SS ALSTER

Written and researched by Paul Hennessey

Acknowledgements ... Dumbarton Library

Images courtesy of Sam Lister

SS ALSTER

Of note ... The specification listed below regarding dimensions plus engine and boiler type are those listed for the Alster at the time of her loss. For further details please see the paragraph below (Rebuild)

Position ... WGS 84 // 52 51 729 N / 001 38 187 E

Official number ... 25317

Type ... Cargo, Clipper bow, counter stern

Built ... 1854

Construction ... Iron

Dimensions ... 213.5 x 25.7 x 14.6 feet (Poop deck 44 feet)

Tonnage ... 599grt

Builder ... Denny & Rankin (Dumbarton)

Engine builder ... C. D. Holmes (Hull)

Engine type ... 2 cylinder compound // Cylinder sizes Hp 28, Lp 52 x 30 inch stroke Power 100hp

Boilers made by ... Baltic Engine Works

Boiler type ... x2 multi tubular cylindrical (Scotch type) Dimensions, Diameter 11 feet, Length 10 feet, Furnaces x2 per boiler

Donkey boiler type ... Horizontal multi tubular. Location on deck

Masts ... x2 rigged for sail

Lost ... 2nd June 1881

Cause ... Collision

Depth ... 30mtrs

Rebuild

At the time of construction the Alster was listed as being 180 .6 x 24.8 x 15 feet. As can be seen from above at the time of her loss she was 33 feet more in length than when she was built. In addition her engine at the time of her build is listed as being of 120hp, this being built by the engine builder Neilson of Glasgow (type unknown), this in turn being 20hp more than the engine horse power she had at the time of her loss. At the time the Alster was built her grt (gross tonnage) was 485. At the time of her loss this is recorded as 599grt, this in turn being 114 more in gross tonnage than when built. There are unofficial records claiming that the Alster was rebuilt and in turn re-engined in 1866. After researching these claims I can find no evidence of an 1866 rebuild.

Further research

As can be seen from above there is obviously no disputing the fact that the Alster did in fact receive a major rebuild, the question is when?? After researching the matter further I have not been able to find a definitive year regarding her rebuild, however there is evidence from official records of the time that could very well support a rebuild being completed in or around 1871. After 1863, whilst listed with her original build specification the Alster disappears off all records and then reappears in 1871 with her new dimensions, tonnage and her new engine that was built by C.D. Holmes in the same year, ie 1871, this being a two cylinder inverted compound engine. In addition I can find no survey reports for the Alster between 1863 and 1871. Can it be assumed that the Alster was laid up after 1863 until such time as she was rebuilt??

Additional In 1876 the Alster was fitted with two new boilers built by the Baltic Engine Works (as listed at the time of her loss). In addition at the same time she had various work undertaken on her engine and machinery. As can be seen, from the time of her build to the time of her loss the Alster was to see some major changes from her original design and build.

History of ownership

1854 - 1872 ... Gee & Co

1873 - 1874 ... Gee & Co / W. Liddell

1875 - 1881 ... W. Liddell

Loss

On the 2nd June 1881 whilst en route from Hull to Antwerp with a general cargo the Alster was in collision with the SS Adam Smith. Conditions at the time were reported as foggy. The Adam Smith was built in 1876 at Port Glasgow by H. Murray & Co. She was 293grt with dimensions of 150.3 x 22.1 x 12 feet. She was powered by a two cylinder compound engine of 60hp. Cylinders ... Hp 21 , Lp 37 x 24 inch stroke. The Adam Smith survived the collision with the Alster and was to have a further 40 years plus in service until she was eventually scrapped in 1927 at Belfast.

Ownership The wreck of the Alster was purchased from it's then owner in 1989 by a local recreational diver The new owner located and raised the bell with the builders name Denny & Rankin and Alster upon it.

Below ... One of the two boilers fitted in 1876 by the Baltic Engine Works. Diameter 11 feet, length 10 feet. Two furnaces per boiler. Courtesy of Sam Lister

DENNY & RANKIN, BUILDERS OF THE SS ALSTER (Dumbarton)

Peter Denny (Of Castlegreen) and Daniel Rankin.

Peter Denny ... 1787 - 1856

Daniel Rankin ... 1786 - 1862

Peter and Daniel went into partnership in 1839, initially operating out of the Woodyard and then Castlegreen followed by the Victoria Yard, this being yard no 101, yard 101 being where the Alster was constructed. The company built in the region of 200 ships during their time of operation, this being between 1839 and 1867. Of note ... Various publications list the Alster as being build by W. Denny & Brothers Ltd of Dumbarton. Peter Denny of Castlegreen (Denny & Rankin) was of another Denny family associated with shipbuilding in Dumbarton, though distantly related Peter had no connection with the shipbuilding company W. Denny & Brothers. Some confusion I should imagine has been drawn regarding the Denny name and in turn the build of the Alster as both Denny families had a Peter Denny within the family and both were involved in the building of ships in Dumbarton. In 1856 the partnership between Peter Denny and Daniel Rankin was dissolved following the death of Peter Denny in February of the same year, ie 1856. By this time James Rankin, the son of Daniel had by then taken up partnership within the company, in turn Daniel and James Rankin continued with the firm under the name of Denny & Rankin. Following the death of Daniel in 1862 James in turn became the sole partner and the head of the company.. By 1866 the company found itself in a very sad state due to a continued lack of orders. In July of the same year Denny and Rankin launched their final ship, this being the 966 ton Indus.

Below ... Diver Barry Lister exploring the midships. Courtesy of Sam Lister

C.D. HOLMES & CO LTD, BUILDERS OF THE 1871 BUILT ENGINE FITTED IN THE ALSTER.

Founded in 1869 as marine engineers. Based on Alfred Street, English Street and Alexander Docks in Hull. Cook Welton & Gemmel ... Due to a drop in trade and finacial difficulties at Cook Welton and Gemmel ship builders of Beverley, Holmes aquired a major stake in the company in 1927.Due to a lack of orders the Cook, Welton & Gemmell yard closed down in 1963. Soon after the closure of the yard it was purchased by C. D. Holmes and renamed the Beverley Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd. In 1973 the yard was taken over by the Dry Pool Group who went into lquidation in 1975. In 1976 the yard was taken over by the Whitby Shipyard Ltd who in the same year changed their name to Phoenix Shipbuilders Ltd. . Sadly in May 1977 a receiver was appointed, this in turn bringing about the closure of the yard and a loss of nearly 200 jobs. In 1979 the engineering works of C.D. Holmes closed it's doors, this being due to a general lack of orders. Of note ... Cook Welton & Gemmell were renowned throughout the world for their construction of high quality trawlers, these in turn being built for customers far and wide. In addition, during their time Cook Welton & Gemmell produced in the region of 160 vessels for the Admiralty. These included minesweepers and tugs.

The Alster today (2023)

Awaiting diving report. Click on link below for 2011 footage on Youtube.

Youtube link Dive on the Alster 2011

Below ... Winch. Courtesy of Sam Lister

Below ... Spoked wheel resting alongside the inner hull. Courtesy Sam Lister

Below ... Diver Barry Lister examines one of the hold areas. Mid image can be seen the hatch coaming. Courtesy of Sam Lister

Below ... A view of a section of the inner hull. Courtesy of Sam Lister.