Dunelmia Technical Specification

Steamship Dunelmia.

FOR LOCAL OWNERS

Launch at Gray’s Central Yard.

THE DUNELMIA

Northern Daily Mail, 21/9/29.

Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., yesterday launched from their Central Shipyard, West Hartlepool, the steel screw steamer Dunelmia, which is being built to the order of Messrs. Metcalfe Son and Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool.

The vessel will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register and is of the following dimensions: length over all, 434ft. 4in., breadth, 54ft. 3in., depth moulded to upper deck, 30ft. 1 in. with long bridge, poop and forecastle.

Constructed on the cellular double bottom principal, with fore and after peaks for water ballast, the framing being of the deep channel type, and has seven watertight bulkheads, together with a steel centre line bulkhead and wood shifting boards dividing the holds for grain carrying.

Spacious accommodation for the officers is arranged in a steel house amidships. The engineers will be berthed in large steel houses alongside the casing, and the crew in cubicles in the forecastle with separate mess rooms.

For the quick handling of cargo ten powerful steam winches are to be provided to work 12 derricks. A direct steam windlass forward and steam steering amidships are also to be fitted. The topmasts are telescopic, lowering to a height suitable for the Manchester Ship Canal Bridges.

The Dunelmia will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient wireless installation and electric light throughout.

                                                               THE ENGINES

Triple-expansion engines having cylinders 26-43-71 inches diameter, by 48 inches stroke and three boilers working at a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch will be supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders.

A number of auxiliaries of the “CMEW” type will be installed, including a pair of independent feed pumps, surface feed water heater, winch condenser, combined drain and scum tank, evaporator, general service pump, and two ballast pumps.

The ship and machinery are being built under the supervision of Mr J. B. Williams, of Williams Bros., Middlesbrough, on behalf of the owners, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Dunelmia was performed by Miss Caroline Metcalf, daughter of Mr. John Metcalf.

The owners were represented by Mr. John Metcalf and Mr R. B. Williams.

The builders were represented by Sir William Gray, Bart., chairman, Mr. F. C. Pyman, Managing director, Mr. T. McCarthy, director; Mr. T. S. Simpson General manager; Mr O. Stephenson, Secretary; and Mr. W. Hird Yard Manager. Amongst others present were Lady Gray, Mrs John Metcalf, Misses Jane and Ethel Metcalf, Masters Thomas and Ovington Metcalf, Mrs. Ovington Stephenson, Mrs. R. B. Williams, Mr. and Mrs J. J. Nattrass, Mr. T. Nattrass, Miss Muriel Nattrass, Mrs. R. H. Stephenson, Mrs. R. B. Carter, Miss Esther Stephenson, Master Geoffrey Stephenson, Miss McCarthey, Mr. and Mrs. H. McGoverne and Mr. McGoverne, junr., Messrs C. A. Millar and L. Storey, representing Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.

                                                               THE SPEECHES

After the launch the company was entertained by Sir William and Lady Gray at Tunstall Manor.

Sir William Gray, in proposing success to s.s. Dunelmia and in welcoming the guests, recalled that his firm had built the s.s. Manchuria in 1905 for Metcalf Simpson and Co., and expressed pleasure that they were to be building a steamer now for their successors – Metcalf, Son and Co., Ltd.

Since the days of the Manchuria shipbuilders had made great strides in the design of cargo carriers, and the ship that they had seen launched that afternoon – the result of exhaustive tests thaqt his firm had made in the test Tank – represented the latest fruits of their efforts.

                                                                EXAMPLE TO OTHERS

He felt sure the Dunelmia would prove economical to run, and would be a profitable investment for her owners, and he hoped that it would not be long before they had built up a fleet again – a result that they fully deserved for the enterprise and courage that they had shown under the guidance of Mr. John Metcalf in building a new steamer today.

Sir William added that it was interesting to recall that before the war there were no fewer than 30 shipowners in the Hartlepools. Today there were but six, and he would like to see others follow Messrs. Metcalf, Son and Co.’s example which could but benefit the town.

He then asked them to join in wishing the Dunelmia every success, coupling with that toast the name of the young lady who had so successfully performed the naming ceremony.

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                                                                AN OPTIMIST.
Mr John Metcalf, in replying, thanked Sir William for his speech. He said that when his firm decided to build a new steamer their first thought was to come to William Gray and Co. because of the confidence they had in them – a confidence that was based on previous experience – and they were very relieved that William Gray and Co. were able to give them a turn with a good delivery.

 Sir William had said that shipowners must have economical ships to be able to prosper in these days of keen competition. He thought that the saying “A shipowner is an optimist, and an optimist is a man who is still a ship owner,” summed up the situation. He, however, and his superintendent, Mr. Williams, were quite satisfied that in the Dunelmia they had a steamer that would give most economical results.

 In conclusion, Mr Metcalf said that he was very pleased to have the opportunity of wishing success to the builders William Gray and Co. Ltd.

FOR LOCAL OWNERS

S.S. DUNELMIA UNDERGOES SEA TRIALS

Northern Daily Mail, 25/10/29.

The steamer Dunelmia, built by Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool to the order of Messrs. Metcalfe Son and Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool, has successfully undergone her official sea trials.

The vessel takes highest class in Lloyd’s Register and is of the following dimensions: length over all, 434ft. 4in., breadth, 54ft. 3in., depth moulded to upper deck, 30ft. 1 in. with long bridge, poop and forecastle.

Constructed on the cellular double bottom principal, with fore and after peaks for water ballast, the framing being of the deep channel type, and has seven watertight bulkheads, together with a steel centre line bulkhead and wood shifting boards dividing the holds for grain carrying.Spacious accommodation for the officers is arranged in a steel house amidships. The engineers will be berthed in large steel houses alongside the casing, and the crew in cubicles in the forecastle with separate mess rooms.

                                                                   EQUIPMENT

For the quick handling of cargo ten powerful steam winches are to be provided which work 12 derricks. A direct steam windlass forward and steam steering amidships are also to be fitted. The topmasts are telescopic, lowering to a height suitable for the Manchester Ship Canal Bridges.

The Dunelmia will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient wireless installation and electric light throughout.

The propelling machinery, supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders, consists of triple-expansion engines having cylinders 26-43-71 inches diameter, by 48 inches stroke and three boilers working at a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch. A number of auxiliaries of the “CMEW” type are also fitted.

The owners were represented on the trials by Mr. John Metcalf, Mr. R. H. Campbell, and Mr R. B. Williams. , of Williams Bros., Middlesbrough, under whose supervision the ship and machinery have been constructed.

Owners: 1929 Metcalfe Shipping Co Ltd, West Hartlepool: 1951 Westralian Farmers Transport Co, London-renamed Swan River: 1955 Naviera Universo SA, Panama–renamed Nido: 1958 Antonio Garcia, Munte-Nuno, Barcelona

Lives lost 16 June 1945 on Dunelmia:

 MacDonald, Colin John, carpenter, 45, Sheffield; Wilson, Edward Geekie, 2^nd engineer.

Voyages: from the Tyne in February 1932 bound for Dover, Gibraltar, Oran, Buenos Aires & Rosario; from Barry in April 1933 bound for Buenos Aires, Bahia Blanca, Las Palmas & Hamburg; from the Tyne in April 1934 bound for Gibraltar, Oran, Buenos Aires & Rosario.

John Metcalfe was the son of Thomas Metcalfe of Metcalfe, Simpson & Co. He formed Metcalfe Shipping Co. Ltd., with the purchase of the first ship in 1929, the Dunelmia, built by William Gray & Co. They went on to own a further nine ships before selling the company to Furness, Withy & Co., in 1979.

When John died in 1971 his sons, Thomas and John Ovington Metcalfe, took over control of the company. By 1972, because of death duties, they kept just two tramp ships from the fleet. In 1976 they purchased the Industria, the third ship of that name, and in 1977 the Dunelmia, the fourth ship of that name.

Family History:

John Metcalfe was born at Stranton, Hartlepool in 1888 to parents Thomas Metcalfe and Mary Jane (nee Banks). John was appointed Swedish Vice-Consul for Hartlepool in 1920 and in 1944 was appointed Swedish Consul. John and his wife had three sons and a daughter lived at The Grove, West Hartlepool.

Thomas Metcalfe was born in 1916. In June 1946 Thomas helped to open a subscription for repairs to the Swedish church on the fringe of Hartlepool dockland which had suffered damage during the War. He was married at Sunderland on 26 June 1951 to Elizabeth Joan Clerey. Thomas reached the rank of Lieut. Colonel in the Royal Regiment of Artillery.  In 1955 he followed in his father’s footsteps by his appointment to the Swedish Vice-Consul for Hartlepool.

Thomas died on 30 May 1975 leaving effects of £116,897.

John Ovington Metcalfe was born at Middlesbrough on 19 June 1918. He was married in April 1951 at Whitby to Doreen Willis. John died aged 87 at Middlesbrough in November 2005.