HMY VERONA
The Verona was originally launched as the Imogen in August 1890 from the Fleming & Ferguson’s Yard on the River Clyde. She was originally commissioned by Mr J R Wood of New South Wales as a wedding present for his bride Miss Essie Jenyns.
Miss Essie Jenyns
After her inaugural voyage around the Mediterranean, she was sold in 1893 to her new owner D S Schilizzi. She remained based in Glasgow until her next sale in 1894 when she was bought by K M & N Clark and renamed Katoomba. She was again sold in 1896 to C E & C A Allan and again renamed Tighnamara. She remained in her home port of Glasgow until 1898 when she was again sold to the Countess of Shaftsbury and based at Port Greenock. A year later in 1899 she was again sold to Davison Dalziel and renamed Verona.
A year later in 1900 she was bought bt Col Henry Platt CB who kept her for three years before selling her to Lt Col C Meeking in 1903. He kept her based in Port Greenock for the next 9 years until his death in 1912. The executors of his estate sold her next to Alfred D Broughton in 1913 and he kept her for a year before selling her to Hugh Andrews DL, JP in 1914. He didn’t get too long to enjoy his purchase because following the outbreak of WW1 she was handed over to the Royal Navy as an Auxiliary Patrol Yacht on 7 Nov 1914.
She patrolled as an Auxiliary Patrol Yacht in the Peterhead area during 1914 and 1915 before moving to Cromarty in the Moray Firth in 1916. She sank on 24 Feb 1917 after hitting a mine and sank with the loss of four officers and nineteen men.
THIS MAKES HER A WAR GRAVE - PLEASE RESPECT HER
TAKE ONLY PHOTOS AND LEAVE ONLY BUBBLES
Bibby, Harold Mowbray, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve aged 24.
Son of Alfred and Mary Emma Bibby, of 44 Oxford Rd., Bootle, Lancs.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 23.
Bragg, Reginald Alfred, Steward, Mercantile Marine Reserve.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Doyle, Harry Thomas, Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve aged 33.
Husband of Lilian Doyle, 24 Lower Park Rd. Brightlingsea, born at Kilburn, London.
Commemorated:- Brightlingsea (All Saints) Churchyard, Essex.
Duck, Frederick, Assistant Steward, Mercantile Marine Reserve aged 35.
Son of William Henry and Charlotte Eliza Duck, of 7 Stanstead Rd., Southsea.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26
Kesson, William Fraser, 3rd Engineer, Mercantile Marine Reserve aged 22.
Son of William and Johan Kesson, 42 Park St., Aberdeen.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Laurenson, Robert Dowal, Seaman, 1084l. Royal Naval Reserve, Shetland aged 22.
Son of Alexander and Robina Laurenson, of Norwick, Haroldswick, Unst, Shetland.
Commemorated:- Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 27.
Lowe, William Robert, Signalman, TynesideZ/9579. Royal Naval Reserve aged 31.
Son of John Wardlow and Jane Wilkie Lowe, of 35 Holly Avenue, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Commemorated:- Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 27.
Malcolmson, William, Leading Seaman, Royal Naval Reserve, Shetland Section aged 27.
Son of George and Barbara Malcolmson, of Cunningsburgh, Shetland; husband of Jessie Malcolmson of Sellafirth, North Yell, Shetland
Commemorated:- Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 27.
Marett, Joseph, Fireman, 749862. Mercantile Marine Reserve aged 35.
Son of Frank W. and Jane Marett, of 32 Elm St., Chapel, Southampton.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
McIntosh, Alister Charles Kenneth, Signalman, Z/9578. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve aged 31.
Son of R. Y. and E. E. McIntosh, of 24 Highbury, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Partner in the firm
R. Y. McIntosh & Co. of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Commemorated:- Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 27.
Mclaren, Charles, Fireman, Mercantile Marine Reserve.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Noble, Thomas Herbert, Assistant Paymaster, Royal Naval Reserve aged 24.
Only son of Thomas Edwin and Emily Noble, of 79 Park St., Hull.
Commemorated:- Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 25.
Noel, Phillip, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine Reserve.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Phillips, Edgar George, Assistant Cook, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 37.
Son of Lionel and Mary Phillips, of Church Knowle, Dorset
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Powell, James Sherratt, Fireman, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 33.
Son of Mary Powell, of Liverpool and the late James Thomas Powell; Husband of Sarah Dentith Taylor (formerly Powell), of 4 Wyncroft St., Dingle, Liverpool.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Ruthen, Samuel, Petty Officer, 3586C. Royal Naval Reserve aged 41
Son of Phillip James and Sarah Ruthen; husband of Lavinia Ruthen.
Commemorated:- Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 27.
Salmon, George, Cook, 94002, Mercantile Marine Reserve.
Husband of L. B. Salmon, of 7 Station Rd., Brightlingsea, Essex.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Shepard, Thomas, Assistant Cook, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 30.
Son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Shepard, of 60 Brintons Rd., Southampton
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Steady, William John, Able Seaman, 59556, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 47.
Husband of Elizabeth Ann Hammond (formerly Steady), of 50 Spring Rd., Brightlingsea.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Stephen, Alexander, Carpenter, Mercantile Marine Reserve.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Stewart, George Thompson, 2nd Engineer, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 50.
Son of John Campbell Stewart and Annie Stewart, 3 South Constitution St., Aberdeen; Husband of the late Harriet Stewart (nee Hughes), of “Ottowa”, Woolston, Southampton
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 25.
Thorn, Ernest Nelson, Greaser, Mercantile Marine Reserve Age 34.
Son of Absalom and Eliza Jane Thorn, of Southampton: husband of Mary Ann Thorn of 28 Inkerman Rd., Bitterne, Southampton.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 26.
Wilson, Charles Peter, Commander, R. D., Royal Naval Reserve.
Commemorated:- Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Panel 23.
Information provided by Norrie Moir Dec 2001
She was a revolutionary yacht at her launch and her construction led to articles appearing in “THE ENGINEER” which are reproduced below.
EXTRACT FROM THE ENGINEER 18 JULY 1890
NAVAL ARCHITECTURE AND MARINE ENGINEERING AT THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.
No. 1.
The shipbuilders of Paisley and Renfrew carry off a large share of the honours in the marine section of the Edinburgh International Exhibition. Both of these centres of shipbuilding and marine engineering industries have given special attention to the design and construction of vessels intended for the service of the civil engineer, or for purposes of pleasure. In short they are noted for dredgers and yachts. Their practice is not, however, limited to these types, but, on the contrary, they seem to take in hand anything which comes in their way, from a tug boat to a hopper barge to a luxurious and swift passenger steamer. Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson's exhibits may be taken as representing what Paisley can do in the design and construction both of ships and engines. The models and photographs on their stand relate to passenger and cargo steamers, stern wheel river craft of light draught, screw yachts, tugs and dredgers.
The models of the dredgers are particularly well finished, showing as they do every detail, including the buckets and gearing. One of the most interesting of their exhibits is the model of the 410-ton screw yacht Imogen, just built and engined by them for Mr. J.R. Wood, of Newcastle, New South Wales. Her dimensions are 184ft. by 24ft. by 15ft. and she is built of steel to the scantlings and arrangements required for the highest class at Lloyd's. Her fittings are both luxurious and complete, including as they do a complete installation of electric light. The outline of the yacht is graceful, and her rig is both handy and appropriate. The accommodation provided consists of a dining saloon in the forward deckhouse, a smoking room aft, and a drawing room, stateroom, and a music room below deck. The Imogen is fitted with Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson's patent quadruple expansion engines, to indicate 1000 horse power. They posses several interesting features. Instead of being tandem, as is the case with most quadruple engines, all four cylinders in this case are upon the same level, and consequently they are all easy of access and overhaul. Further than this, the cranks are directly opposite to each other and do not stand at right angles, the result being smoothness of working and no dead centres, besides an almost total absence of vibration. The latter quality is most important and valuable in a pleasure vessel and one worthy of attention in any case. But the feature in this type of engine, which commends it most to the economical ship owner is the smallness of the fore and aft space in the vessel which it occupies in relation to the power developed. Moreover, these engines are credited with a very moderate coal consumption. The SS Singapore, of which a well-finished model is exhibited, is also fitted with these quadruple expansion engines. Indeed it would appear that Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson's engines are rapidly gaining in favour among ship owners, for not only have they turned out fifteen sets of them during the past two years, but they have thirteen other sets in order for vessels being built by themselves and other shipbuilding firms.
EXTRACT FROM THE ENGINEER 3 OCT 1890
THE STEAM YACHT IMOGEN
In our first notice of the marine section in the Edinburgh International Exhibition, which appeared in the ENGINEER of Jul 18 1890, there will be found a description of Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson's model of the screw yacht Imogen, then building by that firm of shipbuilders and engineers at Paisley. The Imogen has since been launched and engined, and on Friday the 12tth Jul, she went upon her official speed trial at Wemyss Bay, on the Firth of Clyde. More than ordinary interest was taken in the trial runs of the Imogen from the fact she was the first large yacht fitted with Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson’s patent quadruple expansion engines. As we have already explained in this journal, instead of being in tandem, the four cylinders of this type of engine are upon the same level, and consequently are all of easy access and repair. Moreover, in consequence of the cranks being directly opposite to each other, instead of at right angles, it has been found that the machinery works almost noiselessly and without any appreciable vibration. This experience was fully confirmed in the case of the Imogen, which attained a mean speed of 14.118 knots, without a moments stoppage or any indications of heating throughout the trials. The absence of vibratory motion and noise was particularly remarked by all on board during the speed runs, and this quality, combined with the small amount of space occupied by the engines, having regard to the power they develop, make the type specially suitable for yachts and other vessels designed for the purposes of pleasure. The principal dimensions of the Imogen are 155ft. by 24ft. y 15.5ft., and her displacement at that draught is 417 tons. The cylinders are 17in., 25in., 31in., and 50in., with a 33in. stroke; the steam pressure on three runs was 160lb., 160lb., and 158lb. respectively; the number of revolutions per minute 96; the indicated horsepower was 1070. By the courtesy of Messrs. Fleming and Ferguson we are able to reproduce a set of the indicator diagrams. The figures work out as follows:-
H.P.Cylinder = 248.4 }
3rd Cylinder = 280.4 } = 528.8 forward crank
2nd Cylinder = 250.3 }
L.P. Cylinder = 292.1 } = 542.4 After crank
TOTAL = 1071.2 I H Power
It may further be remarked that the boiler is 14.5 ft. in diameter and 9.5 ft long. The screw propeller is four bladed with a diameter of 10ft. 2in. and a pitch of 16ft.
UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE IMOGEN