s.s. 'Heronspool' - A photograph possibly taken during late December 1906 of the steamer built in 1897 by William Pickersgill & Sons, Sunderland for the Heronspool Steamship Co. Ltd. She was of 2893 gross tons and was at this date owned by Messrs. Ropner of Cardiff. Another photograph taken of shipping at Penarth Dock by George Wehrley and another in the series of postcards published by G. Wehrley & Co. A heritage record held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [20200222]

An Unlucky Baptism - Steamers Collide off Penarth - 'The steamer 'Heronspool', owned by Messrs. Ropner, Cardiff, ran into the Norwegian steamer 'Henrik Ivson' to-day between Penarth Dock Pier and Penarth Pier. The former struck the Norwegian boat on the starboard quarter in the mainmast rigging, and the 'Henrik  Ivson' immediately proceeded to the roads, and anchored for a surveyor to inspect her. Both boats were loaded, the 'Heronspool' having left Penarth Dock, and the 'Henrik Ivson' Roath Dock. The latter is a new steamer, and this is her first voyage after leaving Middlesbrough.' - Evening Express [135] [361] 22nd December 1906.

Collision off Penarth - 'On Saturday evening the 'Henrik Ibsen,' which had just left the East Dock, Cardiff, with coal, came in collision when in the Roads opposite the entrance to Penarth Dock with the s.s. 'Heronspool,' also coal laden, which had just come out of Penarth. The 'Henrik Ibsen' was struck on the starboard quarter, where on subsequent examination it was found that four plates had been damaged. The impact could have not been severe, and the vessels must have nearly come to a stands at the time of the impact otherwise one or other would have probably been sunk. The s.s. 'Heronspool' was damaged on the port bow, the hawse pipe being shattered. Both vessels anchored in Barry Roads, the 'Henrik Ibsen' afterwards putting into Barry, where repairs will be executed sufficient to enable her to proceed on the voyage. Mr. C. H. Bailey's workmen have already been engaged on the work and hope to despatch in a few days' time. Meanwhile the Barry Graving Dock Company's workmen are busily engaged in repairing the s.s. 'Heronspool' in the Roads.' - Cardiff Times [019] [361] 29th December 1906.

Was it that 'Henrik Ibsen' or 'Henrik Ivson' that caused the collision and did it come from Roath Dock or East Dock? Also I wonder if the photograph taken by George was just prior to the s.s. 'Heronspool' loading with coal and heading out for the collision in the Penarth Roads which, of course, are not really opposite the entrance to Penarth Dock either! The collision actually occurred beyond the Outer Wrach Buoy, and probably off Penarth Pier. A few years later there was a hearing in Cardiff to sort out fact from fiction : -

A Cardiff Collision - Norwegian Steamer at Fault in Wrongly Passing - ' The President of the Admiralty Division (Sir Gorell Barnes), sitting with Trinity Masters, on Wednesday had before him the case of the owners of the West Hartlepool steamship 'Heronspool' v. the owners of the Norwegian steamer 'Henrik Ibsen'. This, was a claim and counter-claim for damages arising out of a collision between the two vessels in the Cardiff entrance channel at about 11.50 a.m. on December 22, 1906.

The 'Heronspool', a vessel of 3,276 tons gross register, had just left Penarth Dock in the course of a voyage to Genoa with a cargo of coal. The 'Henrik Ibsen', of 4,578 tons gross register, was also outward bound, being on a voyage from Cardiff to Valparaiso, laden with coal and patent fuel.

The 'Henrik Ibsen' had a tug made fast ahead. According to the plaintiffs' case, the 'Heronspool' was the leading vessel, and was proceeding slowly down the Cardiff channel, keeping well to the starboard hand. In these circumstances the Norwegian boat rapidly overtook the 'Heronspool' and attempted to pass on her port side. She came, however, so close, and was passing at such a speed, that the head of the 'Heronspool' was drawn to port. The engines of the latter vessel were at once put full speed astern and her helm hard-aported, but, notwithstanding, she was drawn into collision with the 'Henrik Ibsen', sustaining great damage. The plaintiffs' case was that the Norwegian boat improperly attempted to pass the 'Heronspool' at an excessive speed and dangerously close to her.

The defendants denied negligence. Their case was that the 'Heronspool', which had come down the Penarth channel, entered the Cardiff channel, and proceeded down well on the west side and abreast of the 'Henrik Ibsen', which was to the east of mid-channel. The two vessels continued on their way down, but when approaching the Outer Wrach Buoy the 'Heronspool' began to fall to port. The engines of the 'Henrik Ibsen' were at once put full speed ahead and her tug towed full speed as the only chance of avoiding a collision. The 'Heronspool', however, came on rapidly, causing the collision. The defendants said that the 'Heronspool' failed to keep her course, and was improperly navigated without tug assistance.

Mr. B. Aspinall, K.C., and Mr. D. Stephens appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. F. Laing, K.C., and Dr. Stubbs (instructed by Messrs. Downing and Handcock, Cardiff) for the defendants. His Lordship said he accepted plaintiffs' story. In his opinion, the real explanation was that the 'Herrick Ibsen' overtook the 'Heronspool', and attempted to pass her too close and at too great a speed. He must pronounce alone to blame for the collision. Judgemental according for the plaintiffs, with costs, the damages to be assessed.' - Weekly Mail - [067] [361] - 7th November 1908.

The National Archives at Kew [539] hold the Log Book of the s.s. 'Heronspool' and the following entry for the 19th June 1918 at 8:15 p.m. is taken from this document :

'Whilst proceeding in convoy on the evening of the 19th inst. Pilot and Chief Officer in charge at the time, at about 8 o'clock it was reported that a submarine was in the vicinity and shortly afterwards a very heavy explosion was heard which caused our ship to tremble. The Pilot and Chief Officer were of the opinion that our vessel was torpedoed and action was taken in the way of stopping engines and manning the lifeboats. In lowering the starboard lifeboat the forward fall unhooked, the boat swung around and capsized, throwing five men into the water, three being picked up by another steamer and placed upon our steamer at the Tees entrance. Unfortunately John Coleman, Donkeyman and A. Magenis, Ordinary Seaman were drowned. This matter has been fully reported to the Admiralty at Middlebro.'