Willemsplein

[shipstamps]

The steamer shown loading ore at the West (Scotia) Pier, Bell Island, Newfoundland, is the steamer Willemsplein, owned by N. V. Scheepvaart Maats, "Millingen", Rotterdam. She was registered in Rotterdam and had a gross tonnage of 5,489, her deadweight capacity having been 9,100 tons. She was 414.3 feet long with a beam of 56 feet, and depth of 28 feet. Built in 1910 by Russell and Company, Port Glasgow, as the Valdura, for the Valdura S.S. Company, Ltd. (Gow Harrison and Company), Glasgow. The Valdura was under Gow Harrison's management until 1927, when she was sold to the Arbor Shipping Company, Ltd. She retained her name under her new owners until 1928 when she was renamed Morus. A year later she was sold to the Rotterdam firm of N. V. Scheepvaarts Maatschappij, "Millingen", and her name was changed to Willemsplein.
The Willemsplein was lost at Shag's Rocks Cove, St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland, on October 4, 1942, while en route from Sydney, N.S. SG265a,228 (SB 10/47)

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Built in 1909-'10 by J. Russell & Co., Glasgow, #604 as VALDURA for Valdura Steamship Co. Ltd., Glasgow (Gow, Harrison & Co., Glasgow) launched on 11-12-'09.
Freighter, Gt:5489, Nt:3459, Dw:9100, Lbpp:126,32m. B:17,07m. D:7,54m. 3 cyl. triple expansion engine of Rankin & Blackmore Ltd., Greenock:538 nhp. (2800 hp.) 11 kn.
In '27 sold to Arbor Shipping Co., London, renamed MORUS, in '29 to N.V. Scheepvaart Maatschappij 'Millingen', Rotterdam (managers Spliethoff) renamed WILLEMSPLEIN.
On 11-03-'35 during a trip from Japan to China in Hainan Street grounded, later by her own means refloated.
On 22-11-'36 with a cargo of ore on its way to Rotterdam at the mouth of the Nieuwe Waterweg to anchor, because of dence fog struck by the pilot boat No.16, after witch se made water, grounded to prevent sinking, later salvaged.
On 18-08-'37 during a trip in ballast from Rotterdam to Melilla off Oporto in collision in dense fog with the ss EUDOXIA, to Lisbon for repair.
On 04-10-'42 stranded, during a trip (under commando of Captain S. Plantenga) from Wabana to G.B. off Shag's Rocks Cove (St. Mary's Bay) near Cape Race, Newfoundland, 3 persons were killed, 07-10-'42 abandoned.
Internet.