Kapunda Technical Specification

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.

A colour-tinted postcard of the steamship Kapunda.

Sailed to & from Australian ports:

Crew April 1909: Aitken, Charles, able seaman, 23, Shetland; Allen, JH, fireman, 23, Adelaide; Brown, JE, fireman, 29, South Wales; Burgess, William, able seaman, 27, Shetland; Canter, C, trimmer, 23, London; Courtney, J, fireman, 24, Victoria; Crawley, C, trimmer, 21, Melbourne; Deakin, C, bed room steward, 31, Melbourne; Denholme, N, Mrs, stewardess, 36, Scotland; Dobson, TS, chief engineer, 35, Glasgow; Dunn, WJ, able seaman, 40, London; Forsythe, F, donkeyman, 35, Sunderland; Grant, L, ordinary seaman, 17, Williamstown; Hunter, A, trimmer, 27, Glasgow; Hunter, JW, 3rd officer, 31, Shetland; Hunter, W, 2nd officer, 26, Shetland; Jackson, J, fireman, 24, Stockton-on-Tees; Jamieson, G, saloon waiter, 22, Liverpool; Johnson, P, chief officer, 40, Shetland; Kennedy, J, mess room, steward, 22, West Hartlepool; Leask, A, able seaman, 19, Shetland; Leask, James, boatswain, 40, Shetland; Leask, JJ, master; Leask, PJ, able seaman, 42, Shetland; Linton, W, greaser, 31, West Hartlepool; Mason, G, trimmer, 26, Lambeth; Maurer, A, fireman, 32, France; McKean, W, pantryman, 39, Scotland; Measor, BG, 3rd engineer, 23, England; Murphy, T, 3rd cook, 47, Ireland; Nash, P, trimmer, 27, Williamstown; Nicholson, T, fireman, 36, Liverpool; Page, George, chief cook, 33, Liverpool; Reynolds, W, boy, 17, Brighton; Richardson, J, greaser, 46, West Hartlepool; Robertson, WR, able seaman, 25, Shetland; Robinson, J, carpenter, 26, West Hartlepool; Rose, RP, 2nd steward, 34, Scotland; Skinner, TH, bedroom steward, 27, England; Spring, George, 2nd engineer, 30, Scotland; Wall, J, trimmer, 27, London; Warnock, JA, 4th engineer, 27, Paisley; White, AW, 2nd cook, 31, London; Wildie, Miss M, fore cabin, stewardess, 30, NSW; Willot, J, chief steward, 46, Glasgow; Wilson, S, fore cabin, steward, 30, New Zealand.  

Passengers April 1909: Anderson, R, Mr; Aldridge, C, Mr; Bourke, E, Mr; Caper, Mr; Carritt, Mr F; Clark, J, Mr; Coo, J, Mr; Cunningham, L, Mr; Chantry, F, Mr; Clinton, J, Mr; Cook, J, Mr; Cremin, Miss; Deane, Mrs; Deane, H, Mr; Downey, E, Miss; Flanders, Mr; Frost, A, Mr; Frost, J, Mr; Hendry, Mr; Hodgson, Mr; Howitz, Mrs; Humphries, A, Mr; Kilp, E, Mrs; Kinning, R, Mr; Larsen, Mrs; Lefroy, Mr; Macnee, Mr; Main, J, Mr; Maugan, Miss; Maugan, E, Miss; McDuglas, HJ, Mr; McLarty, Mr; Minnear, Miss; Minton, Miss; Morley, Mr; Pearson, O, Mr; Pearson, R, Mr; Proctor, Mrs & 2 children; Richardson, Miss; Richardson, Mrs; Rurves, Miss; Sadler, Miss; Sullivan, Mrs & 4 children; Taylor, Mr; Taylor, Mrs; Tronson, Mr; Turner, Miss; Venderbreft, Mr; Watkins, Reverend Doctor; Watson, Mrs & 2 children; Webb, F, Mr; Woods, Miss; Zinck, Mr.

Crew July 1909: Aitken, C, able seaman, 23, Shetland; Allen, JH, trimmer, 23, Adelaide; Barrett, E, donkeyman, 36, Liverpool; Burgess, W, able seaman, 27, Shetland; Canter, C, trimmer, 23, London; Courtney, JE, fireman, 24, Victoria; Deakin, C, pantryman, 30, Melbourne; Denholm, N, Mrs, saloon stewardess, 37, Scotland; Evans, TD, 3rd cook, 32, Gippsland; Gleeson, J, saloon waiter, 28, Sydney; Grant, L, ordinary seaman, 17, Williamstown; Hunter, A, trimmer, 27, Glasgow; Hunter, JW, 3rd officer, 31, Shetland; Hunter, William, 2nd officer, 26, Shetland; Jackson, J, fireman, 24, London; Jamison, G, bedroom steward, 21, Liverpool; Johnson, P, chief officer, 40, Shetland; Joy, E, trimmer, 18, London; Kennedy, J, messroom steward, 22, West Hartlepool; Leask, A, able seaman, 19, Shetland; Leask, J, boatswain, 40, Shetland; Leask, JJ, master; Leask, PJ, able seaman, 42, Shetland; Leask, R, able seaman, 25, Shetland; Linton, W, greaser, 31, West Hartlepool; Mason, G, fireman, 26, Stockton-on-Tees; Maurer, A, fireman, 32, France; McKean, W, bedroom steward, 39, Scotland; McPhail, D, carpenter, 28, Oban; Measor, BG, 3rd engineer, 23, England; Murphy, J, fireman, 36, Cork; Nash, P, trimmer, 26, Williamstown; Page, George, chief cook, 33, Liverpool; Reynolds, W, ordinary seaman, 17, Brighton; Richardson, J, greaser, 46, West Hartlepool; Robertson, W, able seaman, 28, Shetland; Roey, E, trimmer, 23, Williamstown; Rose, RP, 2nd steward, 34, Scotland; Scott, JM, able seaman, 23, Scotland; Spring, G, chief engineer, 31, Scotland; Tannahill, N, trimmer, 32, Birkenhead; Walker, A, 2nd engineer, 33, Scotland; Warnoch, JA, 4th engineer, 27, Paisley; White, AW, 2nd cook, 31, London; Wildie, M, Miss, fore cabin stewardess, 30, NSW; Willott, J, chief steward, 46, Glasgow; Wilson, S, fore cabin steward, 30, New Zealand; Horan, E, passage worker; Leary, PO, passage worker; Boyd, J, passage worker; Harrison, J, passage worker.

Passengers July 1909: Moore, P, Mr; Proven, Mrs & 2 male children; Tanner, Mrs & child; Eville, Mrs; Mundell, Mrs & child; Brandon, Miss; Presland, Mr ; Presland, Mrs & 2 children;

Marks, Mr; Davies, Reverend; Syme, DY, Mrs; Bennett, Mr; Donohue, Mr; Kirby, Mr; Herman, Mr; Simpson, Mr; Benjerman, Mr; Gillott, RJ, Mr; Hardy, Mrs & 4 children.

Crew October 1909: Aitken, C, able seaman, 23, Shetland; Allen, JH, fireman, 23, Adelaide; Burgess, W, able seaman, 27, Shetland; Burnett, A, saloon waiter, 25, Sydney; Canter, C, fireman, 21, London; Courtney, JE, fireman, 24, Victoria; Denholm, N, Mrs, saloon stewardess, 37, Scotland; Ede, C, pantryman, 40, Southampton; Eldridge, JW, trimmer, 31, London; Fox, W, fireman, 35, Bradford; Grant, L, ordinary seaman, 17, Williamstown; Harrison, GH, 2nd cook, 36, Liverpool; Hunter, JW, 3rd officer, 31, Shetland; Jackson, J, greaser, 24, Stockton-on-Tees; Johnson, P, chief officer, 40, Shetland; Johnston, A, bedroom steward, 35, Melbourne; Joy, E, trimmer, 18, London; Kane, JO, 3rd cook, 31, Glasgow; Leask, A, able seaman, 19, Shetland; Leask, J, boatswain, 40, Shetland; eask, JJ, master; Leask, PJ, able seaman, 42, Shetland; Leask, R, able seaman, 25, Shetland; Linton, W, greaser, 31, West Hartlepool; Litzer, G, trimmer, 41, Hamburg; Lock, JB, 2nd engineer, 38, Melbourne; Madden, L, trimmer, 36, London; McKeane, W, fore cabin steward, 39, Scotland; McKnight, J, trimmer, 24, USA; McPhail, D, carpenter, 28, Shetland; Measor, BG, 3rd engineer, 23, England; Murphy, J, fireman, 36, Cork; Page, George, chief cook, 33, Liverpool; Parker, H, trimmer, 27, Blythe; Paterson, R, mess room steward, 25, Scotland; Reynolds, W, ordinary seaman, 17, Williamstown; Richardson, J, donkeyman, 46, West Hartlepool; Robertson, PT, 2nd officer, 26, Shetland; Robinson, W, able seaman, 28, Shetland; Rose, RP, 2nd steward, 34, Scotland; Scott, JM, able seaman , 23, Shetland; Sheggs, George, bedroom steward, 35, London; Spring, George, chief engineer, 50, Scotland; Tyler, E, trimmer, 35, Christchurch; Warnock, JA, 4th engineer, 27, Paisley; Wilcox, J, chief steward, 46, Glasgow; Wildie, M, Miss, fore cabin stewardess, 30, NSW.

Passengers October 1909: Ashton, Mr; Ashton, Mrs; Barker, Mr; Begg, Mr; Bichieford, Mr; Brown, Miss 

Church, Mr; Craig, Mr; Craig, Mrs; Cumings, Mr; Davis, W, Mr; Dodds, E, Mr; Erickson, A, Mr; Feast, Mrs; Freiband, Miss; Freiband, Mrs; Gruin, Mr; Harst, Mr; Hayes, Mr; Hayes, Mrs & 3 children; Hodges, Mr; Hollberg, Mr; Kating, Mr; Kitchener, A, Mr; Leber, Mrs; Lucas, F, Mr; Martin, Mr; Matson, Mr; Maxtrudge, Mr; McAvoy, A, Mr; McSourlly, Miss; Nelson, Miss ; Pendergast, Miss; Redfield, F, Mr; Ryan, JD, Mr ; Shepherd, Mr; Sullivan, Mr; Treweeke, Mr; Vernon, Mr; Webb, RB, Reverend. 

NEW PASSENGER STEAMER

LAUNCH AT WEST HARTLEPOOL

Daily Mail, October 28th 1908.

Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., yesterday launched the handsome steel screw steamer Kapunda, which they have built to the order of the Melbourne Steamship Co., Ltd., Melbourne. The vessel will have a Board of Trade passenger certificate and takes the highest class in Lloyd’s. Her dimensions are:  Length over all, 341ft.; breadth.; 45ft.; depth, 23ft 9in. She has a full poop, extra long bridge, and a topgallant forecastle, the bulwarks being carried same height as the bridge, with large doors for taking in cattle and cargo.

There will be a handsome and specially lofty dining saloon, in a house on bridge deck, fitted up in light oak, with morocco leather upholstery and party tables, having large skylight overhead with ornamental glass and a music-room leading off the saloon similarly fitted up, with a handsome piano specially built to stand the Australian climate. The gentleman’s smoke room, buffet, and bar will be fitted up in mahogany, and on the large promenade deck above will be a handsomely-furnished ladies boudoir.

There will also be accommodation for a large number of first class passengers, in addition to stewards and stewardesses, in houses on the bridge deck, and for third class passengers accommodation is made in poop and poop deck houses, the officers, engineers, and crew being housed in the bridge.

The galley will be fitted with up-to-date appliances, including steam cooker steam boiler, etc., with lift to pantry. There is a very efficient installation of electric lighting, bells, refrigerating machinery, and cold chambers. The decks are sheathed in “Kauri” pine, and ventilation has received very careful attention to suit the Australian climate.

The hull is built with deep bulb-angle decks in fore and after main holds, cellular double bottom, and a large after peak tank for water ballast, the whole being available for carrying fresh water to be delivered on deck for stock purposes, a large number of cattle and horses being carried in the ‘tween decks. Large hatchways, eight steam winches of special design for raising and lowering derricks will be fitted.

The vessel will be schooner rigged, having two masts with derrick tables and out riggers, eight derricks, and one large derrick to lift 10 tons. Steam steering and hand screw gear of the latest type will be fitted in the deck house aft, and the whole of the steering will be manipulated from a wheel on the promenade deck. A patent direct steam windlass, six lifeboats, stockless anchors, and a very complete outfit will be provided for a first class passenger and cargo steamer.

The design has been well thought out for the vessel’s special trade by the builders, in conjunction with Mr. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co. of Cardiff.

She is designed for a high rate of speed, and is supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of Wm. Gray and Co., Ltd., with their well known type of triple-expansion engines, having cylinders  25in., 41in., and 68in. Diameter, and 48in stroke, and three large steam boilers adapted to work at a pressure of 200lbs. Per square inch, in conjunction with Howden’s system of forced draught. The engine room will be replete with all the latest accessories including Weir’s pump, and centrifugal circulating pump, “central” evaporator, Webster’s combined feed heater and ballast donkey, See’s ahs ejector, bronze propeller, and a very liberal supply of spare gear.

The vessel and machinery have been built under the superintendence of Messrs. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co., Cardiff, on behalf of the owners, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Kapunda was gracefully performed by Mrs J.H. Hallett.

This is the fourth steamer built by Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., for this well known firm.

The latest addition to the Australian coastal fleet is the Kapunda, which arrived here yesterday morning on her maiden voyage from West Hartlepool, where she was built to the order of the Melbourne Steamship Co., Limited by Messrs. William Gray and Co., the well known ship builders.

The Kapunda, which is intended for the company’s passenger and cargo trade, is both larger and faster than any of the other steamers of her fleet, and is generally constructed on more stylish lines.

She is 341ft. In length, 45ft in breadth, and has a loaded draught of 20ft. 10in., her displacement being equal to 6,530 tons. Her engines are of the triple expansion type, and on her trial trip sh maintained an average speed of 13.4 knots per hour without difficulty.

The Kapunda has a full poop, extra long bridge, and a topgallant forecastle, the bulwarks being carried same height as the bridge, with large doors for taking in cattle and cargo.

Accommodation for first class passengers in houses on the bridge deck and for steerage passengers on the poop the officers and engineers being housed amidships.
The dining saloon, which is on bridge deck, is a lofty handsome apartment, fitted in light oak, with morocco leather upholstery. There is a large skylight overhead with ornamental glass. Quite adjacent stands the music-hall which is similarly equipped and furnished, whilst a massive piano specially built to stand the Australian climate contributes materially to the handsome surroundings.

The gentleman’s smoke room, buffet, and bar are in mahogany, and most comfortably appointed, whilst on the deck above a cosy and luxuriously furnished ladies boudoir is a feature of the ship. The cabins are large and airy, and equipped in the latest style for passenger comfort a remark which applies equally to the bathrooms, lavatories, and other parts of the ship.

Electricity is installed throughout, and on every hand there is evidence that the designers of the vessel had given the subject of passenger comfort the closest study. One of the most striking characteristics of the Kapunda is the abundant ventilation provided throughout her accommodation. The ship is schooner rigged, having two masts, with eight derricks, one of which is capable of lifting 10 tons. As a precaution against danger the vessel is built with seven water-tight bulkheads, whilst her life-saving equipment is ample and up to date.

Upon arrival the Kapunda berthed up the river. She only made one call-at cape town- during her long voyage. No coal was taken on board at the Cape, however, but only stores, and the vessel therefore accomplished the whole trip from West Hartlepool without replenishing bunkers.

NEW PASSENGER STEAMER

Daily Mail , ****1908.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE s.s. KAPUNDA.

The handsome steel screw steamer Kapunda, built by Messrs. Wm. Gray and Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool, to the order of Messrs. The Melbourne Steamship Company, Limited, Melbourne, was taken for her trial trip on Saturday 19th.  This is the fourth steamer built by Messers. Wm. Gray and Co,. Ltd. For this well known firm.

The vessel carries a Board of Trade Passenger certificate, and takes the highest class at Lloyd’s. Her principal dimensions are ; length over all, 341ft.; breadth, **ft.; depth, 23ft. 9in. She has a full poop, extra long bridge, and topgallant forecastle, the bulwarks being carried the same height as the bridge, with large doors for taking in cattle and cargo.

There is a handsome and specially lofty dining saloon, in a house on the bridge deck, fitted up in light oak, with morocco leather upholstery, and party tables, having large skylight overhead with ornamental glass, and a music room leading off the saloon similarly fitted up, with a handsome piano, specially built to stand the Australian climate.  The gentleman’s smoke-room buffet, and bar is fitted up in mahogany, and on the large promenade deck above is a handsomely-furnished ladies’ boudoir.

There will is accommodation for a large number of first class passengers, in addition to stewards and stewardesses, in houses on the bridge deck, and for third class passengers accommodation is made in poop and poop deck houses, the officers, engineers, and crew being housed in the bridge.

The galley is fitted with up-to-date appliances, including steam cooker, steam boiler, etc., with lift to pantry. There is a very efficient installation of electric lighting, bells, refrigerating machinery, and cold chambers. The decks are sheathed in “Kauri” pine, and ventilation has received very careful attention to suit the Australian climate.

The hull is built with deep bulb-angle frames, and seven watertight bulkheads, and the vessel is schooner rigged. The design has been well thought out for the vessel’s special trade by the builders, in conjunction with Mr. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co. of Cardiff.    

She is designed for a high rate of speed, and is supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of Wm. Gray and Co., Ltd., with their well known type of triple-expansion engines, having cylinders  25in., 41in., and 68in. Diameter, and 48in stroke, and three large steam boilers adapted to work at a pressure of 200lbs. Per square inch, in conjunction with Howden’s system of forced draught. The engine room will be replete with all the latest accessories including Weir’s pump, and centrifugal circulating pump, “central” evaporator, Webster’s combined feed heater and ballast donkey, See’s ahs ejector, bronze propeller, and a very liberal supply of spare gear.

The vessel and machinery have been built under the superintendence of Messrs. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co., Cardiff. Mr Hallet attended the trial on behalf of the owners, and Captain J.E. Leask was in command. Captain J.E. Murrel represented the shipbuilders and Mr Maurice S. Gibb the engine builders. The average speed registered by the log was ** knots, the maximum being 14 knots **ded ship.

The trial was a very satisfactory one and the vessel on it’s completion proceeded on her voyage to Australia.