Gothenburg City Gallery

Christopher Furness was born at New Stranton, West Hartlepool, in 1852, the youngest of seven children. He became a very astute businessman, and by the age of eighteen was playing a major role in his older brother Thomas’ wholesale grocery business, being made partner in 1872.

In 1882 the two brothers decided to go their separate ways, allowing Thomas to concentrate on the grocery business, while Christopher took over the ownership and management of the four steamships their company was then operating.

This was the beginning of what would eventually become the huge Furness Withy & Co. Ltd. empire. As many books have been written detailing the history of this company, its ships and its many subsidiaries, this section will only feature those ships with direct Hartlepool connections.

Some of the ships that were not built at Hartlepool but owned by Furness are listed below as 'a general history'

Official No. 89465: Code Letters JHRK.

Owners: 1884 Christopher Furness, West Hartlepool.

Masters: 1884-1891 James Harrison.

On a voyage from Montreal to Hartlepool with a general cargo Gothenburg City was wrecked near St Mary’s Island, Blyth on 26 June 1891.

Shields Daily News 28 June 1891:

‘During an exceptionally dense fog which prevailed on the NE coast yesterday afternoon the Gothenburg City, said to be on a voyage from Montreal to Hartlepool-with cattle & other cargo, ran aground near to St Mary’s Island & about a couple of miles north of Whitley. All hands fortunately reached the shore in safety & a message was immediately sent to Shields for a couple of steam-tugs with the object of trying to get the steamer off. The news of the occurrence soon reached Whitley & neighbouring villages & there were soon large crowds present including a great number of volunteers & others from a camp at Whitley, with a view to obtaining a view of the distressed vessel. The fog several times showed signs of lifting-but the onlookers were again & again disappointed as it only increased in its density. It was confidently expected that the vessel, which is 2529 tons gross & is managed by Mr Christopher Furness of West Hartlepool, would be floated at the next tide after un-shipping a considerable amount of the cargo.’

Shields Daily News 29 June 1891:

‘The steamer Gothenburg City which went ashore at St Mary’s Island during the fog on Friday night still remains fast among the rocks at that place. The isle was on Saturday a scene of lively excitement. Many of the visitors & residents in the neighbourhood assembled on the mainland & the island to witness the operations going on around the stranded steamer. The evening was very fine & many boats put off with persons desirous of a closer inspection of the vessel. About 7pm some 150 cattle were taken away on board one of the Shields Penny Ferries & shortly afterwards a keel was loaded with a smaller consignment & towed off by a tug-both loads being destined for the Sanatorium at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The vessel at that time was drawing 19 feet at her stern & 16 feet at her bow. Her cargo from Montreal consists of about 500 tons off copper & 500 tons of timber & 500 head of cattle. She was apparently fast amidships, the stern & bow being in deep water. Originally she had been considerably to the northward & had crossed another reef before arriving at her present position, besides swinging slightly round on her central part. She appears to have sustained injury under the engine rooms & has also made a good deal of water by straining. An effort was made by three tugs to get her off in the early part of the day & no fewer than ten steamers were grouped round her on Saturday evening, all of which, except one, left about eight o’clock-shortly after the two cargoes of cattle were removed. The transfer of the fine large animals was accomplished in a very efficient & business-like manner & was watched with much interest by crowds of spectators. The weather was fine & the sea calm & hopes were entertained of floating her off after she is lightened of so much of her live-stock. She is a fine steamer of about 8000 tons burthen & her unpleasant predicament has made the island & its vicinity quite a place of pilgrimage for the visitors at Whitley, Cullercoats & Tynemouth. A good many boats from Tynemouth & Whitley arrived during the evening & quite a brisk trade was driven in ferrying the curios to the vessel-some rowing round it & others going on board. Mr Edward Fry was among the busiest of those interested in the proceedings & many of those who had crossed to the island remained on till the turn of the tide-much amusement being afforded to those posted on the cliffs & shore by the vagaries of waders & jumpers on stepping-stones unwilling to wait for a dry passage.’

On 13 June 1891 Gothenburg Cityleft Montreal bound for the Tyne with a cargo of pit-props, phosphates, 476 cattle & a crew of 44 all told. In intense fog she struck on rocks on St Mary’s Island near Blyth on 27 June 1891. The ship could not be refloated despite most of her cargo being thrown overboard. The cattle were taken off by the Tyne penny ferries and the wood and coal washed up on the shore was collected by the local people for their fires. Reported in the Hartlepool & Stockton Journal on 18 July 1891 the Board of Trade Inquiry found the master in default & his certificate was suspended for three months. No lives lost.

Crew July 1891:

Henderson, John, able seaman

Lewis, William, chief officer

Mathinsen, Sven, able seaman

Simons, Thomas Samuel, engineer