Star of Greenland

Abstract

Ship Name: Star of Greenland; Sailed: 1892-1957; Type: Steel 4-masted bark; Built by: Glasgow, Scotland by Charles Connell; Dimensions: 270' x 43.1' x 23.6'; Tonnage: 2148 tons.

Description

Hawaiian Isles, Captain Oscar Kustel, was one of Connell’s later creations and since the ship lasted so long in so many guises, there is quite a bit about the vessel. In 1893 the ship was sold to A. Nelson, Honolulu. Hawaiian Isles voyaged from the UK to San Francisco several times and was witness to the tragic capsizing of Blairmore in Mission Bay. In 1900, Hawaiian Isles became part of the Planters Line fleet operated by Welch and Company in San Francisco, and was admitted into U.S. registry. In 1906, Matson Navigation Co. of San Francisco purchased Hawaiian Isles and in 1910, the Alaska Packers Association bought the ship. Alaska Packer Association, as was their new practice, renamed Hawaiian Isles the Star of Greenland, and Star of Greenland voyaged north to Alaska for several years until the mid 1920s. Star of Greenland was then sold (1929) to Rydbergska Stiftelsen, a Swedish schoolship operation, and as Abraham Rydberg the ship engaged in the grain races to Australia until World War II. In 1943, Abraham Rydberg became the property of neutral Portuguese (Julio Ribeiro Campos) of Oporto, who renamed the ship Foz do Duoro and converted the ship to engine power. Sold for scrapping, the Foz doDuoro was broken up in 1957. During the lengthy career of this ship, it underwent numerous changes in rig and accommodation. Photographs of the ship show it with single topgallants, baldheaded, elongated poop, and several other modifications. The Alaska Packers Association reduced the rig and made Star of Greenland baldheaded. In photographs of the Alaska Packers fleet, this change is quite evident. They also elongated the poop some thirty-two feet—similar to what was done on Balclutha or Star of Alaska. As Abraham Rydberg, the rig was restored somewhat but a navigation bridge was built also. As a motor ship under Portuguese management, the ship became a diesel-powered freighter. In photograph 49a, Star of Greenland is obviously baldheaded but the poop has yet to be lengthened. In 49b, the bridge has been built amidships and the rig changed again. Photograph 49c shows the elongated poop installed in Star of Greenland’s Alaska Packers Association days, and the midships bridge deck installed as Abraham Rydberg. Topgallants and royals are back aboard as well. As with most of Charles Connell’s ships, the lower mast and the topmast are one construction. Photograph 49d is a closer view of the bow in the 1930s as Abraham Rydberg.

Keywords

Merchant Ships, Ships

Citation