Tusitala
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Texas Tech University Libraries
Abstract
Ship Name: Tusitala; Sailed: 1883-1940?; Type: Iron 3-masted; Built by: Greenock, Scotland by R. Steele & Company; Dimensions: 260.4' x 39' x 23.5'; Tonnage: 1748 tons.
Description
Launched as Inveruglas, the ship made only one voyage under that name. The Liverpool shipping firm of Thompson purchased the ship and renamed it Sierra Lucena and they put the ship into the India trade. Sold Norwegian in 1904, Sierra Lucena became Sophie and Sophie tramped around the world through World War I. In collision with a tanker in Rio de la Plata, the Sophie lost its jib boom and figurehead. Given a spike bowsprit, Sophie was laid up in Hampton Roads when freights crashed in 1921. Purchased by the “Three Hours for Lunch” club in 1923, renamed Tusitala, the ship continued to languish for lack of financial backing. Finally, James A. Farrell, President of U. S. Steel purchased the ship and operated Tusitala like a private yacht. Doubtful that Tusitala made any money for Farrell, but that was probably not the object. The ship chartered bulk cargoes between Hawaii and the East coast via Panama. Tusitala was laid up again in 1932. She was transferred to the U. S. Coast Guard as a training ship in 1939, used as a receiving ship in St. Petersburg in 1940, and after that, I do not know.
Rights
Rights Availability
Unrestricted.
Keywords
Merchant Ships, Ships