HMS Stoke

[tynebuoy]

1918 C. Rennoldson, South Shields.

[magoonigal]

Ex SOUTHWOLD, renamed 1918.
Minesweeper, Later 'Hunt' Class.
Rennoldson 8th July 1918.
Sunk 7th May 1941 at Tobruk, Air Attack.

Looks like she is at Malta in Kevins Picture.

[Tynesider]

1918 C. Rennoldson, South Shields.

Is that the yard that was down near the now Marine Collage in Wapping Street ?

If it was I never knew they built such large ships but only tugs size, we live and learn!

[magoonigal]

There were two Rennoldson's, J. P. Rennoldson & Sons, South Shields were the Tug Builders and had a yard near the Lawe. In 1916 they had four building berths, the longest of which was 230ft. (Stoke was 231ft.)

Charles Rennoldson served his Apprenticeship with Softley and then became a partner in JPR for 38 Years. He opened his own yard in 1913 and started building Coasters like the AFTERGLOW 936/20 and the TYNE BELL 1,535/20.

According to Amy Flagg, Charles was the sixth son of James Purdy Rennoldson and held strong views on the welfare and co-operative interest of all his employers and instituted a Welfare Scheme to which he gave £1,000.
He acquired on lease from the TIC vacant land in Pilot Street only separated from the JPR yard by a narrow lane leading to Readheads Landing.
The yard was opened in 1914 and an Inaugural Supper was held on the 11th February.
"it was held in the joiner's shop and we had goose. Also there was a party for all the children of the employees and each child was given a toy. So many came that there was no room for playing games in the new Dance Room in the offices, so it was Community Singing and individual "turns" after a munificent tea"
CR died in 1924 and the yard closed in 1930 after having beed classed as redundant by the National Shipbuilders Securities Ltd.
The STOKE was built under the Emergency War Programme and all the Vessels of the class were built between June 1917 and August 1919.
She had a Displacement of 710 tons.
231' o.a. x 28' x 7.5' draught.
She was fitted with twin vertical triple expansion engines, each driving its own screw.
IHP was 2,200 giving a speed of 16kts. (Coal Fired.)
Complement was 73 and they were fitted with One 4" Gun as main armourment.

[northeast]

Full yard list here of course
http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/RennoldsonC.html

[Tynesider]

Cheers guys we live and learn every day !