The steamship General Radetzky taken in Vlissingen (Flushing) around 1910. Behind the bridge/funnel part of a Fairbairn steam crane is visible. Originally the 'Iona'
More detail »This section will, in time, contain the stories of more than 450 merchant ships built or owned in the Hartlepools, and which were lost during the First World War. As an illustration of the truly global nature of shipbuilding, these ships were owned by companies from 22 different countries, including more than 30 sailing under the German flag at the outbreak of war.
Fritz Herskind owned ships from the early 1870's. Herksind & Woods was formed in 1884 between Fritz and Peter Herskind and James Jabez Woods. The partnership was dissolved by mutual consent on the 20th August 1892. On 31st August 1892 the Company became known as Herskind & Co. with the main shareholders Fritz and his father Peter.
Five of Fritz's early ships were built by Matthew Pearse and two by Ropner. All of his subsequent ships were built in West Hartlepool and all appear to have been purchased new.
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Official No. 97376: Code Letters LJVG.
Owners: 1889 F Herskind & JJ Woods, West Hartlepool: 1894 Herskind & Co, West Hartlepool: 1911 Seeberg Bros, Riga -renamed General Radetskiy
Masters: 1890-1900 J Cranston: 1903-08 W Coward: 1909 J Merrifield: 1911 TS Ayers.
Bound from West Hartlepool for the Delaware Breakwater in ballast & with a total crew of 24 the Iona suffered an accident to her machinery in the North Atlantic on 18 December 1891. 1 life lost.
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