Empire Sedley Gallery

The steamship Athina, originally built as the Empire Sedley.

SS EMPIRE SEDLEY

The following information has been transcribed by John Davies of the Teesside Branch of the World Ship Society, from the hand written Voyage Book – Details logged by Herbert Lawrence Hogg, Director of Smith Hogg & Co. Ltd.

O.N. 180069. Date & Port of Registry – 2/1944 West Hartlepool

Decks One Length forepart. Stem to forehead. Rudderstock 315.40 Masts One Main Breadth 46.53 Rigged Nor ?? Depth in Hold 23.00 Stem Straight depth from top of Deck amidships etc 25 . 3.5 Stern Cruiser Round of Beam 1.1 Build Clincher Length of Engine Room 44.0 Frame ?? Cargo Bulkheads 5 Watertight

No of Engines 1 Rec. Triple Expansion C.M.E.W. West Hartlepool 3 cylinders N.H.P. 281 No of Boilers 2 Steel : Pressure 200 lbs?? 20.31.55 x 39” 1 hp 1300 Est Speed 10 ¼ B.H.P. 1170
No of Water Ballast Tanks – 5: Capacity 621; FP 130; AP 115; Side 194 ; = 439  = 1060
Tonnage GROSS DEDUCTIONS Under Deck 2530.76 Prop. Space 929.74 Spaces - Forecastle 9.12 Seamen 207.83 Trunk Poop or ?? 67.70 Deck Houses 127.18 Side Houses, Bridgespaces 34.81 Deck Houses 176.33 Chart House Machinery 33.43 Excess Hatchway 53.30 2905.45 8222.42 metres ?? Deductions 1264.75 3579.24 metres ?? 1264.75 Registered tonnage 1640.70 4643.18 metres ??
Forecastle length 33.25 = 44.72 tons Bridge 76.00 = 190.64 tons Cargo Capacities Grain Bales No 1 Hold 52392 49478 No 2 Hold 66287 63497 No 3 Hold 90819 85863 Total Holds 209498 198838 Bridge Tween 9994 8983 Bridge Tween 7317 6690 Total Tween Deck 17311 15673 Total Holds & Tween Decks 226809 214511
Bunker Capacities: (45 cubic feet) ?? Engine Room (port) 89; Engine Room (starboard) 100; Coal Shoot 34; Total Permanent 223; Bridge Tween (port) 115 ; = 361
Bridge Tween (starboard) 93; Bridge Tween Deck 153; Total Bunkers 584
Winches 4 – 8” x 12” 8 – 7” x 10” Clark Chapman & Co Ltd Windlass 8¾” x 12” Clark Chapman & Co Ltd Steering gear 7” x 7” John Hastie
Suez Canal Tonnage capacity calculation 2272.14 Panama Canal Tonnage capacity calculation 3226.00
Plimsoll Load Line Details:
TF = Tropical fresh water F = Fresh water T = Tropical sea water S = Summer, sea water W = Winter, sea water WNA = Winter, North Atlantic LR = These letters indicate the registration society, in this case Lloyd’s Register.

Tonnage Capacities Draft Light Ship 7’ 8” S 4400 20’ 10 ¾ “ W 4247 20’ 5” WNA 4189 20’ 3” T 4553 21’ 3 ½” ???
11/12/1943 Launched from W’m Gray’s shipyard 3.45 pm.
14/12/1943 Engaged Chief Engineer Tindale.
1944 Various trials according to Gray’s plans.
23/02/1944 Vessel handed over in Irvine’s Dock. 8 tons of bunkers agreed. 10.30 am
26/02/1944 Steamer loaded, bunkers to trim required for test of heavy lifting gear.
27/02/1944 Steamer moved to C.M.E.W. pm.
28 & 29 /02/1944 Engaged on the testing of the derricks and the gear and re-stowing it.
01/03/1944 Returning ship to Hartlepool.
02/03/1944 Resumed loading.
03/03/1944 Finished loading and left for Middlesbrough @ 11.00 am.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold 968.10 No 2 Hold 1315.90 No 3 & 4 Holds 1671.60 Total Cargo 3955.50 Bunkers 194.00 Total 4149.50 20’ 4½”
03/03/1944 Arrived Middlesbrough for ?? 1.00 pm.
04/03/1944 Left Tees Bay 4.14 pm
06/03/1944 Arrived Southend passed ?? Arrived Cory’s Wharf ?? 6.00 pm.
08/03/1944 ?? Berthed Cory’s 3.00 pm.
10/03/1944 Discharged (put out of berth with 47 cargo ?? put into Thurrock to complete, this prevented sailing when cargo out.
11/03/1944 11/03/1944 Arrived Southend 5.00 pm.
12/03/1944 Left Southend 7.00 am.
15/03/1944 In Roads @ Grangemouth. Docked & berthed 2.00 pm 7.00 pm.

Voyage No 2 W. Knight - Watson 15/03/1944 Arrived Grangemouth 6.45 pm. Commenced loading 8.00 pm.
18/03/1944 Completed loading 11.35 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold 769.50 No 2 Hold 1411.16 No 3 Hold 1753.00 Total Cargo 3933.66 Bunkers 93.10 Bunkers on board 68.00 Total Bunkers 161.10 Total 4095.00 19/03/1944 Left Grangemouth
Passed St Abbs Head 10.00 am 6.35 pm.
21/03/1944 Passed Southend 3 to 4 pm. Arrived Royal Albert Dock (London) pm.
24/03/1944 Berthed Royal Albert Dock 3.15 pm.
26/03/1944 Discharged Royal Albert Dock am. Arrived Southend pm.
27/03/1944 Left Southend 9 / 10 pm.
29/03/1944 Passed St Abbs Head 3.00 pm.
30/03/1944 Arrived & Docked Grangemouth 9.00 pm Bunkers ?? = tons

Voyage No 3 Gillespie – T Mcol ??
30/03/1944 @ Grangemouth. Commenced loading 8.00 pm.
18/03/1944 Completed loading 3.50 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold 750.90 No 2 Hold 1531.13 No 3 Hold 1800.18 Total Cargo 4083.00 Bunkers 82.12 Bunkers on board 40.04 Total Bunkers 122.16 Total 4205.16 06/04/1944 Left Grangemouth 4.40 pm.
07/04/1944 Passed St Abbs Head ( ?? ) 3.00 pm.
09/04/1944 Arrived Southend. Arrived Royal Albert Dock (London) noon.
15/04/1944 Commenced Discharge.
Completed Discharge pm.
17/04/1944 Left Royal Albert Dock.
18/04/1944 Arrived Southend 12.15 am. Left Southend 6 to 7 am.
20/04/1944 Passed St Abbs Head 7.00 am.
21/04/1944 Arrived & Docked Grangemouth 1.10 pm

Voyage No 4 Gillespie – T Mcol ?? Anthrny & Bainbridge ??
21/04/1944 @ Grangemouth 1.10 pm. Commenced loading 3.00 pm.
26/04/1944 Completed loading 12.00 pm.
27/04/1944 Sailed for London 8.00 am.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold 845.10 No 2 Hold 1421.10 No 3 & 4 Holds 1751.70 Total Cargo 4017.90 Bunkers 152.30 Bunkers on board 77.00 Total Bunkers 229.30 Total 4246.12 27/04/1944 Passed St Abbs Head ( ?? ) 5.00 pm.
29/04/1944 Arrived London.
03/05/1944 Berthed, Discharge commenced pm.
06/05/1944 Finished Discharge 11.45 pm. Sailed 0.45 pm. Arrived Southend 3.50 pm.
07/05/1944 Left Southend 6.30 am.
09/05/1944 Arrived Grangemouth Roads am. Docked Grangemouth 4.00 pm.

Voyage No 5 W. Knight - Watson
09/05/1944 Arrived Grangemouth 4.00 pm. Commenced loading 8.00 pm. 
13/05/1944 Completed loading 3.45 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold No 2 Hold No 3 & 4 Holds Total Cargo 3994.20 Bunkers 167.50 Bunkers on board 80.00 Total Bunkers 247.00 Total 4241.70 was 91¾ ??
13/05/1944 Left Grangemouth 6.30 pm.
14/05/1944 Passed St Abbs Head 6.19 pm.
16/05/1944 Passed in @ Southend ?? 1/2.00 pm. Arrived London, buoys off Albert Dock Hoist pm. 
18/05/1944 Berthed Hoist entrance Albert Dock 11.00 am.
19/05/1944 Finished Discharge 10.45 am. Sailed 12.45 am. At Southend - anchored 3.00 pm. 20/05/1944 Left Southend 5./6.00 am.
21/05/1944 Passed Flamborough Head 3.00 pm.
22/05/1944 Arrived Blyth 6.40 am Bunkers remaining 127 Tons.

Voyage No.6 
???? ????
22/05/1944 Arrived Blyth 6.40 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft No 1 Hold 853.11 No 2 Hold 1286.12 No 3 & 4 Holds 1816.10 Total Cargo 3956.13 Bunkers 80.00 Bunkers on board 120.00 Total Bunkers 200.00 Total ??4156.16 26/05/1944 Left Blyth 7.35 pm.
28/05/1944 Anchored Southend 5.00 am.
29/05/1944 Left Southend 8.00 am. Arrived London, West Thurrock.
30/05/1944 Discharge began 7.00 am.
01/06/1944 Finished Discharge 10.30 am. Passed Tilbury noon. Left London. Anchored Southend  5.00 pm. 
02/06/1944 Left Southend 5.00 am.
04/06/1944 Arrived Blyth 9.30 pm Bunkers remaining 100 Tons.

Voyage No 7 ???? ????
04/06/1944 @ Blyth 9.30 pm.
10/06/1944 Loaded 8.25 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft Estimated Actual No 1 Hold 860.01 No 2 Hold 1329.01 No 3 & 4 Holds 1834.15 Total Cargo 4023.17 Bunkers 104.12 Bunkers on board 100.00 Total Bunkers 204.12 Total ??4227.29
11/06/1944 Left Blyth for London pm.
13/06/1944 @ Southend. Left Southend. Arrived London, West Thurrock 3.30 pm.
14/06/1944 Commenced Discharge am.
16/06/1944 Completed Discharge, sailed, Anchored Southend 7.00 pm.
17/06/1944 Left Southend 4.30 am.
18/06/1944 Passed Flamborough Head.
19/06/1944 Arrived Blyth 3.15 am. Bunkers remaining 118 Tons.

Voyage No 8
???? ????
19/06/1944 Arrived @ Blyth 3.50 am.
23/06/1944 Loaded 8.25 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft Estimated Actual Total Cargo 3949.40 Bunkers 105.16 Bunkers on board 110.00 Total Bunkers 215.16 Total ??4175.00
23/06/1944 Left Blyth 8.40 pm.
25/06/1944 Passed Southend 1.00 pm. Arrived London, West Thurrock 4.05 pm.
27/06/1944 Discharge Commenced 11.50 pm.
29/06/1944 Completed Discharge 5.00 pm. Left West Thurrock 6.45 pm. Arrived Southend.  
30/06/1944 Left Southend 5 to 6 am.
01/07/1944 Arrived Blyth 4.40 pm. Bunkers remaining 126 Tons.

Voyage No 9
???? ????
01/07/1944 Arrived @ Blyth 4.40 pm.
06/07/1944 Loaded 10.50 pm.
Cargo & Bunker details (Tons) Draft Estimated Actual No 1 Hold 1857.15 No 2 Hold 2139.00 No 3 & 4 Holds ?? Total Cargo 3949.40 Bunkers 78.05 Bunkers on board 120.00 Total Bunkers 198.05 Total ??4228.17
07/07/1944 Left Blyth for London 6.00 pm.
09/07/1944 Arrived Southend 1.30 pm. Arrived West Thurrock pm. 
30/06/1944 Left Southend 5 to 6 am.
01/07/1944 Arrived Blyth 4.40 pm. Bunkers remaining 126 Tons.

Official No. 180069: Code Letters MQKW.

Owners: 1943 MOWT (managed by Smith, Hogg & Co) West Hartlepool: 1945 French Government-renamed Intendant J. Patriza: 1949 Les Cargo Algerienns, Algeria-renamed Menher Braz: 1957 Pamel Shipping Co (PA Michaelides) Monrovia-renamed Athina

1944 Empire Sedley was carrying coal from Blyth for Power Stations on the Thames.

Athina caught fire at St Louis du Rhone, Marseille on 14 March 1962 & was broken up at La Seyne.

The Company was founded on May 2nd 1904 by Thomas Graham Smith of Newcastle and Herbert Lawrence Hogg of West Hartlepool who were initally shipbrokers and managers. The following month they purchased their first ship, the Constantinos Stathatos, for £10,500 and re-named her Beechburn. 

Smith, Hogg & Co. entered the Second World War with three ships; Arkleside, Roseburn and Magdalena, all three of which were sadly lost through enemy action before the end of 1940. The company then managed a number of ships for the British Government until 1947, including Empire Knoll, Empire Hurst and Empire Sedley, after which it reverted to shipbroking and port agency. Its activities were taken over in 2005 by its associate firm Cockfield, Knight & Co. Ltd., now part of Middlesbrough-based A. V. Dawson Ltd.

Family History:

Thomas Graham Smith of Newcastle was born in 1878 to parents George Forster (druggist) and Mary Jane (nee Dunford). He was married at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1908 to Annie Gibson Davidson. By 1911 they were living at Wilton Avenue and later moved to ‘Long Fens’ Park Avenue. Thomas  was branch manager at West Hartlepool of Dunford & Elliott, a Newcastle-on-Tyne firm.

Thomas died on 28 July 1960 leaving effects of £44,709.

Herbert Lawrence Hogg was born on 6 August 1879 at Howden le Wear to parents William Lambert and Jane Thornton (nee French). The family moved to Hartlepool in December 1888. William was a first engineer on the S.S. Hartlepools and drowned at sea in 1888, at about the same time the move was taking place. Herbert’s mother, left with six young children, secured an appointment as headmistress of Lynnfield School. In 1894 Herbert was with John Coverdale & Sons, and then Maclean, Doughty & Co., before becoming secretary of Fawcett & Garnett of West Hartlepool. By 1901 Herbert and his family were living at 38 York Road, West Hartlepool. He married Constance Rowe in 1911 and they lived at The Grove. Herbert was elected to the town council in 1826. In 1934 he became mayor and held that position for two years.

Herbert died at Hartlepool on 21 July 1971.