HMS SPITEFUL was built by Palmers at Jarrow in 1899. This fine photo was sent to me by the Hebburn scallywag.

For further details see: http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/S-Ships ... l1899.html

Now make up your mind, one day he's His Lordship the Crown Prince of Hebburn, next day a 'scallywag' ... suggest a fulsome apology in the form of a cask of fine sherry, lest we hear no more from our erudite friend (also known as The Father of the River).
Or was it farther ...

A CASK, what's wrong with a bucket.

Must have been hard graft for the Stokers when she was a Coal Burner when on full throttle and most probably they thought her conversion to oil burning was sent from heaven unfortunately HFO is Hell, awful stuff to deal with hot or cold, one Bubble Tray up from Asphalt. Who can forget the harrowing pieces of film showing survivors of sinking vessels shivering and covered in HFO.