Florence Cooke

O.N. 146926

294GRT

130.1/22.6/9.5

She was built at Hepples yard in South Shields to the order of Cookes Explosives. Their offices and distribution depot, from where explosives were sent to the surrounding coal mines, was at Maiden Law, Co Durham. The increased demand for explosives during the first world war forced him to look for a quiete site to build a new factory, and Penrhyndaedraeth, near Portmadoc was chosen. The factory is now closed.

She started trading in 1923. Her cargoes were raw material to Portmadoc for the manufacture of the explosives then the finished product was carried to the Tyne. She had a hinged mast and funnel which could be lowerered to allow passage up the river to Newburn. The explosives were then taken by lorry to Cooke's depot. The return cargo was usualy household coal though she did sometimes wander further afield in the coastal trade.

There was some passenger accommodation intended for company personel though the Captain could allow others to travel onboard.

She was requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1939 and used as an ammunition ship, first at Milford Haven and later at Scapa Flow. She took part in the Normandy landings and was released from the navy in 1945.

The "FLORRIE" continued on the explosives run until 1959 when it was decided that road transport was more efficient. She was sold to a Dutch shipbreaker though there is a tantalising story of her being seen, minus machinery and accomodation, in use as a dumb barge, trading on the inland waterways.

There is a beautiful set of plans of the ship in C.V.Wain's book Steam Coasters.
 

Sources

Cambrian Coasters by R.S.Fenton

Steam Coasters by C.V.Waine

Sea Breezes

Blas y Mor by Cmdr Penri Davies

Maritime Wales Peiodicals

Chats with Idwal Roberts of Criccieth

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Back to North Wales Coasters