From www.castlebar.ie MHAS Website
The Creteboom. In 1922, Stelp & Leighton, a firm of London based ship owners, bought the fleet from the government, and used them to tow barges laden with coal to Continental destinations. The Creteboom spent a lot of her time in the Baltic, and visited the port of Petrograd on several occasions. In 1924, rising costs, port charges etc., made the operation uneconomic and the Concrete Shipping Co. was forced to cease trading. For several years afterwards, the fleet was ’moth-balled’ on the river Wear, and were eventually disposed of. In 1935, the Creteboom, still in very good condition, was bought by the South Stockton Shipbreaking Co. of Thornaby on Tees, and stripped of all her metal parts. Later, in 1937, the hulk was sold on to the Ballina Harbour Commissioners, who had her towed to the river Moy. The Commissioner’s plan was to use her as a sand-stop, but the Moy Fishery Co. threatened legal action, fearing the plan would interfere with the run of salmon into the river. This complication, and the eventual outbreak of W.W.2, caused the work to be abandoned. The hulk, having been there since Sept., 22nd 1937, is now a familiar sight on the river, and a constant source of wonder to visitors. Some technical details. Engine; A three cylinder, 725 I.H.P steam driven engine. Boilers: Two Scotch marine boilers, 11 ft. long, and 9ft. 6 ins. in diameter provided 180-p.s.i. pressure. Fuel: Two coalbunkers placed one on each side of the engine had a total capacity of 80 tons. Length: 125 ft. Breadth: 27 ft. 6 ins. Draught: 13 ft. 4 ins. © Copyright 2003 by www.castlebar.ie and the author |