ZAFIRO
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
Date1884
Object NameSCREW STEAMER
MediumSTEEL
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 213' 7" x breadth 31' 8" x depth 21' 3"
Gross Tonnage: 1062 ton
Gross Tonnage: 1062 ton
Object numberABDSHIP001879
Keywords
Yard Number: 236
Official Number: 88829
Subsequent names: USS ZAFIRO (1898), ZAFIRO (1910), BOWLER (1917), BELEN QUEZADA (1919)
Fate: Scrapped in Guayaquil in 1925.
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Passenger steamer, 1 deck with awning deck.
Owners:
1884: China and Manila Steam Ship Co.
1898-1910: United States Navy (decommissioned in 1904)
1910: J.W. Zeeve, Seattle
1910: Mexican government
1917: G. A. Godson, Vancouver
General History:
The ZAFIRO was the first steel steam vessel launched in Aberdeen.
16/01/1884: Launched. Named by Miss Forbes of Ernan Lodge. Captain to be Robert Talbot. Fourth steamer built for these owners. Built for trade to Amoy, Hong Kong and Manilla. ZAFIRO could carry 30 1st class and 200 2nd class passengers.
15/02/1884:
(advert) For Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila, direct from Aberdeen, steel A1 new screew steamer ZAFIRO, will sail about 26 Feb. Has superior accommodation for saloon passengers, passage money £40.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
26/02/1884:
Trial trip of S.S. ZAFIRO - handsomely modelled, first steel steam ship constructed at Aberdeen, specially designed for trade between Amoy, Hong Kong and Manila. Is fitted with new design of compass intended to give greater steadiness. Saloon is beautifully fitted up with satin wood and birds eye maple. Staterooms and bathrooms are large and well ventilated, with accommodation for 30 first class and 300 second class passengers. Complete set of awnings cover the deck fore and aft. Steam supplied by 2 large boilers, feeding compound surface condensing engines of 200 h.p.Vessel made trip to sea of 4 hrs, during which she achieved mean speed of 13 knots. Presents as trim an appearance as any vessel which has left port of Aberdeen.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
20/03/1884:
On voyage East from Aberdeen reported at Suez Canal 20 March
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
24/04/1884:
At Singapore
(Glasgow Herald)
08/05/1884:
At Hong Kong
(Glasgow Herald).
13/04/1885:
Steamer ZAFIRO reported ashore on Rees Island, Swaton, S.China coast.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
14/14/1885:
ZAFIRO badly holed and full of water.
(York Herald)
18/09/1891:
Death of Capt. Robert Taylor, age 41, of well known seafaring family and very skillful mariner. Superintended in Aberdeen construction of steamer ZAFIRO, of which he was part owner, sailed this vessel to China and successfully engaged in the coasting trade there. Commanded several of steamers built by Hall Russel for China trade. Returned to his country a few months ago on account of illness.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
20/11/1894:
Steamer ZAFIRO, ashore at Amoy, was got off slightly damaged, discharging cargo and effecting temporary repairs in dock. Will proceed to Hong Kong.
(Liverpool Mercury)
09/04/1898: Purchased by Admiral Dewey at Hong Kong. Commissioned USNC ZAFIRO, 10 April 1898, at Hong Kong. Armament two 37mm revolving cannons (1900).
10/06/1904: Decommissioned, at Cavite Navy Yard, Luzon, Philippines
15/01/1906: Struck from the Naval Register.
21/10/1910: Final Disposition, sold to Mr. J.W. Zeeve, Seattle, WA. For further details and photograph of this vessel: Paul H. Silverstone (1970)."U.S.Warships of World War One"
1841
