Confusion of names: Greenland whaling = Spitsbergen/Svalbard whaling and Davis Strait whaling= Greenland whaling

Boiling whale oil, probably Amsterdam Eiland, Spitsbergen. 

Mountain left probably Jan Mayen-eiland (Beerenberg).

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Cornelis de Man

People in the 17th and 18th centuries held a different geographical view than people today. This means that when we speak of “Greenland whaling”, “the term “Greenland” actually refers to Svalbard, whereas “Davis Strait” refers to whaling off the coast of present-day Greenland. The Davis Strait is a southern arm of the Arctic Ocean that lies north of the Labrador Sea. It lies between mid-western Greenland and Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada. 

Norwegian fish carrier Dønnland 2011-

Hammerfest, Norway 11 August 2023

Norway-flagged, homeport Sandnessjoen, IMO 9632569, MMSI 257797000 and call sign LCUL. Laid down by AS Rīgas kuģu būvētava (Riga Shipyard), Riga, Latvia with yard number 137 on 15 September 2011, launched on 28 February 2012, completed on 14 September 2012 and fitted out/completed with yard number 190 by Aas Mek. Verksted AS, Vestnes, Norway. Owner Norks Fisketransport, Kolvereid, Norway and manager DBS Consultancy, Ottersoy, Norway. 

Romanian cargo ship Ardeal bound for Italy and France according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 2 March 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 2 March 1940 No. 801 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported the Romanian ship Ardeal of the Romanian Sea service (S.M.R.) passing on 27 February afternoon from here with 6,000 ton grain and a portion of planks from Constanta and 250 ton general cargo of seeds, hemp and hazelnuts from Istanbul via Piraeus, Greece towards Naples, Genoa and Marseille.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

Penguin Oil Refining Company Limited founded according to the Australian newspaper Table Talk dated Friday 7 July 1893

An item reported that a new company was registered on 28 June 1893. The Penguin Oil Refining Company Limited was founded with a capital of 3,000 pound sterling divided in 3,000 shares of 1 pound each. 114 Shares were in possession of

W.H. Newman, 333 Collin-street, financier 50 shares

John Carr, Dixon-street, Malvern, master marine 60 shares

G.H. Johnston, 122 Franklin-street, Melbourne, gentleman 1 share

Victor Elkington, Winchelsea, accountant 1 share

S.R. Groom, Market-street, Melbourne, timber broker 1 share

The new company was “To carry on the business of oil refiners, manufacturers and merchants, commission and other agents, and to manufacture and produce, trade and deal in all appliances having reference to the manufacture and refining of oil, the preserving of birds' skins and feathers, and the treatment and tanning of sea-elephant, seal and porpoise hides.”

French destroyer l’Aventurier 1939-1971

French L’Adroit-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Le Hardi-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Italian Navigatore-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Japanese Fubuki-Amagiri group©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

French T47 B-design©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

French fast battleship Dunkerque©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Le Hardi-class preceded by L’Adroit-class and succeeded by T 47-class. Of the 12 planned units were 7 completed. The Le Hardi-class destroyers were designed to be able to keep up with the fast battleships Dunkerque and Strassbourg and to counter the Italian Navigatore- class and Japanese Fubuki-class destroyers. The design was approved on 10 August 1934. Laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Gironde, Bordeaux, France on 4 August 1939, captured by Germans and to be completed as the ZF&, launched on 20 April 1947, used as an experimental hulk and for sale since 21 April 1971. 

German submarine UB 67 under repair at the Kaiserliche Werft, Kiel, Germany in 1918

A list dealing dated 12 July 1918 reported the status of work on the submarines expected on 14 July. Work started on 12 July. Planned completion on unknown. Description of the work maintenance.Remarks unknown what kind of work was to be done.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 3-11254. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship V.d. Capelle in the Second World War

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication were the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

All guns on board were British supplied in Ireland, no American guns supplied

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficieren 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands. 

British destroyer HMS Mohawk 1906-1919

HMS Cossack, Tribal-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Tribal- or F-class preceded by River- of E-class and succeeded by Beagle- or G-class. First Sea Lord Fisher asked for a 33 knots destroyer in November 1904 and to be fitted out with oil-fuelled boilers and steam turbines. While the design details were left to the individual shipyards as common at the time the were quite what difference in details and appearance especially dealing with the number of funnels. HMS Cossack and Ghurka had three funnels but their sister ship HMS Viking even six. The class had also two masts of which a light mainmast aft. Totally 12 completed. Built under the 1905-1906 Programme. Laid down by J. Samuel White, Cowes, Wight on 1 May 1906, launched on 15 March 1907, commissioned in June 1908 and sold to be scrapped on 72 May 1919. 

Portuguese xaveco Nossa Senhora da Estreia e Sao Francisco 1749-1751

Mentioned between 1749-1751.

Source

A. Marques Esparteira. Catalogo dos navios brigantinos (1640-1901). Lisboa, 1976.

Portuguese xaveco Nossa Senhora da Piedade e Sao Francisco 1744-1750

Built at Malta built 1743 ?, mentioned between 1744-1750.

Source

A. Marques Esparteira. Catalogo dos navios brigantinos (1640-1901). Lisboa, 1976.

American whaler N.P. Talmadge visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 29 October 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 October of the American whaler N.P. Talmadge master Edwards coming from Arctic 1,600 barrels whale oil 22,000 lbs bone.

Spanish torpedo boat T-22 1920-1939

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

International call sign GRSD. Part of T-class preceded by Ariete-class succeeded by German S-boats. Between 1912-1922 were totally 22 of the planned 24 boats built by Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval, Cartagena, Spain based on the French Bourrasque-torpedo boats class design from Chantiers et Ateliers A. Normand, Le Havre, France. Launched in 1920 and scuttled in 1939. Dimensions 50 (maximum) x 5,00 (maximum) x 3.20 x 1.47 metres. Maximum displacement 180 ton. Number of screws 3. Maximum speed 26,00 knots. Coal bunker capacity 1,000 ton. Crew numbered 31 men. Armament 3-4.7cm Vickers guns, 1x45cm and 1x2-45cm torpedo tubes. 

Navypedia claims developed with support of the British firm Vickers and based on the French Cyclone-class of Norman. Building authorized under the law dated 7 January 1908. Harald Fock. Schwarze Gesellen. Torpedoboote bis 1914 also mentioned the Cyclone-class as basic design.

Sources

T-1 class

Lista official de los buques de Guerra y mercantes de España 1925.

American whaler Erie reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the British whaler Toward Castle reported the American whaler Erie, 24 December, 16 months out, 200 barrels oil. 

Whaler Anne reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the British whaler Toward Castle reported the Anne, Christie, 15 months out, 800 barrels oil. 

Whaler Sarah Elizabeth reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the whaler Governor Bourke reported the Sarah Elisabeth, 7 months out, 200 barrels oil. 

British minesweeping sloop HMS Gentian 1915-1919

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Built under the Emergency War Programme of the First World War. At the end of 1914 was the design completed and in July 1915 were 36 ships in 3 batches ordered for the British Royal Navy. British shipyards built an additional 8 vessels for the French Navy. Part of Arabis-class preceded by Azalea- and Acacia classes and preceded by Aubrietia-class. The Arabis-class was just like 4 other subclasses part of the so-called Flower-class, the later also known as Cabbage-class or the Herbaceous Borders. Launched by Greenock&Grangemouth Dockyard Company, Scotland with yard number 376 on 23 December 1915, completed in February 1916 and lost after hitting a mine in the Gulf of Finland on 16 July 1919. 

German blockade runner Feldberg homeward bound in 1942

Transport Number -. Name ship Feldberg (ex-Portland). Company Hapag= Hamburg-Amerika Linie, Hamburg, Germany. Date departure 26 February 1942. Harbour which was left Yokohama, Japan. Date arrival 10 May 1942. Harbour of arrival Bordeaux, France. Deadweight 9,684 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/1419 Ausarbeitung "Wirtschaftsfahrten im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (Zusammenstellung der Fahrten von Blockadebrechern nach Ostasien, 1941-1945).

British merchant ship Dabeattie chartered for the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882

Between July-September 1882 was the United Kingdom in war with Egyptian and Sudanese troops ending in the British occupation of Egypt. The British government chartered between July-August a lot of merchant steamships for transporting troops, stores etc. from the United Kingdom to Egypt including the Dabeattie.

Source

The Nautical Magazine. Fifty-first year. Volume VII. July 1882.

Japanese auxiliary patrol boat No. 2140 cancelled in 1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

No. 1-class patrol boat/Type B ordered under the 1943-1944 Programme to be part of the coastal forces. Of the 280 ordered were just 56 laid down and even a less number finally completed when the Second World War ended. To serve as convoy escorts were the boats also fitted out with minesweeping gears. Based on a traditional wood built fishing boat. With a displacement of 238 tons and as dimensions 93.5 (between perpendiculars)-105. 3/4 (over all) x 20.2 x 7.75 feet. Geared diesel propulsion with 400bhp via one shaft and speed 9 knots. Crew numbered 26 men. Armament consisted of 2/4x1-2.5cm guns and 8-12 depth charges.

American whaling barque Alice visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 29 October 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 October of the American whaling barque Alice master White coming from Arctic 500 barrels whale oil 6,000 lbs bone.

American whaler Gladiator visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 29 October 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 October of the American whaler Gladiator master Turner coming from Ochotsk 3,400 barrels whale oil 40,000 lbs bone.

Belgian inland work boat Eendracht 3

Canal Gent, Belgium-Terneuzen, Netherlands 12-9-2026

Belgium-flagged, homeport Gent, ENI 06105801, MMSI 205571690 and call sign OT5716. 

Dutch East Indiaman Hendrik Maurits 1672-

E.I.C.-chamber Zealand, on stocks by Cornelis Speldernieuw jr. at E.I.C-yard at Middelburg, Netherlands 1672, launched on 21 July 1673, dimensions 160 x ? x ? feet.

Sources

Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde oost-indische compagnie der vereenigde Nederlanden ter kamer van Zeeland. Middelburg, 1759.

Archive V.O.C. 1602-1811 inv.no. 11048. Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie tec. Christiaan Sigismund Matthaeus, Jan Dane, Middelburg, 1759.

F.W. van Stapel. Beschrijving van de O.I. Compagnie. 

Dutch East Indiaman Aardenburg 1672-

E.I.C.-chamber Zealand, bought in 1672, dimensions 128 x 29 x 13 feet.

Sources

Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde oost-indische compagnie der vereenigde Nederlanden ter kamer van Zeeland. Middelburg, 1759.

Archive V.O.C. 1602-1811 inv.no. 11048. Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie tec. Christiaan Sigismund Matthaeus, Jan Dane, Middelburg, 1759.

F.W. van Stapel. Beschrijving van de O.I. Compagnie. 

Former Dutch minesweeper Hr.M.s Roermond M806 -1987

Lemmer, Netherlands 17-10-2026

Part of Dokkum-class paid by the USA under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) and designed by Scheltema de Heere succeeded by Alkmaar-class (Tripartite) minehunters. Laid down by Wilton-Fijenoord, Schiedam on 19 September 1953, launched on 13 August 1955, commissioned on 29 December 1955, decommissioned on 16 April 1987 and now used by the Zeekadetkorps Lemmer. 

Ships coming from the west arriving at Gibraltar according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 25 August 1917

An item reported that between 19-20 August arrived at Gibraltar 1 Italian steamship, 1 Dutch steamship, 1 British destroyer, 1 British steam transport, 4 British steamships, 1 French passenger steamship, 1 Italian steam passenger ship and 1 Norwegian steamship.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Ships coming from the east arriving at Gibraltar according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 25 August 1917

An item reported that between 19-20 August arrived at Gibraltar 1 Italian passenger ship, 1 Norwegian steamship, 1 British steamship, 1 American passenger steamship and 1 American steamship.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Russian dry cargo ship ms Velikie Lukie 1964-

Vyborg or Viborg©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Typ VI- or Vyborg-class built for the Soviet Union, China, France, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland. The figures differs depending on the source. Wikepedia mentioned 31 built between 1961 and 1969 while Caribia claims 34. Built by VEB Warnowwerft, Warnemünde, East Germany or German Democratic Republic in 1964. Dimensions 140.0 (between perpendiculars)-150.7 (over all) x 20.0 (moulded) x 11.6 (depth to main deck) x 0.93 (fore light)-5.46 (aft light)-3.18 (mean light)-8.91 (mean loaded ) metres. Five cargo hold with total bale capacity 15,674 M3 and grain capacity 18,268M3.

German blockade runner Bodensee homeward bound in 1942

Transport Number -. Name ship Bodensee (ex-Münsterland). Company Hapag= Hamburg-Amerika Linie, Hamburg, Germany. Date departure 18 February 1942. Harbour which was left -. Date arrival 18 May 1942. Harbour of arrival Bordeaux, France. Deadweight 11,409 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/1419 Ausarbeitung "Wirtschaftsfahrten im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (Zusammenstellung der Fahrten von Blockadebrechern nach Ostasien, 1941-1945). 

British merchant ship Amethyst chartered for the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882

Between July-September 1882 was the United Kingdom in war with Egyptian and Sudanese troops ending in the British occupation of Egypt. The British government chartered between July-August a lot of merchant steamships for transporting troops, stores etc. from the United Kingdom to Egypt including the Amethyst.

Source

The Nautical Magazine. Fifty-first year. Volume VII. July 1882.

Russian dry cargo carrier Luga 1951-

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Telnovsk- or alsoknown as Tissa-class. Project 650. Built in Hungary in 1951. Principal dimensions 64.6 (between perpendiculars)-70.2 (over all) x 10.0 (moulded) x 5.3 (depth to main deck) x 15.0 (height of mast acorn above main deck) feet. For more details see also Hungarian Ships History

Merchant ship Isaac-Bell chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship Tjimanoek in the Second World War

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication were the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

Armed with 2-2cm guns supplied at Newport News in August 1942

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficieren 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands. 

Russian dry cargo ship ms Jamal 1967-

Vytegrales©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of the Vytegrales-class design general cargo and timber carriers built by shipyards at Leningrad and Vyborg. Built in the Soviet Union in 1967. Several hulls later converted for the Soviet Navy and in the space program. Dimensions 113.0 (between perpendiculars)-121.9 (over all) x 16.7 (moulded) x 8.3 (depth to main deck) x1.27 (light) fore-4.28 (light)-6,77 (mean light)-7.12 (mean loaded) metres. Gross tonnage 4,896 tons. Net register tonnage 2,215 tons. Total cargo capacity bale 7,300 and grain 7,870 M3.

See for instance Russian Ships Info https://russianships.info/eng/intelligence/project_596p.htm

Portuguese sailing vessel Emboscada 1798-1800

Privateer, mentioned between 1798-1800.

Source

A. Marques Esparteira. Catalogo dos navios brigantinos (1640-1901). Lisboa, 1976.

Portuguese sailing vessel Pardal 1797

Privateer, mentioned in 1797.

Source

A. Marques Esparteira. Catalogo dos navios brigantinos (1640-1901). Lisboa, 1976.

Russian dry cargo carrier Turkestan 1959-

Sister ship Andizhan©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Andizhan-class/Design 251/Project 1850. Built by VEB Schiffswerft Neptun, Rostock, German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East Germany in 1959. Principal dimensions 95.81 (between perpendiculars)-104.2 (over all) x 11.40  (moulded) x 7.92 (depth to main deck) x 22.0 (height of mast acorn above main deck) feet. 

American whaler Catherine visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 29 October 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 October of the American whaler Catherine master Hull coming from Arctic 600 barrels whale oil 8,000 lbs bone.

American whaler South America visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 29 October 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 October of the American whaler South America master Walker coming from Ochotsk 3,000 barrels whale oil 48,000 lbs bone.

Russian dry cargo carrier Beltsi 1961-

Sister ship Tartu©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Built by Hungarian Shipyard&Crane Factory (Ganz-Danubius), Budapest, Hungary in 1961. Part of Tartu-clas. Principal dimensions 67.00 (between perpendiculars)-74.54 (over all) x 11.30 (moulded) x 5.32 (depth to main deck) x 24.50 height of mast acorn above main deck) feet. 

Whaler Wolf reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the British whaler Toward Castle reported the Wolf, six weeks out, clean. 

Whaler Mary reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the British whaler Toward Castle reported the Mary, Bowser, 13 December, 17 months out, 1,500 barrels oil.

Whaler Japan reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the British whaler Toward Castle reported the Japan, 19 November, 29 months out, 1,950 barrels oil.

Danish sailing training vessel Georg Stage 1935-

Vlissingen, Netherlands 18 October 2026

Denmark-flagged, homeport Copenhagen, Denmark, IMO 5128417, MMSI 219417000 and call sign OYKL. Built by Fredriksvaerft (Danyard), Fredrikshavn, Denmark in 1935. 

American sealer Patterson in 1803

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 28 November 1803. Master J. Aborn. Built foreign. Tonnage 447 tons. Number of guns 10. Number of men 35. Where and when built Providence, USA. Where and when registered Providence. Owner Munro&Co. General cargo 400 seal kins. Bound for China.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

American sealer Wertha Ann in 1803

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 24 November 1803. Master Gibbs West. Built foreign. Tonnage 104 tons. Number of guns 4. Number of men 14. Where and when built Connecticut. Where and when registered New York, USA. Owner Lawrence&Co. General cargo 1,000 seal skins. Bound for China.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

Container ship MSC Angola 2025-

Vlissingen, Netherlands 18 October 2026

Liberia-flagged, homeport Monrovia, IMO 9978729, MMSI 636024884 and call sign 5LUT5. Built in 2025. 

British sealer Dart in 1803

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 21 October 1803. Brig. Master D. McLennan. Built foreign. Tonnage 173 tons. Number of guns 2. Number of men 16. Where and when built France. Where and when registered London. Owner J. M’Kenzie. General cargo 2,100 seal skins. Bound for coast of Peru.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

British whaler Albion in 1803

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 30 August 1803. Master Eber Bunker. Built British. Tonnage 362 tons. Number of guns 10. Number of men 26. Where and when built Deptford, England. Where and when registered London. Owner Messrs. Champions. General cargo  600 barrel oil. Bound for whaling.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

Dutch chemical/oil products tanker (ex-Elka 5 2012, Oralina 2012) Oraluna 2012-

Vlissingen, Netherlands 18 October 2026

Portugal/Madeira-flagged, IMO 9537094, MMSI 255806227 and call sign CQAN9. Built by Xixiakou Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Rongcheng, China in 2012. Owner GTM Belgium BV, manager South End Tanker Management BV, both at Dordrecht, Netherlands.Cyprus-flagged in 2012, Gibraltar-flagged in 2012, Netherlands-flagged in 2021 and 2022, Madeira flagged in 2021 and since 2022. 

British whaler Venus in 1803

Fishermen in boats have been attacking a whale but one boat is upset and a man is falling out. Coloured engraving by F. Duncan after W.J. Huggins 1834

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 18 May 1803. Master B. Gardener. Built British. Tonnage 295 tons. Number of guns 10. Number of men 24. Where and when built Deptford, England. Where and when registered London, England. Owner Messrs. Champions. General cargo 1,400 barrels sperm oil. Bound for England.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

British whaler Greenwich in 1803

Fishermen in boats have been attacking a whale but one boat is upset and a man is falling out. Coloured engraving by F. Duncan after W.J. Huggins 1834

Cleared outwards from Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 18 May 1803. Master Alex’r Laws. Built British. Tonnage 338 tons. Number of guns 2. Number of men 24. Where and when built London, England. Where and when registered London. Owner Messrs. Enderbys. General cargo 209 tons sperm oil. Bound for England.

Source

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

Italian car carrier Grande Michigan 2026-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16 October 2026

Italy-flagged, IMO 1028865, MMSI 247416500 and call sign IBKC. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries, Jiangsu, China in 2026. Owner Grimaldi Euromed SpA. 

British merchant ship Redpool delivering war stores in Turkey and Romania according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 2 March 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 2 March 1940 No. 801 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 23 February the British ship Reedpool for account of the Cunard Line was in the evening of 21 February ready with unloading at Derince and arrived the morning of the next day in Istanbul in the roads of Hayderpaşa to unload more war stores. Until now not possible due to the storm but probably tomorrow. On 28 February was reported that she unloaded at Hayderpaşa and Beikos. A part of the disassembled and stored in boxes aircraft were transported to Yeşilköy and one part via Hayderpaşa towards Eskişehir and Anatolia. On 26 February was the unloading at Beikos completed. Totally were 16 aircraft unloaded. She continued her voyage towards Constanta, Romania with 1,250 ton machine guns, some war stores and ammunition for Romania. The major part of the disassembled and stored in boxes aircraft delivered by England to Turkey was shipped from Australia to Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt and by air via Palestina to Turkey. Responsible was the firm G.&A. Baker Ltd.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459.

German blockade runner Fusijama homeward bound in 1942

Transport Number -. Name ship Fusijama. Company Lloyd Triestino/Hapag= Hamburg-Amerika Linie, Hamburg, Germany. Date departure 7 February 1942. Harbour which was left Kobe, Japan. Date arrival 26 April 1942. Harbour of arrival Bordeaux, France.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/1419 Ausarbeitung "Wirtschaftsfahrten im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (Zusammenstellung der Fahrten von Blockadebrechern nach Ostasien, 1941-1945). 

German oil/chemical tanker (ex-Inge Wonsild 2005-2007, Clipper Inge 2007-2010, Nordic Inge 2010-2020) Birthe Essberger 2020-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16 October 2026

Madeira/Portugal-flagged, IMO 9294692, MMSI 255806320 and call sign CQAZ6. Built by INP Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Ulsan, South Korea in 2005. Owner Birthe Essberger Tankreederei Gmbh&Co Kg, and manager John T. Essberger GbH&Co Kg, both Hamburg, Germany.

British screw steam transport Australian in the Crimean War on 8 December 1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 8 December 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Harbinger”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport -, present position Balaklava, remarks landing shot and shell. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

British screw steam transport Cottingham in the Crimean War on 8 December 1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 8 December 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Harbinger”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport -, present position Balaklava, remarks discharging timber. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

French container ship (ex-Cosima 2004-2005, Norasia Atlas 2005-2006, Letavia 2006, Emirates Freedom 2006-2009, Letavia 2009-2021) CMA CGM Paranagaua 2021-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16 October 2026

Malta-flagged, homeport Valletta, IMO 9246683, MMSI 229635000 and call sign 9HA5542. Built by New Szczecin Shipyard, Szczecin, Poland in 2005. As Letavia owner/manager CMA CGM, Marseille, France. Liberia-flagged, 2005, Germany-flagged 2005-2021 and Malta-flagged since 2021. 

Merchant ship Africa chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship Tarakan in the Second World War

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication were the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

Armed with 6-2cm guns supplied at New York on 23 October 1942

Armed with 1-10,16cm/4” cal 50 L/A supplied at San Francisco, USA on 30 September 1944

Armed with 1-7,62cm/3” cal 50 dual purpose gun supplied at New York on 27 May 1943

Armed with 1-3,7cm gun supplied at San Francisco in January 1942

Armed with 1-3,7cm gun supplied at San Francisco in August 1944

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficieren 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands. 

British ro-ro cargo ship Wilhelmine 2012-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16 October 2026

Luxembourg-flagged, IMO 9539080, MMSI 249239000 and call sign LXWH. Built by Kyokuyo Shipbuilding&Iron Works, Shimonoseki, Japan in 2012. Owner/manager Euroshp Services, Purfleet, United Kingdom. 

Whaler Clarkstone reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the Australian whaler Proteus reported the Clarkstone, 5 months out, 200 barrels oil. 

British whaler Elizabeth reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the Australian whaler Proteus reported the Elizabeth, 7 January, 26 months from London and 2 months from Hobart Town, 1,200 barrels oil.

Whaler Tamar reported according to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser dated Thursday 27 March 1834

An item reported the arrival of the schooner Columbine returning from New Zealand on 26 March. She reported from the Bay of Islands that the Australian whaler Proteus reported the Tamar, 29 December, 3 months out, 100 barrels oil

Dutch suction dredger Vox Apolonia 2022-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 11 October 2026

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Rotterdam, IMO 9867097, MMSI 245256000 and call sign PDSN. Built by Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd., Singapore in 2022. Owner/manager Van Oord Shipmanagement BV, Rotterdam, Netherlands. 

American whaler Norman visited Hillo, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 22 October 1853

Biodiversity Heritage Library

An item reported the arrival at Hillo, Hawaii on 6 October of the American whaler Norman master Chase of Nantucket 650 barrels sperm oil

American whaling barque Heroine visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 22 October 1853

An item reported the arrival on 15 October of the American whaling barque Heroine master Hempstead of Honolulu 500 barrels whale oil 8,000 lbs bone.

American guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius DDG-117 2015-

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Slagelse, Seeland, Denmark 14 October 2026

Part of Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyers Flight IIA preceded by Kidd- and Spruance-classes and succeeded by Zumwalt-class and DDG(X). MMSI 368926407. Laid down by Ingalis Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA on 20 October 2015, launched on 12 November 2016, christened on 8 April 2017, acquired on 22 February 2019 and commissioned on 27 July 2019.

USA transferring submarine and destroyer escorts to Japan according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 August 1955

An item reported that Japanese officers and sailors completed their training at the American US Submarine School in Connecticut. On 20 June they were to take over the submarine (1) lent from the USA under the Mutual Defence programme. On 14 June were two destroyer escorts to be taken over.(2)

Notes

1. Part of Gato-class submarines, laid down by Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut, USA as USS Mingo SS-261 on 21 March 1942, launched on 30 November 1942, commissioned on 12 February 1943, handed over to Japan still unmodified on 15 August 1955, renamed Kuroshio, decommissioned on 31 March 1966, returned to the USA on 31 March 1966, stricken and sold to Japan on 20 February 1971 and sunk as target in 1973.

2. Cannon-class destroyer escort USS Amick DE-168, loan agreement signed on 14 May 1954. Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newark,New Yersey, USA with yard number 284 on 7 January 1943, launched on 27 May 1943, commissioned on 26 July 1943, renamed JDS Asahi DE-262, reclassified as FF-168 on 6 January 1975, handed over to Japan on 14 June 1955, returned to the USA in 1975, acquired by Philippines on 13 September 1976, renamed RPS Datu Sikatuna PS-77, commissioned on 27 February 1980, later BRP Datu Sikatuna PF-5 decommissioned in 1989 and broken up.

Cannon-class destroyer escort USS Atherton DE-169, loan agreement signed on 14 May 1954. Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newark,New Yersey, USA with yard number 285 on 14 January 1954, launched on 27 May 1943, commissioned on 29 August 1943, handed over to Japan on 14 June 1955, renamed JDS Hatsuhi DE-263, decommissioned and returned to the USA, stricken on 15 June 1975, acquired by the Philippines on 13 September 1976, renamed BRP Rajah Humabon PF-11, finally decommissioned on 15 March 2018. Museum ship?

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

Modified Communist Chinese Kronstadt-class escort vessels sighted according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 April 1956

An item referred to a very reliable source suggesting that the Kronstadt-class escort vessels were fitted out with ahead throwing weapons, one vessel was seen on 28 January with a possible squid-type projector mounted abaft the forward gun. Photographs showed an installation (in normal conditions covered) on the position indicated by the source.

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

Japanese destroyer Hanzuki (Ship No. 366) 1944-1947 and American DD-934 1947-1948

Akizuki subclass©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Russian Vol'ny former Japanese Matsu-class Shii©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Akizuki-class or B-class destroyer consisting of Akizuki (Project 51), Fuyutsuki (Project 51) and Michitsuki (Project 53) subclasses preceded by Yugumo-class succeeded by Matsu-class. Of the Michitsuki-subclass to be built under the Maru Kyu Programme as Ship No. 366. Laid down by Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 10 February 1944, launched on 10 October 1944, completed on 26 December 1944, decommissioned on 5 October 1945, surrendered to the USA on 29 August 1947, renamed DD-934 and sunk when used as a target off the Goto Islands on 3 February 1948.