Harfleur - a general history

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, November 1908:
Yesterday Messrs. Wm Gray and Co., limited, launched the handsome steel screw steamer Harfleur, 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, vis.: Length over all, 396ft. 6 in.; breadth, 51ft., and depth, 29ft., with two decks laid, long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle. The saloon, with teak panelling, staterooms, captain’s officer’s 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, nine steam winches, return exhaust and winch condenser, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, patent direct steam windlass, large horizontal multitubular donkey boiler, steel shifting boards, stockless anchors, telescopic masts, with fore and aft rig, boats on deck overhead. Electric light will be fitted throughout, and all the requirements for a first-class cargo steamer.

Triple-expansion engines are being supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of the builders, having cylinders 26in., 42in., and 70in., with a piston stroke of 48in., and two large steel boilers for a working pressure of 180lbs. per square inch.

The hull and machinery have been built under the superintendence of Messrs. E.J. Caiger and Co., on behalf of the owners, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Harfleur was gracefully performed by Mrs. John Harrison of London.

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, January 5th, 1909:
The handsome steel screw steamer Harfleur, built by Messrs. Wm Gray and Co., limited, for Messrs J. and C. Harrison, Ltd., London, had her trial trip yesterday.

The vessel has been built to Lloyd’s highest class, and is of the following dimensions, vis.: Length over all, 396ft. 6 in.; breadth, 51ft., and depth, 29ft., with two decks laid, long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle. The saloon, with teak panelling, staterooms, captain’s officer’s and engineers’ rooms, etc., are fitted up in houses on the bridge deck, and the crew’s berths in the forecastle.

Triple-expansion engines are supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of the builders, having cylinders 26in., 42in., and 70in., with a piston stroke of 48in., and two large steel boilers for a working pressure of 180lbs. per square inch.

The hull and machinery have been built under the superintendence of Messrs. E.J. Caiger and Co., consulting engineers, London. Mr W. Crandell, of the firm of Caiger and Co., witnessed the trial; the ship builders were represented by captain J.E.Murrell; the engine builders by Mr W.Reynard, and captian Sadler was in command. During the trial the machinery ran smoothly and well, and the behaviour of the ship was highly satisfactory, an average speed of 12 knots being obtained.
On conclusion of the trial the vessel proceeded to Barry to load.

Shields Daily Gazette, Thursday, April 20^th, 1911:
Harfleur, 2,847 net, La Plata to London.

Yorkshire Post and Advertiser, Thursday, March 28^th, 1912:
Harfleur sailed Hartlepool, March 27^th, ballast and bunkers, bound Sydney (Cape Breton).

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Wednesday, June 18th, 1919.
BIG DOCK FIRE AT LIVERPOOL. The great dock fire at Bottle, Liverpool, which broke out late on Monday night, has been got under control although the huge mass of wreckage will burn for days. The steamship Norlina which caught fire, is flooded. Part of her after works are burned to the water's edge, and her cargo of timber, tobacco and rails, was badly damaged.

The Scotsman, Saturday, July 9th, 1921.
Norlina sailed Baltimore, July 7th, bound Queenstown.

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