbet suffered during the Great Depression but survived and at the start of WW2 owned 9 vessels and another 8 were
allocated to the company by the MOWT. Their losses were heavy: 8 by enemy action, 2 by collision and 1 ship foundered. Nisbet continued after
the war, although by 1955 the fleet was down to 3 ships. These were sold in 1961 and the companies liquidated.
Ships
Blairatholl (1925)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Nisbet Sg Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Napier & Miller Ltd
Shipyard
Glasgow
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
252
Official Number
148875
Call Sign
GLNX
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
3,319
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,005
Length
340.1 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
48.7 Ft.
Depth
22.5 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 35 1/2", 60" and stroke 39"
Engine Builder
D. Rowan & Co Ltd
Engine Builder Works
Glasgow
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
2 single-ended boilers
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
298 NHP
Maximum Speed
9
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with radio direction finding and echo sounding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
4 August 192
Launched
September 1925
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Sunk/foundered (Peacetime)
Service History Information
Sunk following collision with John Bakke on 26 November 1942 at approximate position 51°25' N, 48°30' W whilst en
route from London to the Tyne with a cargo of steel and lumber.
Blairclova (1938)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
B.J.Sutherland & Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
J Readhead & Sons Ltd
Shipyard
South Shields
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
512
Official Number
165762
Call Sign
GLLG
Classification Society
Lloyd's
Gross Tonnage
5,083
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,953
Length
423.7 Ft.
Overall Length
439.2 Ft.
Breadth or Beam
56.7 Ft.
Depth
24.8 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 25", 42", 71" and stroke 48"
Engine Builder
J Readhead & Sons Ltd
Engine Builder Works
South Shields
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
2 single-ended boilers and 1 auxiliary boiler operating at 220 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
524 MN
Maximum Speed
11
Additional Construction Information
1 deck, shelter deck and cruiser stern
Fitted with radio direction finding and echo sounding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
3 March 1938
Launched
May 1938
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Broken Up
Service History Information
Completed for B.J.Sutherland & Co Ltd as Sutherland. Change of name to Blairclova and owner to
Clydesdale Nav Co Ltd 1939, change of name to Ocean Venture and owner to Pan-Norse SS Co SA 1961. Wrecked on the north
side of Harbour Island, Tolo, Hong Kong on 1 September 1962 and broken up.
Blairdevon (1925)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Nisbet Sg Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Napier & Miller Ltd
Shipyard
Old Kilpatrick
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
244
Official Number
147946
Call Sign
GKZQ
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
3,282
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,006
Length
338.4 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
48.7 Ft.
Depth
22.6 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 35 1/2", 60" and stroke 39"
Engine Builder
David Rowan & Co
Engine Builder Works
Glasgow
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
N/K
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
225 NHP
Maximum Speed
9
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with radio direction finding and echo sounding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
28 November 1924
Launched
January 1925
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Broken Up
Service History Information
Change of name to Jennifer Jane and owner to Pan-Ocean Nav Co SA 1956, change of name to Dorothea 1959.
Taken to Karachi April 1970 for breaking by Hardware Manufacturing Co
Blairesk (1925)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Northern Nav Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Napier & Miller
Shipyard
Old Kilpatrick
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
246
Official Number
148841
Call Sign
GLJR
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
3,300
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,018
Length
340.4 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
48.7 Ft.
Depth
22.6 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 35 1/2", 60" and stroke 39"
Engine Builder
D. Rowan & Co Ltd
Engine Builder Works
Glasgow
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
N/K
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
225 NHP
Maximum Speed
9
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with radio direction finding and echo sounding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
14 January 1925
Launched
March 1925
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Broken Up
Service History Information
Change of name to Eddi and owner to Rudolf Chr. Gribel 1952, change of name to Eddy and owner to
Liberian SS Crop Eddy 1954, change of name to San Gabriele and owner to San Gabriele Corp 1961. Taken to Savona
August 1970 for breaking by G.Riccardi
Blairgowrie (1924)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Clydesdale Nav Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Napier & Miller Ltd.
Shipyard
Glasgow
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
243
Official Number
147920
Call Sign
GFYD
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
3,259
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
1,993
Length
338.4 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
48.7 Ft.
Depth
22.6 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 35 1/2", 60" and stroke 39"
Engine Builder
N/K
Engine Builder Works
N/K
Engine Builder Country
N/K
Boiler Details
N/K
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
225 NHP
Maximum Speed
N/K
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Career Highlights
Date
Event
7 July 1924
Launched
August 1924
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
26 at time of loss
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Sunk/foundered (Peacetime)
Service History Information
The vessel issued a distress signal on 26 February 1935 stating that her steering had gone and two hatches had stove in. This was during a
violent westerly gale. Ships arriving on the scene found no trace of her and she was lost with all hands. She was en route from Swansea to
Boston USA with a cargo of anthracite and had given her position as 48°20' N, 27°01' W.
Blairholm (1906)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Northern SS Co Ltd
Country First Registered
Russia
Shipbuilder
Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co. Ltd.
Shipyard
Blyth
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
126
Official Number
120672
Call Sign
KMFB (as Blairholm)
Classification Society
Lloyd's
Gross Tonnage
2,728
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
1,698
Length
313 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
45.5 Ft.
Depth
20.5 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 38", 61" and stroke 42"
Engine Builder
N.E. Marine Engineering Co Ltd
Engine Builder Works
Newcastle
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
2 single-ended boilers operating at 180 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
262 NHP
Maximum Speed
9
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with electric light
Fitted with wireless
Career Highlights
Date
Event
30 September 1905
Launched
March 1906
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Wrecked
Service History Information
Completed for Northern SS Co Ltd as Aleksandr Kamburov. Change of name to San Giacomo and owner to Soc
Maritime et Commerciale de France 1921, change of name to Korsholm and owner to Rederi A/S Limfjorden 1922, change of name to
Blairholm and owner to Clydesdale Nav Co Ltd 1923, change of name to Auratan and owner to A. Grozea 1933,
change of name to SF. Nicolae and owner to M.N. Valsamakis 1934, change of name to Anna T. and
owner to Tn, L. Teryazos 1935, change of name to Kiensing and owner to Kien Sing SN Co Ltd 1946. The vessel was wrecked on
28 February 1948 at approximate position 22°38' N, 115°28' E whilst en route from Hainan to Kobe with a cargo of iron ore
Blairlogie (1929)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Portfield SS Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Craig, Taylor & Co Ltd.
Shipyard
Stockton on Tees
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
225
Official Number
148310
Call Sign
KRGD
Classification Society
Lloyd's
Gross Tonnage
3,071
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
1,919
Length
325.8 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
47.4 Ft.
Depth
21.9 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22 1/2", 37 1/2", 62" and stroke 42"
Engine Builder
Rotterdam Droogd Maats
Engine Builder Works
Rotterdam
Engine Builder Country
Netherlands
Boiler Details
2 single-ended boilers operating at 160 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
266 NHP
Maximum Speed
N/K
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with wireless
Career Highlights
Date
Event
8 August 1929
Launched
October 1929
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Sunk/foundered (Act of War)
Service History Information
Completed for Portfield SS Co Ltd as Portfield. Change of name to Grovedene and owner to Grovedene Sg Co Ltd 1935,
change of name to Blairlogie and owner to Clydesdale Nav Co Ltd 1936. The vessel was attacked by machine guns and shells by German
submarine U-30 on 11 September 1939 at approximate position 54°58' N, 15°08' W and later sunk by torpedo. She was en route from
Portland USA to the UK with a cargo of scrap iron. All the crew survived.
Note: The submarine U-30 and her commander Lemp had sunk Athenia just over a week earlier and
caused great controversy. The story of Athenia can be found on the Benjidog Athenia website
HERE.
Blairmore (1928)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Clydesdale Nav Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Ayrshire Dockyard Co Ltd
Shipyard
Irvine
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
514
Official Number
160219
Call Sign
GSNB
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
4,141
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,533
Length
371.7 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
51.2 Ft.
Depth
24.3 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 38", 63" and stroke 42"
Engine Builder
D. Rowan & Co Ltd
Engine Builder Works
Glasgow
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
N/K
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
257 NHP
Maximum Speed
11
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with radio direction finding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
12 July 1928
Launched
August 1928
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Sunk/foundered (Act of War)
Service History Information
The vessel was sunk on 25 August 1940 by a torpedo fired by German submarine U-37 at position 56° 00' N 27° 30' W. Details of
Merchant Seamen who lost their lives can be found on the Benjidog Tower Hill website HERE.
Blairspey (1929)
Click image for enlarged view
Basic Data
Item
Value
Type
Cargo Ship
Original Owners and Managers
Northern Nav Co Ltd
Country First Registered
UK
Shipbuilder
Ardrossan DD & SB Co Ltd
Shipyard
Ardrossan
Country where built
UK
Yard Number
344
Official Number
161892
Call Sign
GNZD
Classification Society
N/K
Gross Tonnage
4,155
Deadweight (DWT)
N/K
Net Tonnage
2,522
Length
371.8 Ft.
Overall Length
N/K
Breadth or Beam
51.2 Ft.
Depth
24.3 Ft.
Draught
N/K
Engine Type
Triple-expansion Steam Engine
Engine Details
Cylinders of bore 22", 38", 63" and stroke 42"
Engine Builder
J.G. Kincaid Ltd
Engine Builder Works
Greenock
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
N/K
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
257 NHP
Maximum Speed
9.5
Additional Construction Information
1 deck
Fitted with radio direction finding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
5 September 1929
Launched
October 1929
Completed
Crew and Capacity Information
Item
Value
Crew
N/K
Passengers
N/K
Cargo Capacity
N/K
Status and Service History Information
Item
Value
Status
Broken Up
Service History Information
Change of name to Empire Spey and owner to British Government 1942, change of name to Blairspey and owner to Northern Nav Co Ltd 1946,
change of name to Evandros and owner to Marfuente Cia Naviera SA 1961. Taken to La Spezia for breaking 2 May 1967
