I am grateful to B.G. Spaldin and H.S. Appleyard for most of the information on this page.
The correct name for this company was the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company. It was founded in 1856 by Ralph Ward Jackson and incorporated the
West Hartlepool Steam Shipping Company wich dated from 1853 and which in turn originated with the West Hartlepool Shipping Company which had been
founded in 1849.
WHSNC was initially controlled by the West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company and took part in the coal trade and provided a twice weekly service to
Hamburg and a fortnightly service to St. Petersburg in season. The company purchased collieries and railways but in 1862 was found to be in breach of the
Act of Parliament under which the company had been formed as this limited activities to the harbour and railways. In 1862 Jackson resigned and
new directors were appointed. Ships were sold at a loss. A new company was formed but this was forced into liquidation in 1866 when the company's
bank collapsed.
In 1899 a limited liability company called The West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company Limited was formed with a capital of £500,000 and combined the
fleet of the old West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company with that of Mr. J.E. Guthe. Sir Christopher Furness was elected chairman and Guthe became
managing director. The new company operated in the tramp steamer trade, operated services to Gothenburg and Hamburg and a weekly service from Stockton
and Middlesbrough to Hamburg. Offices were opened in Cardiff and Newport and a service was operated jointly with Bucknall Line and F.C. Strick and
Co Ltd. from Manchester, Cardiff and London to the Persian Gulf.
In 1906 Mr. J.E. Guthe Jnr. joined the Board of Directors and the Dinsdalehall Steam Ship Company Limited was formed. The various tramp steamers were
regularly employed in the coal trade to the Danube and Black Sea ports bringing back grain to the UK. At the outbreak of WW1, the company steamer
Federation was in Hamburg but managed to avoid internment by leaving port in total darkness.
In 1914 the Wiltonhall Steam Ship Company Limited was formed and Boltonhall, which is included in the Allen Collection, was owned by
this company. With the loss of services to Hamburg and Gothenburg, the ships serving these routes were sold. J.E. Guthe died in 1916. He had brought
his three sons into the company. One of these was killed in action and another died shortly after his father leaving his remaining son Mr. J.E. Guthe.
In the early 1920s the company acquired some second-hand ships and took delivery of Grantleyhall in 1927. Despite the recession of the
1930s five more ships were ordered and built.
There were a number of losses in WW2 and the company provided accommodation for the Dutch firm Vinke and Company of Amsterdam until Holland was liberated.
In 1947 the company ventured into the fishing industry and had several deep-sea trawlers. In 1975 J.E. Guthe died and was succeeded by his son Digby Guthe.
In its latter years the company operated ships suitable for time charter to liner companies.
A check of Companies House shows the company to be dormant with the last documents filed in 2018.
Change of name to Merchant Knight and owner to Drake Sg Co Ltd 1948, change of name to Mai Rickmers and
owner to Rickmers-Linie mbH 1951. Taken to Kobe 30 December 1961 for breaking by Amakasu Sangyo Kisen.
Cylinders of bore 20", 28.5", 41.5", 61" and stroke 48"
Engine Builder
Cen. Mar. Engineering Works Ltd
Engine Builder Works
West Hartlepool
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
3 single-ended boilers operating at 260psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
441 NHP
Maximum Speed
10
Additional Construction Information
1 steel deck and shelter deck
Fitted with radio direction finding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
11 June 1930
Launched
August 1930
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 Ormos and owner to Ormos Sg Co Ltd 1946, change of name to Alpha Oranje and owher to
Alpha South African SS Co Ltd 1947, change of owner to Moller Line Ltd 1950, change of name to Eiko Maru and owner to
Toho Kaiun KK 1951, change of owner to Nichiro Gyogyo KK 1955. Taken to Sakai for breaking by Shinwa Kaiun 6 June 1961
2SCSA oil engine with 3 cylinders of bore 23 5/8" and stroke 91 5/16"
Engine Builder
W. Doxford & Sons
Engine Builder Works
Sunderland
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
2 double-ended boilers operating at 120 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
516 NHP
Maximum Speed
10
Additional Construction Information
2 decks and cruiser stern
Fitted with radio direction finding and echo sounding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
11 November 1943
Launched
25 March 1944
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 the British Government as Empire General. Change of name to Hendonhall and owner to
West Hartlepool SN Co Ltd 1947, change of name to Taxiarhis and owner to Lebanesa Ltda SA 1959, change of name to
Tony C. 1971. Taken to Skaramanga 24 April 1972 for breaking by Sidiremboriki.
Cylinders of bore 20", 28.5", 41.5", 61" and stroke 48"
Engine Builder
William Gray & Co. Ltd.
Engine Builder Works
Central Marine Engineering Works, West Hartlepool
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
3 single-ended boilers operating at 260 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
467 NHP
Maximum Speed
10.5
Additional Construction Information
1 deck and shelter deck
Fitted with radio direction finding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
18 June 1932
Launched
August 1932
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
Change of name to Stanhall and owner to Stanhope SS Co Ltd 1938. The vessel was sunk on 30 May 1940 by a
torpedo fired by German submarine U-101 at position 48° 59' N, 05° 17' W. Details of Merchant Navy casualties can be found on the
Benjidog Tower Hill website HERE.
Change of owner to Kepwick Sg Co Ltd 1961, change of name to Fidentia and owner to Metcalfe Sg Co Ltd 1966, change of name
to Premier Arctic and owner to Premier Sg Corp Inc 1972. Taken to Gadani Beach 30 May 1979 for breaking by Indus Steel Tdg Co.
Cylinders of bore 23", 37", 65" and stroke 45" plus low pressure turbine with DR gear and hydraulic coupling
Engine Builder
William Gray & Co. Ltd.
Engine Builder Works
Central Engineering Works West Hartlepool
Engine Builder Country
UK
Boiler Details
3 single-ended boilers operating at 220 psi
Propulsion Type
Single Screw
Power
548 NHP
Maximum Speed
11
Additional Construction Information
1 deck, shelter deck and cruiser stern
Fitted with radio direction finding equipment
Career Highlights
Date
Event
24 July 1937
Launched
October 1937
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 damaged on 19 March 1941 after hitting a mine whilst in Victoria Dock London and was sunk on 7 November 1942 by
torpedoes fired by German submarine U-508 at position 11° 34' N, 63° 26' W (off Venezuela). There are details of the
Merchant Navy casualties on the Benjidog Tower Hill website HERE.
Change of name to Sokorri and owner to Socoa Sg Co Ltd 1962, change of name to Panaghia Grigoroussa and owner to
Virgo Sg Co Ltd 1971, change of name to Buena Ventura II and owner to Manites Cia Naviera SA 1950. Taken to Gadani Beach
February 1977 for breaking by Indus Importers.
