Baron Ruthven Strikes Coal Hulk

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 1

Baron Ruthven Strikes Coal Hulk

WHILE ANCHORING IN STREAM LITTLE DAMAGE DONE When the Hogarth Shipping Company's steamer Baron Ruthven was anchoring in the stream this morning, she swung over, and hit the coal hulk Gladbrook, which was at anchor nearby. The Gladbrook did not escape without damage, but it was found that a large dent had been made in the port side of the Baron Ruthven, just above the waterline. The old coal hulk Gladbrook has had a Very chequered career. Originally she was a well-known sailer, but was later turned into a coal hulk, just as she is to-day. With the coming of the war there was a change. The dirty coal hulk was transformed into a sailer in 1916, and took up coal and timber trade between Australia, New Zealand, and South America in the service of the Union Company. On her last voyage in 1918, from Newcastle to Callao, both the master and chief officer died of the ’flu. The second officer, Mr. J. H. Walker, now a pilot in Melbourne, assumed command, and brought the vessel back to New Zealand. When the war ended the services of the Gladbrook were no longer required, and she again took up her humble duties as a coal hulk in the Waitemata.

The Baron Ruthven is a vessel of 3,178 tons gross, and was built in 1910 by Dunlop, Bremner, and Co., of Glasgow. She will discharge a cargo of raw sugar at the Colonial Sugar Company’s refinery at Chelsea.