Harpagus

LAUNCH AT WEST HARTLEPOOL

(Northern) Daily Mail April 26/10

Yesterday, Messrs. William Gray and Company, Ltd., launched the handsome steel screw steamer Harpagus, which they have built to the order of Messrs. J. and C. Harrison, Ltd., London    She will take the highest class in Lloyd’s and is of the following dimensions, viz.: Length over all, 441ft., breadth, 53ft. 6in.; and depth, 31ft. 8 in.; with two decks laid, extra long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle.

The saloon, with teak panelling, staterooms, captain’s and 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 frames, clear holds, cellular double bottom, and large aft and fore peak ballast tanks. Ten steam winches, return exhaust and winch condenser, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, patent direct steam windlass, shifting boards, stockless anchors, telescopic masts fore and aft rig, boats on deck overhead and ventilation sufficient for the Eastern trade. The vessel is fitted with electric light throughout and all requirements for a first class cargo steamer have been provided.

Triple-expansion engines are being supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders, having cylinders 28in., 45in., and 75in. with a piston stroke of **in., and four large steel boilers adapted for a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch worked by Howden’s system of forced draught, bronze propeller etc.
 
The hull and machinery have been constructed under the superintendence of Messrs. C.M. Buls and Partners on behalf of the owners, the ceremony of naming the steamer Harpagus was gracefully performed by Miss Jeannette Harrison, Great House Court, East Grinstead.
    

TRIAL TRIP OF THE s.s. HARPAGUS

NEW FEATURES OF LOCALLY BUILT SHIP.

(Northern) Daily Mail June 13/10

In these days of low freights, it is only those who obtain the most economical vessels who are able to meet the keen competition now ruling the shipping world. The desire of Messrs. J. and C. Harrison, Ltd., London, to keep their fleet up-to-date and so enable them to remain in the front rank of progressive shipowners is shown in the handsome steel screw steamer Harpagus, which was taken out to sea on Saturday. This is the eighth vessel built by Messrs. Wm Gray and Co, Ltd., to the order of Messrs. J. and C. Harrison.

The Harpagus has been built to Lloyd’s highest class and is of the following dimensions, viz.: Length over all, 441ft., breadth, 53ft. 6in.; and depth, 31ft. 8 in.; with two decks laid, extra long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle. All requirements for a first class cargo steamer have been provided.

The machinery has been supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders. The main propelling engines are of the triple-expansion type, with cylinders 28in., 45in., and 75in. with a piston stroke of 51in. A leading feature in the design is the very large port openings in the cylinders to insure an easy passage for the steam, and so obtain the maximum efficiency from it. The main condenser also has been designed to maintain a high vacuum in all seas, whilst special attention has been given to insure a high temperature in the boiler feed water. During the trial a vacuum of 28 ½ inches of mercury was maintained with the barometer standing at 29 ½ .

Steam is generated in four large steel boilers of the builders well known ”flanged shell” type at a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch which in conjunction with Howden’s system of forced draught, will enable the vessel to maintain a speed of 11 knots per hour at sea.

The engine-room auxiliaries are very complete, and include a number of duplex pumps of the builders “Cmews” type and also one of the large atmospheric type winch condensers.

Special attention has been paid in the design and construction of the vessel and machinery to insure the utmost economy in fuel and upkeep. With this in view the vessel has been built  with fine lines and a bronze propeller has been fitted, which, with the special features of the engine design named abouve, will enable the maximum amount of cargo to be carried a fair average speed on a very low consumption of coal.

The hull and machinery have been constructed under the superintendence of Messrs. C.M. Burls and Partners on behalf of the owners, and Mr. Crandell of that firm, witnessed the trial. Mr. Frank Harrison represented the owners; Mr. McAuslan and Mr. Innes, Lloyd’s Register; Captain Murrell, the builders; and Mr. Gibb the central Marine Engine Works.

A speed of 13 ½ knots was obtained, the performance of the ship and machinery being entirely satisfactory.

After the trial the vessel proceeded on her voyage, under the command of Capt. Johnsen.

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.