Inchbarra Gallery

This section will, in time, contain the stories of more than 450 merchant ships built or owned in the Hartlepools, and which were lost during the First World War. As an illustration of the truly global nature of shipbuilding, these ships were owned by companies from 22 different countries, including more than 30 sailing under the German flag at the outbreak of war.

Masters: 1892-96 F Major: 1898-1902 JB de Larrinaga: 1903-08 Bengoa: 1909 Luzarraga: 1911 Bengoa: 1916-17 J.B. Marcaida.

Telesfora sank after a collision with Edouard Shaki (Edward Shaki) within 50 miles NW of Le Havre on 28 May 1917.

At the subsequent inquiry it was concluded that; “although ordinary marine risks are sometimes aggravated by the state of war, that the collision was not primarily due to the fact that the fires were extinguished partially, but due to negligence of watch service.Les deux navires s'étaient abordés, hors le voisinage de tout bâtiment de guerre et ayant le libre choix de manœuvre.Both vessels were covered, except in the vicinity of a military vessel and having the free choice of maneuver.Les juges attribuent la faute au Telesfora, car celui-ci aurait pu voir les feux rouges de l'Edouard Shaki deux minutes avant l'abordage, et que le retard apporté à la manœuvre qui aurait évité la collision était donc imputable à une insuffisance du service de veille à bord. " Judges attribute the fault to Telesfora because it could see the red lights of Edward Shaki two minutes before the collision, and that the delay in the maneuvers that would have avoided the collision was therefore attributable to an insufficient monitor on board."