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.
Picture Stockton Archive 
i went with Ropners after Anchor Line in 1982 as a young Galley boy great company and characters was on Appleby Lackenby Ravenscraig and Salmonpool great memories great crews and did decent deep sea trips 9 months plus !!
LikeLike
Hi everyone, Sorry to hop on this thread but I am hitting my head off a brick wall. I am trying to find out information about what happened to my papa in the war. His name was William Black. He was a 2nd Radio Officer on SS Clearpool from 18/03/1941 and then SS Briarwood 18/03/1942 as his records show. That’s as much as I know. He was involved in the Arctic Convoys as he told us he reached Murmask but never spoke anymore about it.
Family tales say both ships he were on were bombed, but I struggle to find any record of this, and yet he had shrapnel in his head until the day he passed. ( he used to make me feel it ) I know he was in a bad way as he was discharged from the Merchant Navy on medical grounds and his parents and my gran went to see him in hospital in England when he returned and walked right past his bed as they did not recognise him.
Any help would be very much appreciated
LikeLike
Hi Sara, Log into website https://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/forum.php and leave all the details you know and what help you require.
rgds Ken
LikeLike
There were 3 ss Clearpools – probably the one you mention was the 2nd one She was built in 1935 & saw action during the 2nd World War. See ” THE ROPNER STORY” by Ian Dear. The book spans the history of the company from 1874 until 1985. The company was finally sold in around 1996. The ship in question survived most of that war but sadly came to grief on the Skitter Sands in the river Humber in mid 1944 & was wrecked.
Kind regards
Mike Rose (engineer with Rodney’s 1962 – 1970
LikeLike
Hi everyone
Delighted to find this photo while researching my family tree. My grandfather was Captain John Eric Roddam. I know the names of a couple of his ships but not the ones he was on that were torpedoed during WW2. Hoping someone can help or might even remember him.
Many Thanks
LikeLike
What were the names of the ship’s he served on?
LikeLike
Hello all, was or is their a plaque any where along Middlesbrough dock area, lots of young and old men left this port to form up in convoys around the UK, my late father Robert ‘Bob’ Casey left Middlesbrough to join convoys, as the great servant of the Merchant Navy Billy McGee would say, these merchant men & lads wore no uniform, contributed much, and payed a great sacrifice and were quickly forgotten, my dad Bob sailed on the convoy O.N.S 5 April 1943, UK to Nova Scotia,
other lads sailed on the same merchant ship “Wentworth” torpedoed between 5th & 6th May,
survivors picked up by H.M.S Loosestriffe a flower class corvette, if any one had a family member on the merchant ship Wentworth please get in touch.
All the best.
Derek
LikeLike
My uncle served with Ropner Shipping for many years his name was Frederick A. Carter (Capt). Any info would be welcome dates, ships. Just looking to fill in a blank in the family history.
LikeLike
Hi, I sailed with your uncle on the Stonepool, the trip was light ship to Paramaribo in Suriname then bowtie for New Orleans then grain back to Amsterdam. I was the electrical engineer, I found you could not ask for a better captain the year 1973 my name is Ian Morrison hope this helps.
LikeLike
Many thanks Ian very much appreciated
Peter.
LikeLike
Hello Ian, I sailed on the Stonepool in 1973 as well, as 5th eng, I was on watch with a guy called Jeffery Surgeson 4th eng for 5 months. I remember a half Chinese/Indian girl who ran a bar in Paramaribo, who the electrician at the out on to me. If that was you, thank you.
LikeLike
I sailed very briefly with Captain Carter. My sole remembrance is this he never greeted.
LikeLike
I sailed on MV Thornaby with Capt Carter 1961 carrying grain from us to Europe I still have my port record book with Capt Carters signature, trip was nine months.
LikeLike
My great grandfather was James Henry Atkinson, I would be very interested in any stories or information about him please if possible
LikeLike
My Grandfather was James Henry Atkinson of Hartlepool, his daughter was my mother Ann
LikeLike
The good ‘Chiefs’ I sailed with in Ropners were: Leo Raudva, Frank(?) Smeatham and Tom Crozier. It was an honour to sail with such men.
LikeLike
John Smeatham……….I sailed with him on the Norse Viking and wouldn’t say it was an honour. Tom (Mad Mick) Crozier, well he was definitely a different breed lol.
LikeLike
Having sailed with John Smeatham on the Wandby where he was at home in the manumatic world I sailed with him again on the Norse Viking. We were all in the control room when the deckies caused a blackout. None of us moved and John did not understand why as the automation did it’s thing and then we moved off to re-set all the pumps etc. The office probably thought it a good move sending the senior Chief to a new ship I thought it was cruel. He spent some time after lunch re-writing the log book in the beautiful copperplate he had been taught at school. While doing Chief’s EK’s it was explained that a court of enquiry was only interested in the contemporaneous record so he was wasting his time as a superintendent could have explained.
LikeLike
Thanks for your kind comments, Tom is still in good health just had first cataract done, been with him today for check up and arranged next eye. He’s 95 and still drives around Carlisle! Best wishes Mike Crozier
LikeLike
I sailed with Tom Crozier (CE) we use to call him Yazoo! don’t ask me why?
LikeLike
My mother’s cousin, Margaret Ann Worthy (b.1913), daughter of Thomas Worthy, of Sunderland Bridge and Annie Elizabeth OLIVER of Chilton, married John Stevens Ross (b.1912), in June 1940.
He sadly lost his life on an Atlantic Convoy, September 11th, 1941.
Even sadder was that his daughter Sheila was born 4th Quarter (Dec) 1941, 2-3 months after his death.
Hartlepool Museum Service provided the following information
“From an old copy of Lloyds Register. The Stonepool was built in 1928 by
Smiths Dock Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough. She was registered at West
Hartlepool and owned by Pool Shipping Co. Ltd., ( managed by Sir R. Ropner & Co.
Ltd.). Dimensions etc.:- 4803 tons; 405 ft. long; 53.5 ft. wide; 26.4 ft. depth of hold; 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine.
Lloyds War Losses Second World War vol. 1 (Lloyds of London Press, 1989)
Page 290 provides confirmation that the ship was sunk on September 11th 1941
whilst on a voyage from Montreal to Avonmouth carrying a cargo of 528
tons rolled oats, 7000 tons grain and 115 tons trucks as a result of submarine
action. She had a crew of 49, of these, 42 were lost. Gross tonnage is given as 4815 in this source.
Her position was 63.05N., 37.50 W.
LikeLike
Anyone remember Harry Gilbert? He was an engineer on a couple of ships I sailed on. We were both apprentices. I think his father was a captain with Ropners. We were at SSMTC together about 63 to 66.
LikeLike
Harry Gilbert became MD of Wallems.
LikeLike
I sailed with a chief on stonepool, name Leo Raudva. An Estonian. Good guy and good engineer. Anyone femember him? I think he lived in Brighton.
LikeLike
Hi Paul, Leo was my dad. I’d love to hear any memories you have of him.
LikeLike
You say was: I presume he is dead. I was very fond of him. He told me of his life in Estonia. At 16 years old, he joined the German army to fight the Russians who had turned his land into a slaughterhouse. One incident he told me: after all the fighting and killing, he (16 years old, mind) had a crise de nerf and was banging his rifle on the ground, repeatedly. But, he said, it did no good. Very poignant. A reader like me and a High Tory as I am now but was not then. I honour his memory. If I remember any more, I will post it. If you want my email address Picture Stockton will pass it along if you contact them directly pictures@stockton.gov.uk I have lived in South Africa for 40 years. I hope he lived to see the demise of Soviet Communism.
LikeLike
Hi Paul,
Yes sadly he died in 1989 and didn’t get to see the dissolution of the Soviet Union. I have emailed pictures@stockton for your email address alternatively please feel free to ask them for my email address too. I was so touched to read your post and that you remembered him after all this time, what an amazing tribute. Thank you, hopefully will be in contact soon, all the best Maria
LikeLike
I can’t be sure, but I think the name of the junior who went over the side was O’Kelly. I forget his first name. I had worked by with him for a few days. He had just joined. I was an apprentice. I got to know him quite well. He was a bit of a toper (weren’t we all). His mother, so he said to me, had begged him not to go as she had a premonition she would never see him again. I left the ship, he sailed. He was a very nice guy. RIP Roy(?) O’Kelly.
LikeLike
Mike Rose, in one of his comments, says Barlby, my first ship, is now at the bottom of the Pavific. How and when did that happen and did anyone die?
LikeLike
The BARLBY changed hands in 1968 and was renamed the AGIOS GIORGIS.
She foundered in heavy weather off Inubo Saki, Japan in January 1980, on a voyage from Newhaven to Mizushima, loaded with 25,000 tons of scrap steel.
All 26 crew were lost.
LikeLike
That is a very sad tale. RIP.
LikeLike
I was on Stonepool in (I think ) the South Pacific when we were obliged to change a liner on the engine. Unprecedented! It took 95 hours. Chief Jack Dagg and Sec John Everett. Good engineers. Looking back, it was the most dangerous time I spent at sea. We had two good cards: a skilled engine room staff and about a million square miles of sea room. Minuses were a Force 7 gale. I found out later, that the death rate for sailors was twice that for miners. Nobody told me that when I joined. Still, as we used to say: if you can’t take a joke, you should never have signed on.
Paul Elliott.
LikeLike
Can anybody tell me please if my Great Uncle Robert John Jones is listed amongst those lost on the MV Fishpool in July 1943? He was a Royal Artillery Gunner with the 1st Maritime Regiment and I understand they served as DEMS gunners. We know he was lost in Sicily at this time and my Dad, who is now 87 is finally going to Syracuse to visit his grave and would dearly love to know more about how he died. The Fishpool is the only ship that I have been able to identify as being lost around the right date and I know that 5 DEMS gunners were killed, but I have drawn a blank in finding any listing of casualties. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
LikeLike
Sue, your relative is not listed on the large Merchant Navy memorial at Tower Hill, as he was serving in the Army and not the Navy. The website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, contains the details of several casualties named Robert John Jones who died in WW II. I wonder if this is your relative –
R. J. Jones, son of Henry and Bessie Jones of Dymock, Gloucestershire, died 25 July 1943, aged 28, in Royal Artillery, Gunner in the 1st Maritine Regiment.
If that is him, he is buried in the War Cemetery in Syracuse, Sicily.
LikeLike
Just to confirm your relative was one of the gunner killed from the Fishpool. I am the author of Ropner’s Navy and his name is in the casualty section of the book.
LikeLike
Hi Billy
Where can I get your book please? My grandfather was Captain John Eric Roddam and love to read your book.
LikeLike
My great uncle Mark Martin was a bosun on board SS Drakepool and died March 19, 1927. I was hoping to find some records telling me where and how he died.
LikeLike
Do you know how old he was when he died? The death of a Mark J Martin (born in 1878) was registered in Hull in early 1927. Could that have been him?
LikeLike
Mark Martin was born in Sligo in 1878 and died Mar 19, 1927 making him 49, so that could be him. I live in Canada and can’t make it to the archives to look at original registration.
LikeLike
Peter Quirk sailed on the Stonepool March 1977 to Sept 1977 exellent trip. I am still at sea, Bosun serving in RFA North Shields
LikeLike
My name is Theodorakis Yiacoumi. I sailed on the Stonepool as 4th engineer 18-08-77–25-04-78 carrying grain from America to Russia. I also sailed in the coastal trade on the Thirlby with the same chief engineer, from Doncaster, a great engineer. I got my promotion from junior under him but I can’t remember his name. The captain on the Thirlby was called Tingle, a 1st rate chap.
LikeLike
Hi I remember you on the Stonepool. The Chiefs name was John Baulk.
LikeLike
My Dad is Thomas Michael Crozier 91 years old.
He Joined Ropners in 1947 as a third engineer and retired as Chief Engineer in 1985.
He and my Mam Jessie live in Carlisle he drives his car daily round the city, but refuses to get a computer ! I printed off the messages for him, if anyone rememers him please let me know and ill forward details.
LikeLike
I sailed with your Dad on the lackenby (1973-1974) when we sailed from Camel Laird in Liverpool to Brazil then on to Japan he was one of the best. It is good to hear he is well. My name is Ian Morrison I was the electrician, if only all chiefs were like your Dad.
LikeLike
Tom Crozier sends his regards.
LikeLike
I remember now it was Tom Crozier who promoted me to 4th on the Stonepool. Glad to hear he is still kicking. Sorry about your Mum.
Paul Elliott
LikeLike
Thanks Paul, I’m Just back from dads (he asked me to find some photos of his old ships & I looked on here while passing !), he turned 94 last month still driving & very independent, Best wishes Mike
LikeLike
I sailed with your Dad in 1969 on board a ship which Ropner were managing at the time – we took her from Liverpool round the top to Sunderland for dry dock – she was a right wreck and was owned by the Headlam Shipping company – the name of the vessel escapes me. However, your Dad will live in my memory for ever, he was really tremendous. It is nice to know that he went on until 1985!
Lets see now – I am 66 years old – so your Dad would have been 46 or so at the time I sailed with him. What a lovely memory – remind me to him please, it was a privilige to have known him – God Bless
Mike Rose (ex Third Engineer Ropners 1962 – 1971).
LikeLike
The name was the M.V. Runswick said he was very glad to see Sunderland as the engine driven water cooling pump was completely shattered, he thanks you for your help “on that wreck”
LikeLike
I would like Mike Rose to contact me. I give permission to divulge my email address. Mike, if you read this, I live in South Africa and have done for 40 years: never been back. I left the Merch in 1971. It was obvious to me, and others, that I was not cut out for the sea life. I have never regretted my decision. But it took me years to break the sea habit: a bit like packing in smoking – cold turkey.
LikeLike
HI Paul – nice to hear from you & sorry for the gap of 4yrs. Great old days weren’t they? You sailed with me on the Thirlby I believe.
Regards
Mike
LikeLike
Dads 94 in July, still driving! he’s on his own now as we lost Mum Jessie last year. It would be great if you would like to give him a call for a chat if you contact me, please ask Picture Stockton for my email address and I could give you his phone number.
LikeLike
Hello Mike I was on the Rudby with your dad I was deckboy joined in Amsterdam 1972, the radio officer drowned in Santandare, I’m John Dolan from Workington
LikeLike
I served as apprentice junior eng with your dad – think it was on the Thirlby or Lackenby in the 1970’s what a great bloke he was.
LikeLike
Tom Crozier sends his regards.
LikeLike
Dads 94 in July, still driving! he’s on his own now as we lost Mum Jessie last year. It would be great if you would like to give him a call for a chat if you contact me, please ask Picture Stockton for my email address and I could give you his phone number.
LikeLike
As I joined Ropner’s in 1971 as cadet, being made redundant in 1989.
I sailed with your dad on several occasions, stonepool, thirlby and Appleby.
The later which he recommended me for my promotion to chief engineer. It’s welcome news to hear he’s still running around.
LikeLike
Dads 94 in July, still driving! he’s on his own now as we lost Mum Jessie last year. It would be great if you would like to give him a call for a chat if you contact me, please ask Picture Stockton for my email address and I could give you his phone number.
LikeLike
Just to say my dad Thomas Michael Crozier “Chief Engineer” left us in April 2017. He was always a great story teller and many of the names on this site were in those stories.
LikeLike
Have just revisited this site, sorry to hear the sad news. My condolences to you and the family.
LikeLike
I sailed with your dad on stonepool in about 1969. I was 4th engineer. A good guy and a good engineer
LikeLike
I remember your Dad. I sailed with him on one of Ropners big bulker’s, the Lackenby I think. Ronnie Fidler was there as second engineer. And big “D” (Capt Dekonski) was Master.
LikeLike
My first trip as Engineer Cadet was on Wandby’s maiden voyage to Cape Breton. Your Dad was Chief and he made sure I was back onboard by 10pm, Company orders! I hope that he is still with us.
LikeLike
Can anyone give me any information on Fishpool 1940 please, as my grandmothers brother, Jack Mordey, was lost at sea. Also my Great Grandfather Wyatt was lost in the same incident.
LikeLike
Steve,
My Great Uncle Joe Hugill was Mate on the Fishpool was killed in the air raid and is buried in West of Scotland. I still have his papers. I think I have a news cutting somewhere, I will try to find it and scan on if the system lets me!
LikeLike
Joe Hugill was my father John Hugill’s cousin. Both from Helmsley. Joe was the first man from Helmsley to be killed in WW2 and my father the first to be decorated. I would be pleased to hear from you as I am well into our family history – Picture Stockton will pass along my email
LikeLike
Mick,
sorry I have not got back to you, happy to speak anytime. I live in Whitley Bay, you? Email me at Peteryoung54@gmail.com
LikeLike
Steve, the website of the Commonweath War Graves Commission holds the following information about your great uncle.
John George Mordey, son of George and Grace Mordey of Hendon, Sunderland.
Carpenter on MV Fishpool (out of West Hartlepool), died 14 November 1940, aged 21. He is remembered on the Merchant Navy Memorial at Tower Hill, London, panel 49.
LikeLike
My wife’s Gt. Uncle’s both died during / following the air attack on the FISHPOOL 14 November 1940 They were Stanley ATKINSON (19) and Brother George William ATKINSON (17) of Page Street, Hendon, Sunderland. There is a John George MORDEY who was also from Page Street, listed in my newspaper cutting as a Merchant Navy Casualty killed by enemy action.
LikeLike
What a great site. My uncle James Bonar, was killed whilst serving on MV FISHPOOL on 14th November 1940 on its maiden voyage. Any pictures would be fantastic to show my Dad, he was only a wee boy (6) when he waved his brother off and never saw him again. Thank you!07/03/2012 03:36:14
LikeLike
Hello, my name is Julie Simpson nee Bonar my grandfather Ronald was your fathers brother. My father is Jim Bonar and I have a picture of your Uncle James if you would like a copy , regards Julie.
LikeLike
Hi Julie, how are you? I would love a copy of the picture for my Dad Billy, I remember you and of course Jim and Uncle Ronnie, would be great to catch up, please ask Picture Stockton for my email. I am also on Facebook, thank you xo
LikeLike
My wife’s Gt. Uncle’s both died during / following the air attack on the FISHPOOL 14 November 1940 They were Stanley ATKINSON (19) and Brother George William ATKINSON (17) of Page Street, Hendon, Sunderland.
LikeLike
I served on the MV Bridgepool in 1969 as a Junior Engineer. Would be interested to hear from anyone.16/02/2012 11:21:27
LikeLike
My grandfather served on the S.S BRIDGEPOOL from 11.9.42 until 5.4.43 but not sure if she was the same ship as your MV BRDIGEPOOL. If you know these to be the same I would love a picture. Thank you.
LikeLike
I live in Canada now and its really great to see the photo of the memorial plaque. My Dad went down on one of Ropners ships. The ship was the Walarby out of Hartlepool I think. I presume all of those he knew and possibly the two or three suvivors (not my Dad) will have passed away by now. They probably knew him better than I did. Interesting website – GOOD STUFF.29/01/2012 04:04:47
LikeLike
With regard to information on Charles Pluquet. A Charles Pluquet married Alice Milburn in 1941 in Stockton-on-Tees. They apparently had one known child, Marie Astrid. A copy marriage certificate which will contain such information as ages, addresses, occupation and witnesses can be obtained using these details:- Mar 1941 Distict: Cleveland (Yorkshire) Volume: 9d Page: 1089.11/01/2012 12:24:14
LikeLike
MY GRANDFATHER, WILLIAM JOHNSTON REID – CHIEF STOKER, WAS KILLED ON THE FISHPOOL IN SYRACUSE 26th JULY 1943. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY PHOTOS OF THE SHIP OR THE CREW I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF I COULD HAVE COPIES.10/01/2012 13:33:33
LikeLike
Capt C Tingle was a great man, may he rest in peace.25/11/2011 21:11:26
LikeLike
Ernest Jackson OBE was my step-grandfather – he married his childhood girlfriend after his 1st wife and son died during the war. Our family still have a coronation stool from the time when he and my Grandmother went to Westminster Abbey to represent Ropners.12/11/2011 20:22:19
LikeLike
Oh my lord! I’ve tried for ages to find any details of my Great Grandfather , John Frederick LAPSIEN and his sailing/war years and here it is! Bob Price, I dont think John ever returned to sailing? but it looks like we are related!! Johns daughter, Evelyn was my grandmother. I’m eager to learn more of his wartime life if anyone can help please? 22/09/2011 21:32:23
LikeLike
Amanda, I just saw your post, a year on! Sorry about that. If you are looking in, do get in touch, Aunt Evelyn was my Mothers sister. I have a fair bit of stuff which might interest you!
Amanda, see my reply to your post of Sept 2011…
LikeLike
Hi Bob!! And sorry its taken me so long to reply to your message!…yes please I would really love to know more. I’m hoping you get this message… I don’t how to contact you other than here. Amanda xx
LikeLike
Can anyone give me any information regarding Alexander Vass. He was my Aunt’s father and all she knows is that he died of TB whilst serving on the Wearpool in 1948. It is understood that he was interred at Anofagasta. Any info concering his service, last days and burial would be appreciated. 16/09/2011 21:15:06
LikeLike