Any thoughts on this GUSTAF at Blyth?

One possibility is that she is the ex GABALVA built by Wood Skinner in 1888, see:

http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/G-Ships ... a1888.html

But why the 'S' on the funnel?

Photographer unknown

Cannot help with the 'S' but I think she is the most likely candidate. The Steam Crane's were replaced with Electric ones in 1910 so the picture must pre-date that. Gustaf was lost in 1907.

If it wasn't for Paul's 1910 cut-off date another candidate, particularly for the S funnel, would be the Hartlepool-built BLYTHWOODE which eventually became GUSTAF in 1911 - owner Angbats A/B Sune, Sweden! See: http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/dentong ... de1870.htm

Equally, if this indeed shows the Wood Skinner ship it is interesting to note she was lost on a voyage from Blyth, albeit with a cargo of coal, whereas the photo appears to show her loading timber?

Ron

.... however a completely different S funnel is portrayed for A/B Sune at George's http://www.gooleships.co.uk/goolesb/sune.htm which looks to be the same Halmstad based company as for the 1870-built GUSTAF.

Ron

Yes Ron, very confusing, unless there was another GUSTAF not mentioned in Lloyds?????????

The Motala Funnel should have been Black with a Black 'M' on a white Band.

The other possible funnel markings that match are G T Schele of Halmstad, but they only had small vessels and Thomas Smailes and Son of Whitby.

Also she is bringing Timber into Blyth, not out.

Paul,

Based on George's entry re the SUNE it looks as though G.T. Schele was manager for A/B Sune.

OK, how do you know the timber is coming in, not out? (Which then means she could have loaded coal out!!!???)

Ron

Ron, while coals may now be brought into the Tyne, sawn timber was not exported from Blyth.
As mentioned, despite the funnel if it's pre-1910 then she seems to be the 1888 vessel.

Actually my eye was drawn to the tier of 3 steamers astern and particularly the outside one seems to be in the colours of the Dannebrog company. Looks like a low if any fo'csle and a long quarterdeck extending from bridge to stern. Also small and old enough to carrry the gaffs on her masts. Photo comparisons from the WSS book on Dannebrog published back in 1973 suggest to me STJERNEBORG of 1899-1906 as one candidate, built by Richardson, Duck in 1888 as ROSARIO, but there could be other possibilities, but she would fit the period.
http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/richard ... io1888.htm
But if it's an island bridge deck then there are others that could fit.

Ron, In the early days the South Harbour was known as the Import Dock and the Timber is being unloaded and transfered to the Stockyard of G & N Wright, Timber Merchants.


I have come up with another possibility but I don't know anything about her and she does not fit any of the vessels mentioned in Miramar.

GUSTAF 488 Net Tons Owned in 1897 by G. Sjoberg of Malmo, Sweden.

I have looked at what few photos I have for other Wood Skinner vessels built at about that time and I don't see anything that looks similar. So I doubt that she is by them. Paul's latest sounds the best alternative.

GUSTAF 488 Net Tons Owned in 1897 by G. Sjoberg of Malmo, Sweden.[/quote]

.... which per LR 1897 appears to have been a wood bkn (barkentine) which rules her out of the equation.

Thanks for explanation re timber importing, etc., at Blyth.

Ron