The Merchant Navy Plaque for men from Ropner & Pool Shipping Co. Ltd. lost in service in two world wars. 2005. Photograph courtesy of Robert Dicken. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The Merchant Navy Plaque for men from Ropner & Pool Shipping Co. Ltd. lost in service in two world wars. 2005. Photograph courtesy of Robert Dicken.
I sailed with Captain Tingle twice, once on The Thirlby (1980) and again on The Appleby (1981), a great man I wish I had heard of his passing sooner as I would have liked to have attended his service to pay my respects.07/09/2011 15:04:00
I am sorry to hear of death of Capt Tingle.I sailed with him as Third Mate on the Rushpool 1969/70. He was a good Master.The only time we met since those days,was in 1981,comming out of Ayresome Park,after a Boro match.29/08/2011 18:48:57
My uncle, Joseph Cummings was killed on MV Fishpool on 25th July 1943. If Billy MCGee can tell me where I can purchase his book and a casualty list, I will be very grateful. I am creating a blog to commemorate his life and am trying to get as much information as I can.29/08/2011 11:43:57
I’m sorry to announce on this site the passing of Captain Colin Tingle who, as stated, was invited by Billy McGee to unveil the plaque for the Ropner seamen in Ropner Park. Colin’s service will be held in Green Lane Methodist Church at 12:30pm on 22nd August.18/08/2011 22:21:39
Ray, thank you for your help. I have not progressed any further, I can’t find anything about his past, or his later years, or his family and I don’t know where to look or start. I would be grateful, if you hear of anything or anyone who could help me, you would let me know. A big thank you.
My Great-Uncle John Geraghty was a donkeyman on Fort Pelly, he was killed in the engine room at age 21 when the ship sank. Is anyone able to give me more information about the trips he would have made before this final one?
My Grandfather, Joseph Davison, was the Chief Engineer on SS Daleby which sank 180 mile NW of Fasnet Rock on 29 April 1917. Does anyone else have family members who were on this vessel?
How can I get in contact with Billy McGee as I would very much like a copy of his book.
my great uncle william dick was bosun on ss daleby his name appears on memorial in ist islandmagee presbyterian church n.ireland.
andrew mccosh
Can you help me trace someone – my mother has told me about her uncle Edward (Ted) Watson, she said his name is on a plaque in South Shields on Ocean Road. I would apprieate any information you can pass onto me.
Kim
I can only find one entry for Charles Pluquet he signed on the Free French ship “Fort Binger” as Steward on the 24th February 1943 in Cape Town. He was aged 33 with 15 years service, his nationality was Belgian, height 5’ – 9”, weight 172 lbs.
The ship arrived in New York on the 11th May 1943 having sailed from San Pedro 28th April 1943. She sailed again on the 13th May 1943 for the UK via Boston.
However it appears that Charles Pluquet was left behind in hospital with a dislocated shoulder.
Can anyone help me trace my Grandfather? I know he was in the merchant navy 1920 and he lived in Stockton-on-Tees although he was from Belgium – his name was Charles Pluquet, has anyone got any info to what ship he served on?
My uncle William (Billy) Johnston was a seaman on board the SS Clearpool when she was bombed and damaged off Scarborough on 10th June 1941. He was blown overboard and was eventually picked up. Although the crew abandoned the Clearpool, they, (together with Billy) later returned, kept her afloat and she was towed into Hartlepool. This took place only months after he escaped from Sweden during operation ‘Rubble’ when 5 Norwegian ships carrying vital war material broke out and successfully reached the UK. In 1940 he had been on the crew of the SS Romanby in Narvik where he was captured when the Germans invaded Norway then marched to Sweden. I think both these ships were Ropners.
My maternal grandfather was Capt. Arthur Eves of Whitby, who sailed for Ropners for many years, indeed through both world wars. I understand he was torpedoed and sunk twice in WW1 but sailed 6 years of north atlantic convoys in WW2 without loss! He was later awarded the OBE for services to the Merchant Fleet.
Only just found this memo that you posted 7 years ago! My grandmother aged 95 informs me that her family has a connection by marriage to Captain Eve’s but I am struggling to start a family tree to trace any link as I do not know who he was married to. I have a copy of his obituary which was sent to me by Whitby museum but although it states he was married and left one son and three daughters no names are given. Can you please help me in any way? Kind Regards Kim Sharp.
Captain Arthur Eves was my grandfather and his children were Les, Molly, Jessie and Winsome (my mother) He was born Whitby 22-6-1878. Hope this of some help.
My Dad, William Hughes was chief engineer on the same ship as Capt Eves and they were great friends.
SS FISHPOOL (2), 4,950grt, built 1940, (ON. 160785) Sunk in an air raid at Syracuse on the 26th July 1943 while discharging ammunition and aviation spirit brought from Alexandria killing 23 crew and 5 DEMS gunners. 18 survived. Earlier in the war on the 14th November 1940 the Fishpool had been sailing from the Tyne to Vancouver in ballast when she was hit by seven incendiary bombs South-West of Rockall killing several crew. The ship was abandoned and one lifeboat with 15 crew was never seen again. The ship was taken in tow and repaired. Also on the 9th May 1941 while loading stores at Barrow-in-Furness the ship was again damaged by a parachute mine, which detonated next to the ship killing 2 crew.
Hi Billy,
I think this may be a long shot as this post is over 10years old, but who knows.
My father was one of the 18 survivors at Syracuse. He never spoke about his experience apart from telling us he was picked up and taken to Malta. if you have any other information about that day or any photographs of the ship please get in touch with me.
Best Regards
George
My first trip was on the Thirlby in 1973, I joined the ship in Abadan as a Junior Eng along with other crew members. Soon after leaving Abadan we stopped for repairs to the top piston, during this time the 4th Engineer Ernie (from Manchester)collapsed due to heat exhaustion, tragically he died, he was buried at sea the same day. Does anyone else remember this sad story? Other Engineers (I can’t remember all the names) were John Bell, George… Deck Eng, Phil Simpson from Inverness, Ginger from Hull, Nick… 2nd was Davy… Chief was Fred Barron. 5th was Ray… We eventually paid off in Falmouth.
I sailed on Thirlby in 1967 and 1968 as 4th Engineer under Chief Freddie Baron.
Sad to hear about Ernie.
Whilst on Thirlby in Canada we lost a Junior Engineer when we were docked in Montreal – he wnt over the gangway late at night – his name was Roy – cannot recall his surname.
I met, but never sailed with Freddie Baron. I did, however sail with Mike Rose on Barlby and Thirlby.
My mothers brother John George Mordey was lost at sea on the SS Fishpool’s maiden voyage in 1941. Has anyone got any info on that incident
brian
John served with the young ATKINSON brothers also from Page Street, Hendon, Sunderland. They also died as a result of this enemy action.
I’ve been trying to trace the ship that my mum’s young brother was killed on as they were leaving Southampton Dock in WW2. Their ages were between 18/21, they got blown out of the sky. I am not sure if any survived, it was a torpedo. It was her youngest brother and she didnt like to talk about it.
The Polzella belonged to the J.J. Thomas & Co. of Cardiff so has no connection with Ropner’s or the Ropner Memorial. The 36 men lost from the Polzella are commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial (Panel 82 & 83) in London.
Cargo ship Polzella, 4,751grt, (Thomas, J.J. & Co.) had been sailing independently on a voyage from Narvik to Middlesbrough via Methil, with a cargo of iron ore. The ship was never seen again and was officially recorded as missing/untraced 20th March 1940. It was later found that on the 17th January 1940 the ship had been intercepted by U-25 in the North Sea, North of Muckle Flugga, Shetlands Isles and sank in twelve seconds after being hit by a torpedo under the bridge deck, sinking in position 60’ 58N 00’55W with the loss of all thirty-six crew.
Your Grandfather is listed Lynn;
PORTER, Able Seaman, GEORGE EDWARD, S.S. Polzella (Penzance). Merchant Navy. 13th January 1940. Age 46.
My grandfather died on SS Polzella, Mr George Porter.
I have his log book which contains a good quality photo and some other details.
I can’t seem to find much information about him – can anyone direct me?
Also where is the plaque please, I plan to make my first visit to the North East and find
my roots.
The best servant the merchant navy has is Billy McGee. I don’t know how many people he has helped over the years in connecting folks with their dads/grandads/great grandads merchany navy past, my late father Robert Casey a merchant navy veteran sailed Atlantic, Arctic & Med convoys. I never saw a photo of my dad as a young man. Billy McGee out of the goodness and love for the merchant vets sent one of his contacts down to the Public Records at Kew and had my dads seamans pouch photographed and sent to me. My dads first I.D photos were amongs these documents. But for Billy McGee I wouldn’t have even known about a seamans pouch, but even more because of the fact that my dads pouch had a certain number Billy dicovered that my father was entitled to the German & France bar to go with is Atlantic Star. Billy your a great lad.
Barry,
Could you give me some other info on what you have on the sinking. I have checked my book "Ropner’s Navy" and there were no Ropner ships torpedoed in the Indian Ocean during WWII.
I am delighted to have discovered this site. I am desperate for information on my late grandfather Frederick John Peat who served on many Ropners ships starting as galley boy in 1920 and ending as Chief Steward. I know he served on the Danby as my mother can recall going to meet him when he was aboard.
My grandfather was serving on an unknown Ropner ship that was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean and he and his shipmates were adrift in lifeboats for several days. They were eventually spotted by a Catalina and soon after rescued. This was fortunate as my grandfather had developed appendicitis whilst adrift.
Any information would be most appreciated.
My father’s first trip at sea was on the Ainderby in 1939 he was 17 years old and a mess room boy. His name was Frank Burns.
Very moved by photo, brings back flood of memories.
I joined MV Wearpool 17 November 1939 after 3 months training for sea serviceat the Gravesend Sea School.
Most important to mention that the master (captain) was Arthur Eves who retired after I left vessel 1 year later.
I do have a list of crew from Port Said to Port Adeliade voyage from 11/04/40 of whom I was part of.
I have written an account of my first trip aboard the Wearpool.
I can supply copies to any interested persons.
I am trying to trace my father’s (Ronald Berisford Curnow) war service in the merchant navy. Among the many ships he sailed, I know he served very briefly on MV Wearpool 8 December 1941 to 18 December 1941 – but that is all I know.
Capt Arthur Eves was my grandfather and I would be very interested in a copy of your article
Barry
Both GEORGE ATKINSON, Galley boy age 17 and STANLEY ATKINSON, Cabin boy age 18, who both died on M.V.FISHPOOL 14/11/1940. Are mentioned in the book written by Billy McGee “Ropner’s Navy“
ISBN 978-0-9558593-5-9 published by Cormorant Publishing Hartlepool, TS26 9QD – also obtainable direct from Billy McGee. An earlier post on this tread by Billy gives some detail 07/12/2007 11:41:18 of the “Fishpool” and there are details of his email address should you wish to obtain the book direct.
My Wife’s Gt Uncles GEORGE ATKINSON, Galley boy age 17 and STANLEY ATKINSON, Cabin boy age 18, both died on M.V.FISHPOOL 14/11/1940. I understand she was bombed on her maiden voyage? I was told one drowned as he could not swim and the other died in a lifeboat. Can anyone provide me with more detailed information as to what happened in this incident. Also does anyone have a photo of the FISHPOOL circa 1940. Any information greatly appreciated.
I sailed on the MV Bridgepool twice in ’72 and the MV Rudby from Nov 72 to April 73. A great company. Now, I wished I’d done more.
What a fitting memorial to all those very brave men who gave their live for us.
Well done.
Alec Crichton, if you remember me, I very much remember you. Please get in touch, you (or anyone else who remembers me)can get my email address from the Picture Stockton Team.
Ernest Wilfred Jackson, Master Mariner OBE served with Ropners for many years surviving 2 world wars and retiring in 1953. His last duty was to represent Ropner’s at the Queens Coronation. He was ny great uncle, brother of my grandfather
It was nice to see the “Stonepool” photo as all the names you think you forgot just come flooding back – Mike Rose, John Everett, Graham Ross, Jim Mckillop, John Bunby and even the chief, Jack Dagg. I have some great memories and they will last forever. I must addmit I am new to the internet and it is great to look back.
James! It’s Mike Rose hear PLEASE get in touch. My number and email address are available through Picture Stockton, please contact them and get in touch. I live in Gloucestershire now.
Cheers old son, Mike.
I sailed on the maiden voyage of the Stonepool out of Glasgow and it was great to see the photograph. Greetings to all I sailed with.
I am Ian Duncan and was 3rd Mate on Stonepool maiden voyage with Captain Churchill. I live in Castle Eden and retired from the Port of Sunderland in 2010 as the Harbourmaster/Port manager
I’m pleased to help you, Peter Williams, to add information and point you in directions where you may gain more information. I’ve no connection with the SS Carperby that I know of. Almost all my family were involved in WWI and WWII and all survived although two of them came close to losing their lives. It is fitting that all men and women of all nationalities who gave their lives on the Atlantic in both these conflicts should be remembered.
I’ve had a little trouble getting a copy of ‘Ropner’s Navy’. However, I finally contacted Mark at Pockets Papers, Unit 2, Navigation Point, Hartlepool Marina, Tel. 01429 279688, who miraculously can get copies. As a result my copy is in front of me as I write. Thought this might be worthwhile mentioning if others have any problems.
My uncle Charles Henry Gurney was killed at Syracuse on the MV Fishpool 1943. I would love to hear or see any information about him or his boats.
Keen to contact Mike Rose re his voyages on Romanby. I was marine engineer with Brocklebank.
Hi James. Please get in touch, I would love to hear back from you. Picture Stockton will pass over my email address and/or phone number to you if you request it. Cheers, Mike Rose
Many thanks Cliff Thornton for pointing me at the memorial register. What a very helpful and friendly lot of people keep their eyes on this website! I worked in London off and on for about 20 years and used Tower Hill tube station every day. So I passed the little park where Tower Hill Memorial stands and Trinity House Corporation building hundreds of times without knowing the connection with my uncle! Best wishes.
Peter Williams, when you go to see the Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill you may wish to examine the memorial register which is held in the adjacent building of the Trinity House Corporation, Trinity Square (Cooper’s Row entrance), Tower Hill, London EC3 N4DH, which can be found behind the Memorial. Tel: 020 7481 6900.
Thank you very much Dee Dale for adding to the information on the SS Carperby. Did you get this info on the ship because you have a particular interest in a member of the crew? Whatever the reason, I do appreciate your kind thought in helping me to discover the detail. I left Teesside in 1959 and have lived elsewhere, including abroad, ever since, but I’m now in Essex and will visit Tower Hill Memorial when next in London. With thanks again and best wishes.
The SS Carperby which was sunk on 1 March 1942. Peter Williams will find more info if he searches the internet regarding this ship. The following is some info that I found on this ship. There is apparently a commemoration plaque at Tower Hill Memorial in London. Panel 23. SS Carperby left the River Tyne on 13 Feb 1942 in Convoy ON-66 heading for St Vincent and Beunos Aires. Off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia the convoy was dispersed and SS Carperby sailed on independently. Later she was spotted and sunk by U-588 which was commanded by 29 year old Kapitanleutnant Victor Vogel. The ship’s crew of 41 and 6 D E M S gunners all perished. ON 31 July 1942 the U-588 was sunk by the Royal Canandian Navy.
Thank you sincerely Ray for the information concerning the book on “Ropner’s Navy”. This will be of great value and interset to my mother and myself to find more information on my grandfather and these brave Merchant Navy men.
Many, many thanks Ray. It was very kind of you to go to the trouble of looking up the Carperby in Ropner’s Navy. I shall certainly buy a copy and continue my search for more information about my uncle. Best wishes. Peter.
As mentioned in my earlier post to Christine the book “Ropner’s Navy” also lists the “SS Carperby” and includes Richard Edward Williams and all those that were lost, At 02.00 hours on 1 Mar, 1942, the Carperby (Master Frederick Gardiner), dispersed from convoy ON-66, was torpedoed and sunk by U-588 about 420 miles south of Newfoundland. The master and 39 crew members were lost.
Ray
There is a book “Ropner’s Navy” which may be of interest to Christine, recently published, author Billy McGee, which list those ships of the Ropner Fleet and also lists those that were lost on the “SS Pikepool” ISBN No 978-0-9558593-5-9, her grandfather, John Vincent Smith, is mentioned.
My grandfather John Vincent Smith was an engineer on the SS Pikepool,when it sank in 1940.
I was fascinated to hear details from the surviving wireless operator. My mother, Margaret Smith was seventeen when her father died. She is stiil alive and is interested in any details of the incident.Picture Stockton Team have my contact details.
I have the flimsiest information. My uncle Richard Edward Williams was a chief engineer killed in WW2. I can remember my family talking about Ropners and the SS Carperby. I know that the Carperby was sunk by a U-boat on 1 March 1942 in the western Atlantic. I don’t know whether my uncle was lost on that ship. Does anyone know how I can discover the crew list? Can’t think now that anyone still alive knew him. He was, I believe, sort of semi-retired working on tugs on the Tees when war broke out and he went back to sea to do his bit.
I”m looking for a crewman on the Heronspool in the 1920″s with the name Richard Lomax. It arrived in Montreal and he was granted landing in 1929.
Had the pleasure of sailing with Colin on many occasions as 2nd Cook, Cook Steward in the 80″s. One of the nicest men I have ever known and 20 years on we still exchange Xmas cards. Fianlly got to see Colin and Mary last year, he hasn”t changed a bit.
I am trying to find someone that remembers Brian chapman, officer on th Thornaby in 1965. We have tracked him down to 1975 when he was living in 14 Copley Drive, Tunstall, Sunderland. S family member in Canada seeks him. His discharge number was R677779.
I served on Thornaby in 1965 and remember Brian very well. I was an apprentice Engineer at the time and the Captain was Fred Carter – great guys great trip – sod of an endine room though!!
Greetings Mike,
My Uncle was the capt of the Thornaby during your trip, any info about him would be welcome and a big help in filling a hole in the family history.
You had the best uncle in the world! Captain Carter was an awesome man – a great great Captain. He took an interest in me from the very start & would gladly enhance my excursions to the bridge after a sweaty stint in the engine room. I had the good fortune to sail with on several ships. It was great to know that he was up there on the bridge.believe me! After I left the MN of course I never saw him again but I understand that he came out of retirement to assist a passage on MV Rudby. Sadly he passed away not long afterwards so I was told, & therefore he did not have a long retirement . He really deserved one! What a person to have known. To this very day he is my life time person.
With very best regards
Mike Rose (Ropners 1962 – 1970)
Hi. Sorry I’ve only just discovered this site whilst tracing my husband’s family tree and his dad is Brian Chapman. I’m sorry to have to inform you that Brian died in 1987 but his son still lives in the north-east.
Whilst I do not remember Colin Tingle as a Captain, I do remember him as a pupil at Stockton Secondary School in the early fourties although he was a couple of years ahead of me. In later years, I too sailed with Ropners as an Engineer aboard their Daleby. Our Captain was Capt.Kenny and a good man he was. Chief Engineers during my time were Mr Smyth and Mr Dagg. We were mostly on the UK to American Gulf Ports. Nice to read that Colin Tingle is still with us. Vivat Scholae Stocktonensis.
The former 2nd Mate of the mv Thornaby, South Shields born Brian Chapman went on to become Marine Superintendent (Deck) for a well known Newcastle shipping company for whom I also worked. Brian died aged only 47 years. Picture Stockton Team have my contact details.
Captain Colin Tingle sailed with the Ropner Line from the late Nineteen Forties staring as a cadet and finishing as Senior Catain of the Line.He must have sailed with a lot of men throughout that time and Colin I”m sure will try and remember anyone who would like to contact him at his home in Hartburn, Stockton. If B Palmer, J Dolan, T Foster, D Wallis, J Gatenby and C Tranter would like to contact me my email address can be obtained from the Picture Stockton team. I will gladly put them in contact with Colin and also anybody who knows Captain Colin from their sailing days.
I am looking for Brian Chapman who was 2nd mate on the Thornaby in 1965. He was born in South Shields and would be about 70 years old. He is my cousin. The last letter received from him was in 1965 from the ship.
Hi. Sorry I’ve only just discovered this site whilst tracing my husband’s family tree and his dad is Brian Chapman. I’m sorry to have to inform you that Brian died in 1987 but his son still lives in the north-east with his family.
J Chapman: Robert Percy has asked me to search further for information on his cousin Brian Chapman (I met Robert in Canada recently, and we both have South Shields connections). Is your husband the son of the late Brian Chapman? If so, then Robert is keen to be in touch and learn more about his English family. His own mother died recently, so the only family he is likely to have now will be in the UK.