Stephenson Clarke close the doors

[tidesman]

From the London Gazette edition of last Friday.

Date:
27 July 2012
Issue Number:
60221
Page number:
14520
Publication Date: Friday, 27 July 2012
Notice Code: 2442
Meetings of Creditors
STEPHENSON CLARKE SHIPPING LIMITED
(Company Number 00230111)
Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1TD
Principal Trading Address: Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1TD
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a meeting of creditors of the above named Company will be held at Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HN, on 03 August 2012, at 11.45 am for the purposes mentioned in Sections 99 to 101 of the said Act. The resolutions to be put to the meeting may include resolutions specifying the term of the Liquidators’ remuneration and agreement to the costs of the preparation of the Statement of Affairs and summoning of the Members’ and Creditors’ Meetings. A list of the names and addresses of the Company’s Creditors may be inspected, free of charge, at Tait Walker, Bulman House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LS, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm on the two business days preceding the date of the Meeting stated above. Creditors intending to vote at the meeting are required to send their proof of debt together with their proxies no later than 12 noon on the business day prior to the meeting. Unless they surrender their security, secured creditors must give particulars of their security and its value if they wish to vote at the meeting.
Further details contact: Gordon Smythe Goldie and Allan David Kelly (IP Nos. 5799 and 9156) Tait Walker Advisory Services LLP, Bulman House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LS email: recovery@taitwalker.co.uk Tel: 0191 285 0321

Russell Campbell, Director

24 July 2012.
(1638739)

[northeast]

A very sad day to learn of the end of this famous Tyneside shipowner, with origins as far back as 1730.

A few early notes from Craig Carter's 1981 book (WSS).
Ralph and Robert Clarke, sons of the Rev. Ralph Clarke vicar of Long Benton, North Shields, became master mariners and took shares in the sailing vessel CLEVELAND in 1730.
Robert's son John married Jane Stephenson of North Shields in 1775.
John's grandson was called Stephenson Clarke and from 1850 the company became Stephenson Clarke Ltd.
Apart from shipowning, they were also managers for several of the collier fleets of the gas and electricity companies.
From 1928 it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Powell Duffryn. The group eventually embraced also Kelly and Robertson.

[magoonigal]

Yes a sad day after all those years....

I remember when they had a Branch Office at Blyth. Long gone as well...

[Whickham]

From a local news e-paper this morning

Stephenson Clarke Shipping to be liquidated

Short sea bulk cargo ship operator Stephenson Clarke Shipping has been placed into liquidation.

Allan Kelly and Gordon Goldie of Tait Walker in Newcastle were appointed liquidators on 3 August.

"It is with great regret that the company has had to cease trading," a spokesman for the company said.

"Management and staff have worked extremely hard to manage the position to minimise the impact on stakeholders by working with professional advisers to ensure an orderly and controlled wind down of the company which resulted in the sale of the last vessel in July 2012.

"Whilst previous economic downturns have been weathered, the current market is one of the worst experienced for many years with no upturn forecast for at least 12-18 months”.

Administrator Allan Kelly added: "The prolonged global economic downturn has seen the shipping market severely impacted through excess market capacity and low freight income, which together with the broader economic recession left little alternative but to place SCS into liquidation."

"The company, which employed nine people, had sought to reduce costs and the fleet had been sold off over the last couple of years, culminating in the sale of the last remaining vessel in July 2012."

[Whickham]

Historic shipping company's assets to be sold

Liquidators of Stephenson Clarke Shipping (SCS), believed to be one of the world's oldest shipping businesses, are selling a number of its assets in a move to pay back its creditors.

Gordon Goldie and Allan Kelly of Tait Walker Corporate Recovery were appointed joint liquidators to Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd on 3 August 2012.

Known as 'Stevie Clarke's', assets now available to purchase include the name Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd and the rights to a number of domain names including scsbulk.com, stephensonclarkeshipping.com and stephensonclarkeshipping.co.uk. Memorabilia associated with the company is also available for purchase.

The company, which employed nine people, had sought to reduce costs and the fleet had been sold off over the last couple of years, culminating in the sale of the last remaining vessel in July 2012.

Allan Kelly of Tait Walker said: "It is with great regret that the company has had to cease trading – the prolonged global economic downturn has seen the shipping market severely affected through excess market capacity and low freight income, which together with the broader economic recession left little alternative but to place SCS into liquidation.

"By selling off the remaining assets management hope it will not only serve as a way of paying back some of SCS's creditors but it will also help keep the company's history alive for years to come."

The shipping company could trace its roots back to 1730 with SCS first established as Stephenson Clarke & Co in 1865.

Copyright Newsco Insider Ltd

[E28]

Surely it was little surprise this business failed. When their last ships were disposed of alarm bells must have been heard for some distance. Or long before with todays means of communications.
They had been losing contracts hand over fist for some years, a far cry from only 5 years ago when they were raking it in, with decent profits to boot.
A final fleet list for the last 20 odd years would be useful. Anyone.

[creemaster]

Although they had four very good ships in DALLINGTON, DONNINGTON, DURRINGTON and STORRINGTON plus SEA AMETHYST they were the wrong size for cargoes then on offer. The majority of cargoes were either smaller or larger than they could carry so they had to look harder for cargoes to fit their 'slot'. Things probably got better when they chartered the three RIVER boats, TYNE, BLYTH and ALN but they should have speculated to accumulate to grow the business and expand the fleet..

Graham

[creemaster]

Stephenson Clarke Fleet List up to 2007 from 198o when WSS history was published.
First section covers vessels still in service when book published, second section vessels which entered fleet after publication
Notes: Owning company as follows;

1981/82: Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd. 1987/88: Powell Duffryn Shipping Ltd. 1990/91: Powell Duffryn Shipping Ltd, managers Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd. 1993: Stephenson Clarke Shipping Ltd. 2002/03: Stephenson Clarke Shipmanagement Ltd.


108.Abbas (Cryomar): 80-Minogaz 1. 87: B/up.
112. Adderstone: 1.90: Broken up
77.Ardingly (Lucky Trader): 82-B/up
87. Arundel (Brick Dodicesimo): 9.82: B/up
133.Ashurst: 83-Nadia. 85-Shirley. 87- Valsa. 88-Asma. 02-B/up.
142.Aldrington: 96-Sold and back chartered for three years. 05- Aldrin
144.Amethyst: 80-Faith. 85-Tasos. 00-Silver Star II.
154.Ashington: 96- Sold and back chartered for three years. 04-Fjord Pearl. 07-jp Fox
117.Ashington/Arlington: (Gianna A) 83- Chrys. 84-B/up.
132.Beeding: 90-MHarriet. 00-Redo. 03: Deleted Lloyds Register.
105.Blanchland (Eugenia M): 82-Ionian Princess. 85-B/up.
119.Birling (Christoforos): 83-Foundered
141.Birling: 00-Sofia Katharina. 03-Josephine 1 (also reported as Josephina 1). 05-Goodwish
120.Bowcombe (Brick Undicesimo): 84-B/up.
145.Brillant. 81-Brilliante. 84: Sank.
124.Brightling (Fabio Saviero): 88-Mastrocostas. 88-Lara. 92-Sea Horse II. 98-Comodore. 01-3 Queen 1.
135.Brightling (Mor Star): 86-Morstar. 86-Caribic Star. 87-Kristen Lea. 89-Sang Thai Fortune. 99- Kang Song 3. 07- Kang Song
90.Chailey (Filicudi): 82-Mayaycu. 99-Andes. 06- Libertad 1
92.Cleveland (Venice): Hong Qi 131-01. Deleted from Lloyds Register 2001.
98.Cowdray (Ballycastle) 92-Aref. 86-B/up.
137.Dallington- current fleet
107.David Marley: 90-Tracey Bennett. 05- Broken up
136.Donnington: 07- Sider Genoa
155.Durrington –current fleet.
55. Eleanor Brooke (Monia): 98- Deleted from Lloyds Register.
153.Emerald: 99-Solhav. 99-Emeralda. 04-Emerald. 05: Eleanora. 06-Stingray. 07- Tessa
109.Falstone: 87-B/up.
102.Fernhurst: 83-Davak. 86: B/up
123.Ferring: 88-Ronne. 89-Altea. 90-Fred. 91- Eri S. 92: Sank off Cape Mayor.
94.Firle (Covodoro): 82-B/up.
95.Friston (Enayatallah): 88-Fifi. 89-Argo. 89: Lost during hostilities.
146.Gem: 90- Damask Rose. 95:-Annis Rose. 96-Sank.
104.Gilsland (Banglar Joy): 83-B/up.
156.Harting 01-Med Finder. 04-Elisabeth
71. Henfield: 12.82: Reported b/up
113.Horsham (Granitt)- possibly still in service as a dumb barge- non seagoing.
147.Jade: 81-Evangelina. 88-Panagiota P. 89-Pepy L. 91-Kyriaki. 93-Bany M. Not on Equasis now.
118.Jevington (1)(Omega Patmos) 82-B/up.
115.Keynes (Titika): 84- B/up.
91.Lancing (Landing): 89-Galini
125.Malling: 91-Torland. 93- Orlan. 96-Cihan. 04-Condor.
101.Midhurst: B/up 1986.
74. Minster (Petrola 50): 80- b/up
106:Maplehurst: 81-Vasiliki II. 03- Orion 1 (Listed as ‘dead’ by Equasis)
116.Megstone: 8-Deleted Lloyds Register.
148.Pearl: 83-Rosemount. 84-Mull. 87-Giannis. 92-Anna II. 94-Danah I. 98-B/up.
92.Petworth: 80- Barbarossa. 88: B/up.
86.Portslade (Agia Anna) Trans Commerce-83. Bint El Shiekh-84. B/up-85.
97. Pulbourgh (Caponero). 1993; Deleted Lloyds Register.
111.Pulbourgh: 86- B/up.
114.Rogate: 86- B/up
149.Sapphire: 81-Apollina VII. 87-Sarjo. 90-Olga S. 93-Nana. 96-Nissiros.
68.Seaford (Georgios A): 81-Alexis Athans. 84-Panagia Kastrou. 90- B/up.
89. Stansted (Mark VI): 88/89 reported broken up
85. Steyning (Abeer Delta): 90: Deleted from Lloyd’s Register
131.Steyning(1965) 81-Julia. 88-B/up.
98.Storrington (1)(Milos II): 83-Stagen. 84:-Lost.
128.Tarring: 82-Arring. 83-Tarry. 84- B/up.
150.Topaz: 81-Sutas. 85-Naz. 87-Yilos. 90-Panayotis. 90-Amafth Two.
79. Totland (Agios Fanouris V): 81-Eftichia. 87-B/up.
151.Tourmaline: 82-Proba. 86-Fergus H. 87-Socotra. 90-Sorocco. 93-Akram V. 00(onward) - converted to a tanker.
152.Turquoise: 80-Estland. 82- Barney Mac. 83-Roseland. 84-B/up.
129.Wadhurst: 82-Lillian S. 91-Mombassa. Not listed by Equasis
140.Washington: 94- Demise chartered to Yugoslavian owners with time charter to Stephenson Clarke. 00-Orlec. 06-Orfeas. 06-Orfea.
122.Wilmington: 86-B/up
127. Worthing (Antigoni P) 81-b/up.

Vessels owned since publication, ie post 1980
Amethyst (2)/ Sea Amethyst (1987) Cardona-93. Amethyst-97. Sea Amethyst – current fleet
Cowdray (2) (1983) Ballygrainey-90. Cowdray-94. Dunay-01. Sea Kite-02. Finida-03. Hum Grad-06. Panagiotis T.
Gem (2) (1974) Guardo-93. Gem-98. Arendal Bay-00. Khuula-01. 01-B/up.
Goldstone (1950) Sir Fon-85. 90- B/up
Jevington (2) (1976): Garrison Point-87. Elzabete-89. Jevington-00. 00-B/up.
Kielder (1981): Darss (E41)-91. Eide Rescue 1-93 Marpol Baltic-95. Stalvaag-99. Katrobulk-02. Bufjord-03. Kielder
Lancing (3) (1975) Baxtergate-80. Ballykern-90. Lancing-97. Al Farook-01 Haroun-02. Marmara M
Steyning (3)(1983) 01-Julius. 07- Julie/
Shoreham (3)(1982) Ballygarvey-90. Shoreham-93. Hope-00. Sea Eagle
Storrington (2)(1981) – current fleet.
Topaz (2)(Ordered 1995):
Cancelled contract due to delays with the shipyard, completed 1998 as Wilhelmine Oldendorff. 02-Rio Topaz. 05-Wilhelmine Oldendorff. 06-Romuva.
Worthing (2)(1975) Lis Danielsen-79. Ballykelly-90. Worthing-97. Aaliah

[E28]

Graham, your fleet list is much appreciated. Considerably more extensive than i realised.
Could you explain why so many ships were named for Sussex towns and villages. At least 30.
Does that imply family connections from that locale.
Off now to watch Robson Green present 'how the north was built'. ITV1, 2100. 1st of 2 episodes.

[creemaster]

Do'nt know the answer to that one Sean.
They broke with tradition when they went deep sea in the 1950s, the two bulkers were named after northern vilages and the general cargo ship was called CLEVELAND.
The three German chartered boats were named after Northumberland rivers, ALN, BLYTH and TYNE, the last ship owned was called NEWCASTLE, and they also KIELDER which operated UK/North European trades, The two Spanish ships bought in the late 1990s were given Wm Robertson names, GEM and AMETHYST, later SEA AMETHYST because there was all ready aship of that name on the IOM register.Seems like they were trying to please everyone with their names in the end.

Graham