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GIRDLENESS

Shipbuildervessel built by Alexander HALL & Co. (Footdee, Aberdeen)

DateOctober 1883

Object NameSCREW STEAMER

MediumIRON

ClassificationsShip

Dimensionslength 171.7' x breadth 26.7' x depth 13.1'
gross tonnage 600 tons (net 383)

Object numberABDSHIP001203

Keywords

Aberdeen Built Ships

About MeYard: Alexander Hall & Co.
Yard Number: 316
Official Number: 88852
Subsequent Names: OTAVA (1916); ASTRO (1930); BELLA (1935); IRIMA

Fate: Lost on 19 October 1935 on passage from Gdynia to Helsingfors, sunk after striking a rock to the south of Oesel Island. Eleven lives lost. Two survivors.

Propulsion: Steam
Description: One deck, two masts, schooner rigged, round stern, clench built, no gallery, no head, iron framework, cargo vessel, five bulkheads, two x 110 ton ballast tanks.

Owners:
1883: John Cook, Aberdeen; Peter Hunter, 113 Belsize Road, London, 3 shares.
1916: Sold to John Nuriminen of Raumo, Finland but money never received due to Russian Revolution.
1919: Latus Linsey & Co. Ltd., Hull.
1930: J. Molden, Goteborg, Sweden
1935: A.B. Carlsson, Goteborg

Masters:
1884: Master G. Dawson.
1898: Master J. J. Bannerman.
1910: Master J. Stephen.
1914: Master J. Stephen.

General History:
01/01/1884:
Steamer GIRDLENESS arrived Portland 31 Dec. was assisted in by steamer RATHLIN, having been in collision with ship SAPPHIRE about 12 miles west of Portland. GIRDLENESS had to be beached for safety, her main compartment being cut clean through & fore compartment full of water. GIRDLENESS was on voyage Belfast-London and cargo is supposed to be lost. The captain arranged with Lloyd's agent for pumps and a tug and will endeavour to get the ship to Weymouth [After working though the night, vessel was towed into Weymouth harbour next morning - Morning Post, 2/1/1884]
(Pall Mall Gazette)

16/07/1886:
GIRDLENESS, steamer, reported on 9th as having grounded at Balta sound [Shetland], has been floated off the rocks.
(Freeman's Journal)

03/05/1887:
1038 bales straw brought to Aberdeen from Dunkirk by steamer GIRDLENESS.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

12/08/1887:
Steamer GIRDLENESS left for Stettin with over 3000 barrels herring.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

30/10/1888:
Fire broke out yesterday on board steamer GIRDLENESS, at present berthed in Burntisland harbour. Captain, his wife and several of crew had narrow escape. Damage to vessel estimated at £300. Fire supposed to have been caused by overheating of boilers. Capt. Bannerman was awakened by smell of smoke. Whole interior of cabin, chart room and sleeping berths have been destroyed. Harbour master Capt. Galloway together with dock gatemen succeeded in extinguishing the flames.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

29/07/1889:
Steamer GIRDLENESS, Capt. Bannerman, arrived Aberdeen from Rafao with wooden batten for George Milne & Co.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

01/08/1889:
Steamer GIRDLENESS left Aberdeen for Libau [Russia] with 5595 barrels herring.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

17/02/1890:
Heavy gale at Aberdeen - only one vessel, steamer GIRDLENESS from Sunderland with coals, arrived on yesterday's morning tide. Swell inside harbour caused her to damage coping of Blakie's Quay. Also cargo shifted and caused considerable list to port.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

28/02/1891
Shipping dispute - deputation from seaman's union called upon Messrs John Cook & Son, owners of GIRDLENESS and asked them to discharge the members at Aberdeen and not Gloucester so they would not have to pay the fare back to Aberdeen. Firm refused.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

09/11/1892:
High court admiralty division - appeal by John Cook & Co., Aberdeen, against judgement at Liverpool holding them liable for damage to cargo of beans carried in their steamer GIRDLENESS from Saffi [Morocco] to Liverpool. Plaintiffs alleged beans were damaged due to want of sufficient dunnage [mats etc. stored under or among cargo to prevent moisture and chaffing], Cook's appeal dismissed. Damages due £157.0.7d, but freight due Cooks £733.0.3d.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

07/10/1895:
British steamer GIRDLENESS ran into a coal hulk at Gibraltar and had her port bulwarks slightly damaged.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)

Note: Contract Price £11,500 (Builder's List in the Lloyd's Library of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Engine by Hall Russell - Steam, screw, two, compound, surface condensing, inverted, direct acting, 22 and one half"and 44" diameter with 30" stroke. 80 H.P.
3 p.f. Furnaces, with 1339 feet squared heating area and 100 psi.
1893: New cast iron propeller supplied by HR under Order No. 00/93. Propeller bored out and key way cut on 28th February.