Ludwig Groedel Gallery

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.

Lloyd’s List, Tuesday, May 3^rd, 1904:
TRIAL TRIP. LUDWIG GROEDEL.—On April 28 the handsome steel screw steamer Ludwig Groedel, built by Messrs. Wm. Gray and Co. (Limited), of West Hartlepool, for the Groedel Bros. Steamship Company (Limited), of London and Budapest, had her trial trip. The vessel is 336 feet long. 47 feet broad, and 24 feet 10 inches deep, and she has been built to Lloyd's highest class. She has long bridge, poop, and topgallant forecastle. The saloon, state-rooms, captain's, officers' and engineers' rooms, etc., have been fitted up in houses on the bridge deck, and the crew's berths in the forecastle. The hull is built with deep frames, dispensing with hold beams, and leaving large clear holds, cellular double bottom, and fore-and-aft peak ballast tanks. Eleven steam winches, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, patent direct steam windlass, large marine type donkey boiler, shifting boards throughout, stockless anchors, telescopic masts with fore and aft rig, boats on beams overhead, electric light throughout, and a very complete outfit for a first-class cargo steamer have been fitted. The engines have been supplied from the marine engine works of the builders, and have cylinders 24, 38 and 61 inches in diameter, with a piston stroke of 42 inches, together with two large steel boilers adapted to work at a pressure of 180 lb. per square inch. After adjustment of compasses, the engines were opened out for a full speed trial, the average speed as indicated by the log being 11 knots. The owners were represented by Mr. B. A. Smith and Mr. John Crookston, of London, the shipbuilders by Captain J. E. Murrell, and the engineers by Mr. Wm. Reynard. The trial was a successful one and was completed to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

London Evening Standard, Thursday, March 9^th, 1905:
FATALITY ON A BRITISH STEAMER. CONSTANTINOPLE. March 7. Melancholy news is brought by the steamer Ludwig Groedel, which arrived here yesterday from Costanza. Her master, Captain Peirson, after leaving the port, gave some orders and retired to his cabin, but was never seen again. . It is supposed that, before going to his berth, he went on deck, as usual, to see if the sluices were clear, and slipped overboard when standing on piece of timber which bore traces of footsteps. His coat and waistcoat were found hanging in his cabin.
It was not suspected, till next morning, that an accident had occurred. Captain Peirson was a middle-aged man, steady, sober, and much respected by all who knew him. He was to have been married on his return from this voyage.
The Ludwig Groedel is a vessel of 750 tons, owned by the Groedel Bros. Steamship Company (Limited), of London. She left Sulina (Black Sea) on the 22nd ult., for Rotterdam, laden with timber, and the cargo was so heavy that, besides filling the holds, it was stacked to height of 18 feet on the decks.

Lloyd’s List – Wednesday, December 23^rd,, 1908:
GRAIN DISCHARGE AT ROTTERDAM TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l think that the despatch obtained at Rotterdam by the steamship Ludwig Groedel, belonging to the Groedel Bros. Steamship Company (Limited), of which l am secretary, may be of interest to your readers. I should be glad, therefore, if you would insert the particulars. The following are the facts:-
" Discharging at Rotterdam.—We are pleased to state that our steamship Ludwig Groedel arrived at Rotterdam on Friday last, Dec. 18. Notwithstanding that day was reporting day, a start was made with her discharging. She had about 4,900 tons of grain, consisting of 24 parcels for 50 receivers, and her entire discharge was completed by 6 o'clock p.m. on the following Monday, the 21st inst. She was discharged by elevators, and the output on Saturday amounted to about 2,900 tons. We think the foregoing a very satisfactory performance. Her agents were Messrs. Gebr. Van Uden, who got receivers to make a start on the day of steamer's arrival." Yours, etc. B. A. SMITH. 4, 5 and 6, Great St. Helens, E.C., Dec. 22.

Hull Daily Mail, Tuesday, December 17^th, 1912:
HULL TIMBER FIRMS' ACTION. Evidence was given for the defence in the King's Bench Commercial Court, this morning, in respect of the loss of timber shipped from Galatz to Hull.
Plaintiffs were Hollis Bros., Sherwood and Co., Holdsworth and Midgley, and Broadbent and Gresham, timber firms, Hull; and the defendants were tho Groedel Bros. Steamship Co., the Serhenburgische Waldindustrie Actien Gesellschaft, and the Providentia General Assurance Company.
Mr. Dawson Miller, K.C., for the defendants, read evidence, taken on commission, of the master of the Ludwig Groedel early in October.
The ship encountered bad weather, and they lost from 40 50 standards of deck cargo from both fore and aft. They levelled rest, and tried to secure it, and it was therefore bound to become mixed. There was nothing else to account for the shortage except washing overboard.
Evidence was given by stevedores that marks on the deck timber could not be distinguished, the paint having run. The underdeck cargo was in perfect order.
His Lordship gave judgment for Hollis Bros, for £113, and for Sherwood and Co. for £210.
Judgment was given for the defendants on the the claims by Broadbent and Gresham and by Holdsworth and Midgley.

Western Mail, Tuesday, February 17^th, 1914:
Ludwig Groedel—Lizard telegraphs: Steam trawler Picton Castle passed east, towing British steamer Ludwig Groedel, Malta for Barry, latter having lost propellor on Thursday off Cap Villiano; signalled towing to Falmouth.

Birmingham Daily Posy, Saturday, August 26^th, 1916:
ALIEN BUSINESSES TO BE WOUND UP. It is notified in the “London Gazette” that orders under the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, have been made the Board Trade requiring the undermentioned businesses wound up: Groedel Brothers Steamship Company (Limited), 4 and 6, Great St. Helens, London, E.C., steamship owners.

Dundee Evening Telegraph, Tuesday, October 17^th, 1916:
FOUR STEAMERS ARE SOLD After Keen Competition For £288,500. Four steamships named Milly, Melanie, Margit, and Gisella, formerly owned by Groedel Brothers Steamship Co., Ltd., were offered for sale by public auction the Baltic this afternoon.
The vessels were put up as a fleet, and bidding commenced £150,000. The eventual purchaser was Mr. Alexander Mair, the well-known shipowner, of Glasgow, who, after spirited competition with another gentleman, secured the vessels for £288,500. The ships were sold under the "Trading With the Enemy " Act by order of the controller appointed by the Board of Trade.
The Groedel Company was formed under the English Companies Acts, but the majority of the shareholders were Hungarians resident in Budapest.