Thorpwood

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.

Steamship Thorpwood.

LAUNCH AT WEST HARTLEPOOL

Northern Daily Mail, Jan 22/12

Yesterday, Messrs. William Gray and Company, Limited. launched the handsome steel screw steamer Thorpwood, which they have built for Messrs Constantine and Pickering Steamship Company, Middlesbrough.

She will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register, and is of the following dimensions, viz.: Length over all, 346ft. 6in.; breadth, 48ft.; and depth, 24ft. 10 in., with long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle.

The saloon, staterooms, captain’s, officers, and engineers’ rooms, etc., will be fitted up in houses on the bridge deck, and the crew’s berths in the forecastle.

The hull is built with deep bulb-angle frames, cellular double bottom, and large aft peak ballast tank, six steam winches, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, patent direct steam windlass, large patent vertical donkey boiler, shifting boards throughout, stockless anchors, boats on deck overhead, telescopic masts, with fore and aft rig, and all requirements for a first class cargo steamer.

Triple-expansion engines are being supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders, having cylinders 24in., 38in., and 64in. diameter, with a piston stroke of 42in., and two large steel boilers for a working pressure of 180lbs. per square inch.

The ship and machinery have been built under the supervision of Mr. William Constantine on
behalf of the owners, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Thorpwood was gracefully
performed by Miss Constantine, Toft House, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.



TRIAL TRIP OF THE s. s. THORPWOOD

Northern Daily Mail, March 11/12

Yesterday, the handsome steel screw steamer Thorpwood, was taken from the yard of Messrs. Wm Gray and Co, Ltd., for her trial trip. The vessel has been built for Messrs Constantine and Pickering Steamship Company, Middlesbrough.

She takes Lloyd’s highest class, and he principal dimensions are : Length over all, 346ft. 6in.; breadth, 48ft.; and depth, 24ft. 10 in.

Triple-expansion engines have been supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders, having cylinders 24in., 38in., and 64in. diameter, with a piston stroke of 42in., and two large steel boilers for a working pressure of 180lbs. per square inch. The engine room is also replete
with an evaporator, duplex pumps and other auxiliaries of the “C.M.E.W.” make.

After adjustment of compasses, the vessel was taken to Middlesbrough, at which port she takes in her first cargo. On the run round a speed of 11 knots was attained.

The trial was witnessed on behalf of the owners by Mr. Wm. Constantine, that gentleman having also superintended the construction of the ship and her machinery. There were also on board Mr. W. Constantine, junr., Captain Cuthbert, Mr. I’Anson, and Mr. Harrowing , of Whitby. Captain White was in command.